PHILIPRISING

DESPITE some web chatter on here and elsewhere that the FIM have backed down over SGP riders in the SEC there is nothing to support that coming out of Geneva.

BUT did Gollob know?

BECAUSE he accepted his wild card invitation... once the wild cards have been chosen, the riders notified and their acceptance received the FIM add their names to those who have qualified either via the top eight or the Challenge and publish the official line-up for the following year. That's their procedure, whether you or I like it or not. Now, in the light of what has happened this year apropo Gollob, they might wish to change that procedure but as of this year the published line-up was official.

THE FIM have been getting tough with FIM Europe over their deal with OneSport for over 12 months. You are trying to establish a link that simply isn't there. Quite clearly BSI and the FIM wanted Gollob in the SGP otherwise they wouldn't have offered him a wild card in the first place. Therefore, if they were trying to influence Monster in any way (and they weren't) it would be to continue with Gollob to ensure that he chose the SGP over the SEC. My own view (that word again) is that Monster first started to lose a little patience with Gollob during the SWC.

NOT really. I don't think Gollob knew of Monster's decision when he was campaigning for a wild card. How could he? The specific reason he has given for withdrawing from the SGP after originally accepting the invitation is that he couldn't afford to compete having lost such a big deal. So, if he knew that Monster weren't renewing, why would he ask for a wild card? I also don't think that Monster's decision to sponsor Tai automatically meant them not renewing with Gollob. But these are just opinions. I never pretend otherwise even when they might be based on some solid information, which can also change.

APPLE only offer two options and the advice we had is that a six months re-occurring sub proves more popular than a 12 month one.

WAY off target. Don't think Monster's decision was taken as early as markw40 suggests above but no influence from BSI or FIM.

GOLLOB was asked in respect of his record since 1995, his massive contribution to the SGP and the fact that through his manager he made it known that he was anxious for another crack at the WC. The major reason behind his withdrawal is his loss of his Monster sponsorship, which he obviously didn't know about at the time of campaigning for a wild card.

HOPEFULLY this is the case but until the FIM confirm, and they haven't, not sure we can call it official.

FAIR point, thank you, although I would point out that we don't have subscribers telephone numbers

NO (for the hundredth time)...

NONE ...

HPW many more times ... it's HARRIS!

IT would have been up to the Polish Federation to ask him, if they so wished, after being informed by the FIM. The same with the German federation. The FIM say that normal procedure was followed and that eventually the ACU/BSPA were asked to supply meeting reserves and at least one English rider declined before Harris stepped up to the plate.

FOR heaven's sake ... we have been all over this before. It is just the way it panned out, especially after Zagar withdrew. Other riders refused the chance to participate in the Challenge, others declined to go as a meeting reserve. Harris was prepared to turn up at Wimborne Road and watch from the pits. But he got his chance and took it.

AT least when Belle Vue race at the greyhound stadium in 2014 they will see their new home being built...

HE doesn't get a wild card pick. The next in line from the GP Challenge (Harris) will replace Gollob. That's the FIM rule...

PLEASE yourself ... just passing on FIM explanation. Harris will replace Gollob and I thoroughly endorse what Midland Red wrote. No doubt there will be the conspiracy theorists who think that BSI in their perceived desire to get Chris into the series by hook or by crook persuaded Monster to pull the plug on their six figure sponsorship of the Gollob (the real reason behind his withdrawal from the SGP) to accommodate their golden boy. SEE above ...

And there are 12 SGP rounds as opposed to four in the SEC ...

IF Jason Crump had been named in the official 2013 line-up and then withdrew (retired) the circumstances would have been different but he wasn't and (say the FIM) they weren't. BUT he accepted the wild card invitation and was named by the FIM in the official 2014 line-up...

BECAUSE, as far as the fIM were concerned and unlike this year, the actual line-up for the following year's series had not been concluded.

NOT BSI's decision ... it comes from the FIM. And the situation with Jonsson and Dryml was different in the eyes of the FIM hierarchy.

BELIEVE so but it ain't easy on an iPhone in my view....

NOT sure what Emil will do but think the rest will stay with the SGP if they have to ... Nicki Pedersen has made some noises but would his sponsors rather see him at Holsted than PARKEN? He also has Swedish sponsors.... It still remains an un-necessary war but the only people who can resolve it are those in Geneva. Matthew Harding, who a Director at Benfield Greig and was involved in Chelsea before his untimely death due to a helicopter crash, was one of the reasons Benfield Sports International (BSI) got off the ground and while it is true that much of the early funding came from Benfield Greig later on JP bought them out. Benfield Greig became involved because Postlethwaite, who had been Commercial Director at Benneton's F1 team and knew many of those at the insurance giant, convinced them of its potential, especially as a TV product.

THANKS ... SS App now available from the App Store via iTunes but, to be honest, best to stick with Exactly ... apart from anything else its cheaper for the subscriber!