PHILIPRISING

OR maybe they are waiting foir the FIM to make it official ...

I AM sure we would all love to play sport for our country. I was still hoping to make the English soccer Under 23 side when I was 38! But in some sports, and especially speedway, there is a bit more to it than that. Apart from travel and accommodation, who pays for tyres, fuel, wear and tear on machines, damage if incurred?

L:ET'S be clear ... this has nothing to do with IMG. This is firmly in the court of the FIM and it is their responsibility to ensure that the MFU (Russian Federation) send their strongest team to what is, after all, one of the FIM's major tournaments but the powers-that-be in Geneva appear impotent to act. Believe me, IMG have been pulling their hair out behind the scenes, as of course it reflects badly on them too, but they have no authority in this matter. It is no wonder that IMG are in no hurry to have a GP in Russia given all the problems, not least financial, that it would entail. It is easy to throw some dirt at Sayfutdinov but there is a much bigger picture here though I am as disappointed as anyone that a full strength Russian team won't be at Saddlebow Road.

YOU could be putting two and two together and making five. The full story hasn't come out yet ... but hopefully it will.

NOT sure about that ... see http://speedwaygp.com/news/article/447/russian-roulette

ONE question that requires answering is: what are the FIM doing about this? Are they bringing any pressure to bear on the Russian federation that could be where the root of the problem lays?

I DIDN'T say that at all. The old one-off World Finals had run their course... Bradford, Norden, Vojens ... please! And how often would GB be allocated a final now anyway ... once every four years, five, ten? As previously said, I have been lucky enough to attend many top class sporting events (Champions League, Ashes cricket, etc, etc) and the British GP at the Millennium is right up there with any of them in my opinion. Speedway isn't missing a trick ... Cardiff is ideal and from what I gather will continue to be so for a long while yet...

YOU obviously don't go to London much ... which is much more expensive then Cardiff. And, of course, Wembley isn't in London for starters. Nigel Pearson is no more likely to get Talksport interested just because an event is at Wembley rather than the Millennium. In what way is Wembley FAR superior? British national newspapers have absolutely no interest in speedway for many reasons, including a general dislike of motorbikes, and until such time as there is a British 'Tomasz Gollob" will remain apathetic and even that might not be enough.

YOU obviously don't go to London much ... which is much more expensive then Cardiff. And, of course, Wembley isn't in London for starters. Nigel Pearson is no more likely to get Talksport interested just because an event is at Wembley rather than the Millennium. In what way is Wembley FAR superior? British national newspapers have absolutely no interest in speedway for many reasons, including a general dislike of motorbikes, and until such time as there is a British 'Tomasz Gollob" will remain apathetic and even that might not be enough.

TRUST me, speedway will get no more noticed at Wembley than the Millennium. I have been to the new Wembley several times and while I recognise and applaud its virtues to say that it wipes the floor with the Millennium is rubbish. And look at its location... would you like to spend a weekend there?

WEMBLEY was the spiritual home for international speedway and, in its day, one of the world's top stadiums. But, having seen every World Final there from 1962 and covered numerous soccer events, including the 1966 World Cup final, it was also vastly over-rated in my opinion. It has never been any easy place to get to, by road or public transport, the facilities used to be very poor, disgusting toilets, inaccessible bars and food outlets (not that you would want to eat anything) terraces rather than seating for the majority and a race track that wasn't anywhere near as good as many remember through (as you say) rose-coloured spectacles. It did, of course, have a great atmosphere generated by a crowd double that we now get at Cardiff but the fact that you arrived not knowing who would be World Champion and left knowing who was was a major factor too. You are right, there were no World Finals rained off at Wembley but the huge cost of staging a British GP to the standard now required (and I am talking about the overall show here not just the racing itself) almost demands the extra insurance of a roof. But the roof also cuts out daylight and helps generate the atmosphere inside the Millennium which would otherwise be impossible in mid to late June. I have been luck enough to witness many top sporting events around the world and honestly think the current British GPs stand comparison with most if not all. It is also worth remembering that the Millennium authorities enjoy having speedway there and bend over backwards to be helpful and co-operative. I am not sure that would be the case elsewhere and certainly not at the new Wembley where efforts by Barry Briggs to have a permanent speedway museum established are falling on deaf ears.

AS soon as a contract and date has been agreed it will be well publicised... hopefully sooner rather than later.

YES or you can call 020-83351113

WATCHED the whole programme in 3D today ... fantastic, but not always in the manner I expected. It wasn't so much about riders coming out of the screen - in fact the actual racing wasn't really that different from HD - but the different perspective, especially depth, that 3D provides is amazing. Also, must pay huge credit to Sky for their 30 minutes lead programme prior to the parade which I thought contained some superb graphics and computer wizardry along with a terrific interview with Chris Holder. And Jonathan Greene, doing a Martin Brundle, along the pit lane was very entertaining. Sky are street ahead of their rivals in many respects and it was encouraging to see speedway given the full monty by their production teams which couldn't have been better for major soccer events.

WHY? Would appreciate your reasons...

BYDGOSZCZ and Leszno don't even start to compare with either Torun or Gorzow or even Gorican ... but even those venues, magnificent though they undoubtedly are in speedway terms, lack the facilities required for a British Grand Prix. Hopefully the current negotiations with the Welsh Assembly will reach a satisfactory conclusion. It is hard to think that they would want to be responsible for Cardiff losing such a prestigious event and one that brings considerable financial benefit to the city.

THE word at Cardiff over the weekend was that he didn't realise the time it takes (around 15 days apparently) to acquire a visa to come to Britain and left it late, especially as he had to surrender his passport while the application was considered. Speedway riders, especially those outside the EU, require their passports virtually every day. It also appears that the Russian federation haven't been very helpful but hopefully will get their act together to ensure a full strength Russian team arrives at King's Lynn in two weeks.

OFFICIAL attendance was 43,640 which, given the economy, the current state of domestic speedway in the UK and the lack of British riders. is quite remarkable and a great tribute to the loyal fans of the sport in this country. BSI are quick to point out that no matter what they do, and the huge amounts of money they spend ensuring that the whole package can stand alongside any other sporting event held in Britain, ultimately it is the fans who make it happen.

THERE is no doubt that the City Council are well aware of the huge benefits brought by having the British GP there and, as you so rightly say, at very little financial cost with no huge policing bills. It is hard to think of any other stadium (and not just the roof, important though that is) and city in Britain that can match Cardiff which is now, rightly, the home of speedway's premier event.It is no so much more than just a speedway meeting, the whole package stands alongside any other major sporting event in the UK and most of that is made possible by the facilities available at the Millennium, not least the two magnificent new video screens.

THE British Grand Prix requires a stadium with so much more than just a speedway track. For example, over 500 people availed themselves of hospitality on Saturday, many of the corporate boxes were taken. I am sure that given how much BSI want to remain at the Millennium, and how much the Millennium want the event (now rated second only to Wales rugby internationals) a date will be agreed especially if the Olympic committee can be persuaded that the stadium doesn't have to lay dormant throughout June.

BUT, as posted earlier, the Olympic people demand that the stadium be exclusively theirs for several weeks beforehand. Might make sense as far as brand new stadiums are concerned but not with the Millennium. Seems that the rest of the world must come to a halt when the Olympics demand.

IT is because the Olympic guys make a number of requirements that will come into effect weeks before any matches are staged at the Millennium. These are, of course, the "London' Olympics!

THE fact that the Millennium Stadium is hosting some Olympic soccer next year is muddying the waters a little but why would anyone want to go anywhere else? It is a fantastic show at the Millennium with the 23 races the top billing and a crowd of 43,640 says it all. BSI want it there, the Millennium Stadium want it as do the city of Cardiff. Don't panic, I'm sure they will all get it together.

I WILL enquire ...

OPEN to ticket holders from 14.30 on Friday ...