PHILIPRISING

ALLEGEDLY he broke the journey, in both directions, sleeping overnight in his car at the Cradley Heath stadium ...

HOW good a rider has Laguta become. Was in Vojens when he won the GP Challenge to get into the SGP for the first time, where he really struggled. Wasn't easy to interview either. Not surprisingly, spoke no English at all. What a difference now. And a really nice guy too.

WATCHING behind the glass at Plough Lane severely diminished the atmosphere, no smell either, but it was great post-meeting.

THE two bars in the grandstand provided a great social area after the meeting. In those days many of the riders, home and away, would be there. Ronnie Moore always came along, ready for his brandy and coke. One of my best memories of such occasions was when Belle Vue were the visitors and two of speedway's greatest ever characters, Chris Pussy and Alan Wilkinson, kept me entertained until closing time. Happy times ... It was around that time that I ghosted speedway columns for Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Peter Collins, Ray Wilson and Chris Pusey which were syndicated to many local newspapers across Britain. Chris used to provide some great copy!

Royal Mail deliveries are, sadly, very erratic these days as many have previously posted here. It is frustrating for us, having paid for first class mail, but it is out of our control. Sorry ...

No...

NO roof or seating for 40,000

FULL preview of the Polish season including fixtures, team line-ups, etc in Speedway Star this week

SOME branches of Tesco, Sainsbury, Morrison, McColl's and many newsagents but cannot give you a definite list.

You may be right about when MR joined. Did he work with you John when we were in that appalling office just off Ludgate Hill? It was certainly Jack Rollin (who I took over from as Editor of World Soccer in 1970) who went to Malmo, the first World Final held in Sweden.

IT was Jack Rollin, Assistant Editor (later Editor) of World Soccer who went to Malmo. Martin Rogers wasn't at SS at that time. In fact, seem to remember that he didn't join until Paul Parish was Editor.

BECAUSE without furloughing staff we would go out of business... pronto!

IF, and still an if, an eight SGP series takes place in Poland it will probably be in September. All sorts of rumours, including four successive race nights (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) ... but lots of bridges still to be crossed. However, staging all the meetings in one country makes logistical sense not just for the riders but TV, officials, etc.

THINK the huge cost of staging a SGP in Warsaw, even with a full house, would be prohibitive

THURSDAY

VIEWING figures for televised speedway meetings between 80 and 100 thousand

IT will be on Premier Sports. For more information about streaming go to the International World Speedway section here on the bsf ...Poland Extraleague, etc

SPECIAL eight-page preview of the Polish season in Speedway Star this week ...

SPECIAL eight-page preview of the Polish season in Speedway Star this week ...

NO idea but that's like comparing apples and pears

PITY they don't get KT and NP on board...

APART from Cardiff, what events are BSI hanging onto money from? IMG, like so many companies (including Pinegen, publishers of SS) have furloughed much of their staff. IMG run about 700 events in a normal year. BSI boss Paul Bellamy along with a skeleton staff is working his socks off to ty and salvage some sort of calendar for both speedway and rallycross while frequently having to battle either the FIM or the FIA. It may seem easy but it certainly isn't and the safety of personnel required at events is paramount. Personally, I think there will be a number of SGPs later this year. Whether or not they are behind closed doors or with restricted attendance is still up in the air.

PERSONALLY think the atmosphere at Cardiff is as good as Warsaw even with a few thousands less fans. Much of that is due to the compact nature of the Principality with the roof closed.

AS a young journalist, mainy covering soccer but helping out on the speedway scene at Wimbledon, had lots of dealings with 'Mr' Greene, as he always insisted upon being called on Plough Lane race nights. He was a stickler for formalities ... not least the manner in which the track graders marched out before meeting. Always immaculately dressed, including his trilby hat. Set the bar high as a promoter and his word was his bond. But away from the stadium, where I often encountered him at West Ham (he was a co-promoter) he was entirely different. Bought me many a drink. It was almost Jekyll and Hyde. Enjoyed his company, old school and a true gentleman which meant something in those days. Feared? No, but certainly respected and with good reason.

OKAY thanks...