PHILIPRISING

FOR German riders it was usually the other way round ... longtrack first, speedway second. And of course the great German tuners who powered the likes of Mauger, Wigg and Tatum to so many longtrack titles were German as well. By all accounts young Riss is very good at the shorter version. I hear that he might ride at Ipswich before the end of the season.

THE old grey matter isn't what it used to be! Bert on the 'sherbets?" You must be joking ... but will pass on your comments

MY thanks too for the constructive and informative comments ... nice to have such a debate on a Sunday. If only it was always thus...

WHAT about a British court? The ACU are affiliates of the FIM. When messrs Briggs, Mauger and Oxley sued the FIM way back in the late seventies, the FIM tried to argue that they were not subject to courts in California. They lost, the California Supreme Court decreeing that as the AMA were agents of the FIM they did come under their jurisdiction.

BUT, hypothetically so please don't try and make two and two make five, what if that suspension was based on a false premise?

HAVING a GP in Australia certainly won't harm his chances

ONLY Pole likely to get a wild card, if required, is Hampel but cannot see him finishing outside of top eight now. Torun should suit him.That would suffice for Polish riders. Biggest problem for BSI/FIM will be if Batchelor gets an automatic spot at the expense of one Swede. Would then need two wild cards for Swedes... Jonsson and Jonasson would be my guess. With Iversen assured of one, a third Dane might get the nod as well. If Batchelor just misses out in the top eight to a Swede he might get a pick but the Joker in the pack would then be Ward. WON'T happen and only one rider (Sayfutdinov) wants to stay on the outside.

VERY slim...

THE Monster rig will be there of course

NEITHER is Emil unfortunately

DIDN'T say that all... there are many reasons why riders are or are not chosen as wild cards and their nationality is just one of many factors.

THAT'S a valid argument and I personally wish that was the case but it isn't.

OH yes there are ... this could run and run.

EMIL and Susi have a very close relationship that goes back to when the Russian started racing in Poland and it obviously works but my own view, having talked to both, is that if Susi wanted Emil to do the SGP he would.

AT a pre SGP riders briefing those randomly chosen by ballot are told they are required to "take an alcohol test."

FAILING an alcohol test ...

TWO very entertaining meetings ... don't think the title winners in Britain, Denmark and even Poland will fancy facing Vetlanda in the 2015 Champions League ... should it ever happen of course.

BELIEVE young Riss is quite keen on speedway... great talent and already a great showman apparently.

THE appeal was against the suspension but does not rule out him challenging the actual procedure in Daugavpils when he appears before the disciplinary committee. One interesting and undoubtedly controversial thought was thrown into the mix last weekend (and I am not saying it is one I agree with). Ward did not ride under the influence of alcohol. Had he ridden and failed a test after the meeting would that be a different offence to the one he is currently charged with? All professional sportsmen including speedway riders are at all times subject to random drug tests, whether at a racetrack or not or even on their days off but that does not apply to alcohol. I can sense another 100 pages looming ... BECAUSE like it or not there are commercial considerations...

CZESTOCHOWA alleged still owe him over two hundred grand ... not much chance of getting it though.

AGREE ... the blunt truth is that there is actually a paucity of top class contenders at present although hopefully that may change. But as of now, is Jonasson better than Jonsson or Lindgren, which British rider is better than Harris, is there a Pole better than Hampel?

WHOSE chances? Assuming that Hampel stays in top eight, three riders (Batchelor, Jonsson and Lindgren) chasing one place. Iversen will get one wild card, most likely one or two Swedes depending on who gets that eighth place.

VERY much doubt that ... still loves his racing and from recent conversations has no intention of hanging up his leathers just yet

BIT of both but more of the latter...

HAD a chat with the Finland promoters in Stockholm. There are changes being made to the soccer pitch at the stadium in Tampere because Finland will play their home Euro championship qualifiers there. Once that has been done they will set about laying the speedway track ... wider corners, shorter straights. Don't shoot me... I'm just the messenger!