PHILIPRISING

YOU know that, I know that ... but do the people who hold the reins know that?

YOU are absolutely right. And if I need proof I just look at Speedway Star's weekly sales! And then go and lay down in a darkened room.

NO doubt we will but if the situation is not finally resolved one way or the other would not expect a comment.

NOT sure the full story will be available by press time on Tuesday. Thanks for the above comments.

NIGEL still is but his brief doesn't include making announcements on behalf of the BSPA MC, which is in my opinion a cardinal sin.

WHERE'S the fun in that? _______________ IT was tongue in cheek... get a sense of humour

RECENTLY I was invited to meet a member of the BSPA to discuss their relationship with Speedway Star and, indeed, the media in general. I told him that in my opinion the BSPA had become more of a secret organisation than the Vatican. It is all well and good publishing daily news items, which are fine, but there is no official spokesperson for the BSPA empowered to make official statements. It is only after an AGM that any official announcements are made and then, a few days later, changes are often made which are not made public. They are their own worse enemy in this respect. It is no wonder that the general speedway public are suspicious and often put two and two together to make five because no one says otherwise. Quite often one promoter will say one thing and another something totally different. Many years ago when Martin Rogers, a journalist by trade, was a member of the BSPA Management Committee he would brief the media, and especially Speedway Star, after meetings, some of which was "off the record" but at least we would know exactly what was going on and could do our best to keep the paying punters properly informed. With regard to the current situation with Rye House ... I am sure there are people that know as much as I do, which frankly isn't much. But it is situations like this which the BSPA as an organisation handle so poorly. Of course, they can not be expected to release confidential information but just a holding statement along the lines of "the BSPA are in negotiations with the Rye House management to resolve their current difficulties and in the meantime their immediate fixtures have been suspended" would have been better than total silence which invites fans to draw their own, frequently inaccurate, conclusions. What is not in doubt is that British speedway is facing a crisis the like of which I have not witnessed in over 50 years of covering the sport.

HE was flying through the air ....

AND potentially dangerous ... he could have easily missed the airforce.

BIT harsh really. Temporary tracks in Australia, New Zealand, Warsaw (bar the first), The Friends Arena, Cardiff and, until last night, Horsens have been good. Perhaps the weather played its part yesterday, not an excuse but a reason. Temporary tracks with no natural drainage are notoriously difficult to water under the conditions they experienced yesterday. Often the water will run to it's lowest point (the inside) which can result in gate 1 having a distinct advantage as it obviously did in Horsens.

TWO out of three ...

AND Doyle was a victim on more than one occasion

DIDN'T say it wasn't and neither would they. Track was poor.

HE handles all the temporary tracks. Haven't been many complaints in recent months ...

PROBABLY not

TRACK installation no different to previous seasons

The Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix is roars into Cardiff on Saturday, July 21 with an action-packed fanzone on City Hall Lawn. One of the most exciting events on the World Championship calendar has arrived and there is an exciting day of entertainment ahead. The day starts on City Hall Lawn at 11:00. There is a full day’s entertainment on offer, so make sure you get down there early to soak up the atmosphere and meet other fans from around the world. Jaw-dropping stunt performances, freerunning shows, official SGP autograph sessions, Monster Energy entertainment and live music are just some of the activities in the packed programme. Get your photos taken with the World Championship trophies and Monster Girls at 11.30am. BMX and freerunning stunt performances kick off at 12:00 with a display from the Extreme Bike Battle team. In case you miss them, they’ll be back in action at 12.45, 13.30 and 14:45. BT Sport presenters Scott Nicholls and Natalie Quirk will be on the main stage at 12:15 to give you an insight into what it takes to host a motorsport event live on TV. To get the world’s biggest speedway party started, there will be live music pumping through the fanzone at 11:45, 12:30, 13:15 and 14:30. At 13.45, it is your chance to meet the SGP riders! Double world champion Tai Woffinden will be at the SGP autograph table along with wild card and British champion Robert Lambert and two-time SGP winner Bartosz Zmarzlik. Then it is time to head over to the Monster Energy area for their Rig Riot at 14:00. Greg Hancock, Tai Woffinden, Chris Holder and Patryk Dudek will be on hand to sign autographs, and with Monster Energy giveaways and drinks up for grabs, this is one not to miss! Meet even more SGP riders with a second autograph session at 15:00 at the SGP autograph table. Reigning world champion Jason Doyle will be signing alongside Craig Cook and the British SGP reserves, who are soon to be announced! Throughout the day there will be food and beverage stalls, merchandise and programmes on sale and vintage speedway bike displays. Plus, delve into the technology of road racing and speedway bikes with a Science of Speed presentation brought to you University of Wales Trinity St. David. The fanzone draws to a close when the gates to the Principality Stadium open at 15:30 - then it’s time to head over for live music and more action-packed entertainment in the opening ceremony! Engines start at 17:00. If you still need your ticket to Cardiff, online sales close midnight on Wednesday, July 18. Tickets will also be available on the day from the ticket office near Gate 3 at Principality Stadium. To book, visit: http://bit.ly/2tkfzYO FULL FANZONE LINE-UP: 11:00: Fanzone opens ALL DAY Monster Energy Rig – drink sampling and video games British Speedway stand Vintage Speedway memorabilia on display Merchandise and programmes for sale Face painting ‘Science of Speed’ presentation brought to you University of Wales Trinity St. David Food and beverage stalls 11:30: Photos with the World Championship trophies and Monster Energy Girls at the SGP autograph table 11:45 – 12:00: Live music on the main stage from Supernova 12:00 – 12:15: BMX & Freerunning stunt performance from Extreme Bike Battle 12:15 – 12:30: BT Sport presenters Scott Nicholls and Natalie Quirk on the main stage 12:30 – 12:45: Live music on main stage from Supernova 12:45 – 13:00: BMX & Freerunning stunt performance from Extreme Bike Battle 13.00 – 13.15: Representatives from Team GB & SGP Academy on the main stage 13:15 – 13:30: Live music on main stage from Supernova 13:30 – 13:45: BMX & Freerunning stunt performance from Extreme Bike Battle 13:45 – 14:00: Official SGP autograph session with Tai Woffinden, Bartosz Zmarzlik and Robert Lambert 14:00 – 14:30: Monster Energy Rig Riot with Monster riders Tai Woffinden, Chris Holder, Patryk Dudek and Greg Hancock 14:30 – 14:45: Live music on main stage from Supernova 14:45 – 15:00: BMX & Freerunning stunt performance from Extreme Bike Battle 15:00 – 15:15: Official SGP autograph session with Emil Sayfutdinov, Craig Cook, Dan Bewley & Jason Garrity 15:30: Fanzone closes – time to head over to the stadium!

AND one of the most expensive places to eat and drink

SEEM to remember from SGP visits to the track that gate 4 was always a nightmare.

LOVE watching Bewley ride but some time soon he will need to improve his starting. Know that Kelvin Tatum, one of the very best, had words with Stevie Lawson at the British Final. KT thinks Dan is a little too passive at the tapes, needs too 'explode' when they go up. But it is fun watching him come from the back although as the opposition gets better that will inevitably become harder.

NO matter it is a BSI promoted event

THIS year's event is actually being run by BSI who have basically hired the facility

ONE league (combined PL/CL) momentum is gathering strength ... no 'star' names which to many will be viewed as a watered down product.

THE story goes that the only reason one promoter in the 70s had a Rolls Royce was because it was the only car with a boot big enough to stuff all the cash he was taking on race nights at the stadium, which he only rented. No investment there.

Manchester City Council (MCC) were and still are supportive of the project. They in turn used revenue from the sale of land to Manchester City FC for their training complex. Hopefully a joint venture between MCC and the current promoters, boosted by the staging of major events at the NSS, will help to ensure its future but, of course, there are no guarantees.