PHILIPRISING

THE parade of ex World Champions in Germany in 2007 was part of a celebration of the 100th SGP. The 150th will be in Gorzow in June.

THE referee has had a monitor in his box for a long time but the camera angle doesn't always give him a ideal view of the tapes and, of course, he cannot ask for a replay until the race is over. The FIM are looking at various options but the starting gate as we know it has certainly stood the test of time and it was only a couple of instances last year that brought it into profile. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see an improved version in operation at GPs in the not too distant future. But there is always a danger that you can get too technical with these things and as a result they are more likely to malfunction. THAT'S an old chestnut but you have to remember that in most countries other than the UK domestic speedway is actually under the control of the national federation which is in turn affiliated to the FIM. I think I am right in saying that track racing is the second biggest contributor to the FIM's coffers what with income from BSI, riders' licences, inscription fees and so on but at the end of the day it is the federations that determine how that money is spent or allocated. HUMPHREY, we know you are not the biggest fan or BSI or indeed IMG and that's okay but why do you may a sly innuendo like where speedway is 'supposedly' shown on TV. The countries and TV networks that take the GP are easily verified. There is no supposedly about it. ON a bit of a roll ... just got back from New Zealand. BY the way, don't think there is any appetite or intention to increase the number of GPs in Europe. And Poland has already suffered a league wipe-out when the 2010 GP in Croatia was rained-off and staged the following day. But the Poles have flexibility given that they own their own stadiums and have spare dates on their calendars. I really don't see this conflict between GP rounds and the Polish clubs that Humphrey envisages.

THE grandstand was a major topic at the de-briefing. Incidentally, this has nothing to do with Ole Olsen. He is responsible for laying the track, nothing more. The grandstand was erected during the week but there will definitely be something different in 2013.

BUT the SGP doesn't encroach on the Polish league schedules unless a GP is rained-off. In fact, the PZM are quite happy to work with the SGP which is why the 2012 Polish league season doesn't start until Monday. There is no doubt that the decision to restrict clubs to one GP rider was fuelled by a desire to increase competition for places and therefore drive down costs. The Swedish league is unaffected. It is really only the UK and those wishing to run on Fridays and Saturdays that have a problem especially now that Friday practice will not start until 6pm. ANd the number of GP riders racing in the UK in the short term at least is likely to decrease rather than increase.

BUT it is the chance of World Championship glory and racing in the SGP that most young riders aspire to so both go cap in hand. I have spent a lot of time with the current crop of SGP riders on this trip, many in the hotel bar (!) and all will tell you that is the SGP that is what they enjoy the most and they are enthusiastic about it going 'global' as Hancock calls it. Sure league racing is their bread and butter but this is the cream and what they want most in their professional lives. And don't down play the sponsorship deals that many acquire on the back of racing in the SGP and the worldwide TV exposure they enjoy.

THERE are lots of people willing to try so let's not knock their enthusiasm. And, judging by the teenagers I listened to talking to Jason Crump and Chris Holder, the determination is there. Of course it will be a mammoth job finding another Moore, Briggs or Mauger. That will probably never happen but, who knows, sometimes a genie pops out of the bottle. And Britain's record in unearthing another Craven, Collins or Lee hasn't been too hot either. It's a start, nothing more, but at least those trying to rekindle interest in speedway in NZ now have a showcase event to illustrate just what it is all about.

DON'T know about a 'few' but certainly Ward would enhance the series. My understanding (and that of BSI) is that the one GP rider per club rule in Poland will be scrapped next year, not least because it hasn't had the desired effect of saving money. What we need is for the younger riders to step up to the plate and move on to the next level and I would certainly include Woffinden in that.

DON'T think Melbourne is high on agenda for a SGP round. Ideally BSI/IMG would like a 'Buckley' in Australia but on the back of Western Springs one or two other notable venues across the Tasman are beginning to show an interest. Saturday's event has proved a massive fillip for speedway in Australasia and the New Zealand Herald is calling it the "surprise sporting hit if the year." It has already rekindled a lot of interest in this part of the world.

BUCKLEY has no support from the NZ government or Auckland city as yet but if Saturday's crowd can be replicated over the next two years he will probably just about come out ahead. But he has never been in it for the money. There is no comparison with what happened with David Lander in Sydney many moons ago. DOUBT it ... Polish tracks were very anti having Ward as a wild card last year. They wanted a Polish rider in both Torun and Gorzow despite both meetings being sell-outs.

BET your mortgage it will be a Pole!

HIGHLY unlikely that there will be less than 11 rounds in Europe. If Stockholm comes on board my guess would be that it will replace the seemingly fated Gothenburg rather than Malilla. Russia is a possibility too. A three GP swing in March is definitely a possibility and obviously Monster Energy will be pushing hard for one in their own backyard. The hugely positive reaction of the riders before, during and after the NZ GP, and the manner in which BSI in association with TravelPlus handled all their travel and freight arrangements, has undoubtedly made the Grand Prix world a smaller place. After all, you cannot go any further than New Zealand. It is the last year of Leszno's contract although that doesn't necessarily mean that they will not try and renew it and obviously Bydgoszcz would love to get back on the bandwagon.

LOTS of work going on with NZ kids, some of whom look to have genuine talent. They now have first hand experience of what speedway is like at the very top and their enthusiasm and determination to succeed will be that much stronger. These things don't happen overnight but this GP will have done wonders for those working on a youth programme here. And at least they have one....

RONNIE Moore certainly didn't have to buy a ticket. But Ronnie, being Ronnie, sort of wandered off when he got there and disappeared into the crowd. Arrangements had been made for him to have everything he needed, as with Ivan. I played golf with Briggo the day before I left the UK and he just didn't feel up to another long trip to NZ having only left there recently. He will also be going back in April for the launch of a paperback version of his book Wembley and Beyond for which we have written a couple of additional chapters.

DON'T know who told you that. Prepared to bet it wasn't anyone who had ridden it. After yesterday's second practice the ruts on the back straight caused by numerous practice starts were filled in and rolled. A new top dressing is going on today (Saturday here now). But the fact remains that no one can fully predict how a track will react when four guys are screaming round lap after lap. Will the dirt line stay low or go high, which here means very high on the banking. The material being used grades well and can be pulled back across the track. But much rests with the riders themselves. Everyone here, and that certainly includes Bunyan, can make a start and stay in front. But the stage is certainly set for a good start to the series. The weather is lovely this morning and should stay that way. By 4pm the sun should be losing some of its power and that will be no bad thing ... for the track and the fans. There is no cover anywhere. Auckland is proving hugely popular with the riders. Many, including Hancock, Pedersen and Crump are already talking of coming back for vacations. It's a long trip (not quite so bad for Crumpie of course) but well worth it.

OFFICIAL practice went very well, too, and many of the guys didn't even bother to take their full quota of outings. All (bar Bunyan) have just two bikes here but many have five engines! However, it is almost a mile round four laps of Western Springs, flat out all the way, and Sayfutindov, for example, had only two runs today. There was some cloud cover for most of practice and the track, which had been heavily watered beforehand, required only the occasional sprinkle. Still very smooth and all the riders In spoke to on the shuttle bus to the hotel were very happy still. Quite a gathering of spectators there as well. Mostly Aussies it seems who have mounted a mini-invasion across the Tasman Sea. The Monster girls made their first appearances this afternoon ... still trying to get my heart rate down.

FIRST practice session this afternoon - under a blazing sun - went really well and all the riders without exception were in awe of the track. "Best I have ever ridden," said Greg Hancock. It wasn't easy to keep the surface moist today despite one of the best water trucks you are likely to see on a speedway track. The sun here is extremely powerful, especially between the hours of 1pm and 3pm. Tomorrow's session will take place later (3-5) and, of course, Saturday's event starts at 4pm. Looks as though racing will be fast and furious. Ivan Mauger made his first appearance today, spotted Mitch Shirra too and I am sure on Saturday there will be a whole host of former Kiwi stars, such as Ronnie Moore, Geoff Mardon and Larry Ross, here as well.

MONSTER don't do advertising ... their thing is product awareness, getting out and into people's faces. They have a very different approach than Red Bull although I understand many of their top execs come from RB. They have only got involved now because BSI/IMG have the expertise and resources to work with them. BSI have even taken on a young girl, who has a corporate background, simply to deal with ME. They are hugely demanding, everything including placement of logos, etc, etc, has to be absolutely right. But the end product will show the SGP in a completely different light. There is even talk of building their own track in California. These boys don't mess around but they want their pound of flesh so to speak. It is a massive coup for the SGP but the benefits will go much further than that if those running speedway in Denmark, Poland, Sweden and GB make the most of the profile they will provide. By the time the ink was dry on the contract it simply wasn't practical to give the SGP the full ME makeover in NZ so Leszno is where it will really take off.

DON'T worry he will have done more laps than most come Saturday and after a lengthy spell at home in Aussie says he is fitter than he has been in a long time. Just got back to hotel from the track and all the riders are buzzing having seen Western Springs for the first time. All their bikes have been unpacked and reassembled ready for the first practice tomorrow. It's a lovely day here in Auckland and most are down by the harbour taking in the views and relaxing before getting down to business.

WE will get the full monty don't worry but ME don't have quite the same stuff down here as they do in Europe. The big rigs will be coming to a number of GPs and the SWC and the top man in the US is a big speedway fan and their plans are quite amazing. This will be massive for speedway ... trust me!

DON'T think there is any danger of Jason being rusty. He will certainly be less jet-lagged than any other rider of course. Pix of the track are a little deceptive. The material they have used is very light in colour and it certainly won't be slick. Of course, it will be a late afternoon meeting so if the weather stays as it is (sunny but not that hot, around 68 yesterday) the track will be watered frequently. Don't anticipate dust being a problem but the two practice sessions on Thursday and Friday will provide a better indication. of what might be needed. All the containers are now at the stadium, having cleared NZ customs without a hitch, ready to be unpacked by each team on Wednesday morning. There will be a media breakfast at the stadium at 10m on Thursday, with each team allocated their own table which will include members of the Press from NZ, Australia, Poland, Sweden and Denmark and a whole host of TV crews. And speedway as a whole and the SGP series in particular couldn't have a better ambassador than Greg Hancock who will also be giving a talk to around a dozen under 15 Kiwi youngsters on Friday about what it takes to become not just a speedway rider but the best in the world. It will start with a traditional Maori welcome and be followed by the first practice at 1pm local time. Friday's practice will start at 3pm. Media interest here is gathering pace, two riders will be taking part in radio broadcasts tomorrow, four are going on a boat trip round Auckland harbour with two TV stations. SORRY, previous effort got a little disjointed ... it's only 5.30am here in Auckland! DON'T think there is any danger of Jason being rusty. He will certainly be less jet-lagged than any other rider of course. Pix of the track are a little deceptive. The material they have used is very light in colour and it certainly won't be slick. Of course, it will be a late afternoon meeting so if the weather stays as it is (sunny but not that hot, around 68 yesterday) the track will be watered frequently. Don't anticipate dust being a problem but the two practice sessions on Thursday and Friday will provide a better indication. of what might be needed. All the containers are now at the stadium, having cleared NZ customs without a hitch, ready to be unpacked by each team on Wednesday morning. There will be a media breakfast at the stadium at 10m on Thursday, with each team allocated their own table which will include members of the Press from NZ, Australia, Poland, Sweden and Denmark and a whole host of TV crews. It will start with a traditional Maori welcome and be followed by the first practice at 1pm local time. Friday's practice will start at 3pm. Media interest here is gathering pace, two riders will be taking part in radio broadcasts tomorrow, four are going on a boat trip round Auckland harbour with two TV stations. And speedway as a whole and the SGP series in particular couldn't have a better ambassador than Greg Hancock who will also be giving a talk to around a dozen under 15 Kiwi youngsters on Friday about what it takes to become not just a speedway rider but the best in the world.

TRACK at Western Springs looks fantastic. Longer and wider than Ullevi with lots of banking. Greg Hancock arrived from LA this morning and said "this is awesome. If it rides as good as it looks the racing will be so fast and exciting." The stadium is still under going a massive make-over. Nearly 3,000 temporary grandstand seats on the home straight are in place, a new wooden fence has been erected round the whole circuit, a new air barrier is there, even a sophisticated starting gate that hopefully won't prove to be too good to be true. Almost 10,000 tickets have been sold and promoter Bill Buckley says he is amazed. "Our crowds don't normally buy in advance," he says. "They wait until they see what the weather will be like and then make a decision." The weather was fine and sunny today and should stay like that. With a decent turn-up crowd on Saturday the attendance could top 20,000. Fourteen more riders arrive tomorrow afternoon with Jason Crump completing the line-up on Wednesday. ONE for the old Plough Lane faithfuls ... met up with Bob Andrews at Western Springs today. Very chirpy and sprightly. His grandson could be one to start a revival of top class Kiwi riders. Watch out for him...

EARLY days yet ... Monster's involvement will really become apparent at Leszno. It is their European division that has become involved with speedway and where the money is coming from but Monster reps from NZ and Oz will be in Auckland next week and no doubt their American parents are keeping a watchful eye.

NO he doesn't ... think Coca Cola took over the distribution in Sweden. Still has a sponsorship, as do Chris Holder and Antonio Lindback along with Tomasz Gollob.

WORTH a look ... http://speedwaygp.com/news/article/1140/auckland-bound GETTING all the riders' equipment to New Zealand presented a huge challenge and the original plan was for wooden containers that would form each rider's pit bay at the event. But they have evolved since then, metal has replaced wood and the design has changed many times. But, as the photo shows, the final product is proving perfect for the task and the whole process will prove invaluable in the months and tears ahead as and when the series goes further afield.

THIS is the second time we have agreed recently. I am getting seriously worried!