PHILIPRISING

ACADEMIC really. In a rerun both BV riders would have needed to not finish to stop the Aces reaching the play-offs.

WELL put ...Daniel Smith needs to get his facts right.

PARADOXICALLY, too often track preparation is an easy target for cutting costs.

IT'S not a secret but very few seem to make the track a priority. The NSS provides proof that given the right stage speedway can provide compulsive viewing.

YOU are deluded if you think I have any mates at the BSPA

WELL done Chris Morton ... credit where it is due. Never wavered from his determination to produce a great track worthy of the old Hyde Road.

HE did... although talking to Armando Castagna in Gorzow two weeks ago it is now probable. When better than to have Russia as the defending champions. The scoring will be different too. Badgered Armando about changing the name (Speedway of Nations sounds like an 'open' meeting - just call in the Speedway World Cup which is, after all, what it is but with a different format). Also suggested that riders with tape warnings have them scrapped before the semis or final. Nothing worse than a title being decided in a three man race. Of course, if a rider breaks the tapes he should still be excluded but not for a relatively minor offence which could just be in the eye of the referee on the night.

TRANSPONDERS are being introduced along with photo finishes but unsure whether they will be involved in picking riding numbers

NO Gorzow next year apparently. Wroclaw instead. Nicer town, easier to get to but the track inferior to Gorzow in my opinion.

TRUE but they have moved on from there and feel that the qualifiers could become superfluous if riders were just chosen at random.

YOU could well be right. But for a last in his first race (clutch problems) at the Challenge, Lambert would have qualified.

THE big problem is that with the possible exception of Lambert there is a dearth of 'new faces' that would seem capable of seriously competing at SGP level.

TRUE though

VERY tricky now with Vaculik back in the frame. Millik was being talked about but has had a poor season (0 from 4 yesterday) and would tough for him to get the nod rather than Martin. With regard to Madsen, was told over the weekend in no uncertain terms that a rider who does not do the qualifiers will not be considered for a wild card. THE FIM are also desperate to get some new faces in but there could conceivably be one at the most.

HE wasn't fit enough to race on Saturday after sustaining a nasty hand injury. Says it will be a lot better in two weeks time.

HERE is a link to Ronnie's memorial service in Christchurch on Friday ... https://admin.oneroomstreaming.com/email/view/4e9f99147d

HAVE heard Dan has broken a leg, not sure how badly. Massive blow for him and BV with a double header against Wolves on Monday which could have clinched their spot in the play-offs.

ONE of those meetings that was probably better to be at than watching on TV. Great atmosphere with the crowd. Massive downpour before the start, worked wonders to get the track as good as it was. Vaculik has well and truly put the cat amongst the wild card pigeons. Lindgren far from fit. Sayfutdinov strangely subdued, don't think he has much speed. Still Tai's to lose.

I KNOW ... was at Heathrow to meet him. My only excuse, was travelling in Poland when I read Sidneys' question and didn't fully take it in. Honest

WILL get back to you on that ...

THANKS for the comment although, naturally, would prefer not to have to go down that road. Always struck in old photos, like the one of Ronnie above, how the handlebars of their day differ from the modern bike. In years gone by riders travelling by air to meetings across Europe would often take their handlebars with them as hand luggage. Wouldn't get away with that now!

IT is not being ignored. The question is asked on a regular basis but the answers are always the same. So we know as much as you do.

THAT'S more like it ... a proper dream

WHISPER it ... there was a BSPA meeting last Tuesday. Don't think they want anyone to know

PROBABLY the chain guard and chain that David Rowe thought had fallen off Sayfutdinov's bike