PHILIPRISING

IT isn't just Nigel Pearson fearful of future employment - and why wouldn't he be? There is a whole production unit at Sky whose jobs might well be at risk without speedway to supplement the darts they are also involved with. It was actually people within the Sky organisation hoping that Barney Francis might watch (not all obviously) the play-offs and see some value for his money. They, too, have a vested interest as explained above.

18.00hrs

THIS has nothing to do with BSI. They cannot ban riders from anything let alone the SEC. It is essentially an internal conflict between the FIM and FIM Europe. As others have mentioned, cannot see how the FIM can prevent riders from competing in the SEC if they so wish - restraint of trade and all that - but there is certainly concern in Geneva that one faction is over-stepping its perceived authority and must be brought into line.

OUT of curiosity... when were those harder (economically) times?

ALL permanent SGP riders are given a similar sum at the start of the season ...

BY today's standards they were good crowds and probably viable ones, too

OVER the past two Mondays we have been greatly entertained on Sky with terrific meetings from Swindon, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Poole. Last night's fare from Wimborne Road, especially for neutrals like me, was pulsating. Good racing surfaces, good crowds, what more could you want? If British speedway was always like this (an impossible dream I know) the sport would have no financial woes and Sky wouldn't even hesitate about a new contract. What is does prove is that fundamentally the actual product can still be terrific. That's the frustrating part.

CANNOT blame Armando for this. He inherited the mess and is trying to sort it out. DON'T think that's right ...think it was 10,000, around the same as for a GP win (though a max not required) BUT on a level playing field... same inscription fees, etc

NOT sure that too many tracks needed a Wembley hand out ... know one promoter whose sole reason for having a Rolls Royce was the size of the boot. He needed it to cram in all the cash from his weekly meeting!

IS he really Tony Blair... wow!

MIGHT not be that clear cut ... what is? Could be a condition of their licences...

IF true, and I do know that no decision has yet been made, your comment about restraint of trade is a valid one. For starters, while BSI/IMG might be quite happy with such a ruling, it is the FIM who are pushing in this direction. In other disciplines riders are not allowed to compete in both European and World Championships but that is more easily enforceable because the FIM have contracts with teams rather than individuals. Speedway riders are essentially self-employed and their position is very different. There is a huge disparity in the fees paid to the FIM by tracks staging rounds of the SEC as against the SGP (about 17,500 euros a pop) and, of course, One Sport do not pay the FIM the millions that BSI/IMG do. You are also right that there is a civil war going on at the FIM right now and not only on the speedway front.

NOT sure Freddie LIndgren would agree ... but I take your point

SPOKE to him in Stockholm and he said he wanted a break from the SGP.

REALLY surprised at how often Nicki has failed to get the job done this year, falling at the last hurdle. No GP wins and now this.

HIGHLY unlikely

AS soon as the Russian federation confirmed that Sayfutdinov and the Laguta brothers had withdrawn and the FIM were officially notified the announcement was made to all and sundry. The difference here is that Tai officially withdrew from today's meeting last Sunday and yet the organisers were still using his name in publicity blurbs as late as Thursday.

THEY were delighted, as were the stadium authorities, with 24,800 for a first time effort especially with no Holder and Sayfutdinov and a trio of Swedes who aren't exactly pulling up any trees this year. Lots of evidence that many made the trip because of the stadium and that it was in their capital city which they may not visit too often. Also superb corporate facilities which attracted a number of significant companies (including Meridian Lifts of course!) who might be tempted to dip their feet in the water.

ISN'T it time you donated your brain such as it is for medical science?

NO idea what Bruce is specifically doing there but Monster have been keen to bring him over for a while. Couldn't make it earlier in the year because he was attending the trial of the guy who killed his son in a road accident. Have been asked to host a Press Conference at the stadium at 5pm on Saturday. All will presumably be revealed... or perhaps not!

I WOULD find a new source of information if I was you...

JUST like one F1 driver helping his team-mate

WAS a common occurrence for many years in World Championship qualifying rounds.

EXPLANATION?

SKY, I believe, were only interested in the Champions League to the extent that they would have shown the UK legs instead of the usual EL meeting that week ... in other words there would not have been additional TV meetings. Problem with the Champions League concept remains the TV production costs.