Bees waiting on Nicholls verdict; GAME ON: speedway.

Byline: By MIKE BERRY 

THE protracted issue of how much the Buildbase Bees will have to splash out for Grand Prix star Scott Nicholls will finally be settled on May 3.

The Speedway Control Bureau adjourned this week's hearing to determine the fee for the Team GB skipper, but it should go ahead in Rugby early next month - and Coventry are expected to take their place around the table.

Co-promoter Jeremy Heaver had indicated Bees wouldn't be showing up at this week's tribunal, which was postponed due to the volume of paperwork and submissions involved, the short notice period and the likelihood that the hearing will take longer than an afternoon.

That followed Coventry's statement that they were no longer interested in purchasing any more assets after Oxford were permitted to use Greg Hancock and Billy Hamill on loan this year.

But Bees have apparently given their assurances to the SCB that they will attend the May 3 hearing, which has been scheduled to start in the morning.

They really have nothing to gain by not attending. The meeting would still go ahead without them, and a ruling made in their absence. The SCB possess limitless powers to punish clubs who fail to adhere to such rulings.

Ipswich, who insist they are not interested in loaning Nicholls out this year, have asked for pounds 55,000 for their former skipper, but a fairer fee would be nearer pounds 30,000 given that current World Champion Jason Crump cost pounds 36,000 when his move from Oxford to Belle Vue was finally completed during the winter.

The Suffolk club have suggested they may hawk Nicholls around other clubs if Coventry refuse to buy him once the SCB have ruled on a fee.

But talk of Ipswich not allowing Nicholls to ride for Coventry in such circumstances is pure fantasy. Bees would then be in their rights to stop Lee Richardson riding for Swindon, and prevent Oxford using Hancock and Hamill, and that would be a crazy own goal for the sport. It is a scenario the BSPA and SCB won't allow to happen.

Nicholls, himself, has taken a pragmatic view to what has become an increasingly tortuous affair. He said: "I wanted to ride for Coventry in 2005, and that is what I am doing.

"If it has to be on loan for the season, then so be it, but if I become a Coventry asset, then that would be even better.

"There is not much I can do to influence things, so all I can do is get on with the job of riding and scoring points for the Bees."

THURSDAY'S postponed meeting at Swindon has been rearranged for next Thursday at Blunsdon. It means Bees have three matches in five days next week, at Belle Vue in the Air Tek on Monday, at Swindon on Thursday and at home to Wolverhampton next Friday.

CAPTION(S):

MAN IN THE MIDDLE: Coventry and Ipswich are deadlocked over Scott Nicholls's transfer