Kelvin Tatum is embroiled in a blazing row in his bid to win the world long-track title for the fourth time.

Tatum kept alive his championship hopes by winning last week's Grand Prix in Germany but then had the victory sensationally taken away from him.

An hour and 15 minutes later, the final race was awarded to Tatum's big rival, Gerd Riss, and the Sussex star was relegated to sixth place.

Now, after talks with his legal team, Tatum has lodged an appeal with the FIM's international jury in Switzerland ahead of tonight's shoot-out in the last round of the world championship in France.

Explained Tatum: "I could not believe what happened in Germany.

"The referee said he saw no problem with the result but told us the matter had been taken out of his hands."

Riss complained after he had been beaten by Tatum that a cameraman had impeded his view at the start of the race.

"The jury members then went into a huddle and eventually decided the race should be rerun.

"We made an official protest against the decision, but that was turned down."

Tatum refused to take part in the rerun, which Riss went on to win on his home track at Herxheim, near Frankfurt.

The Horsham racer was placed last of the six finalists. Fellow Brit Paul Hurry failed to make the final.

Tatum said: "I refused to ride again because as far as I was concerned I had won, and the meeting was over.

"If I had taken part in the rerun, I would have been condoning the decision."

If the result of the meeting, with Riss as the winner, is allowed to stand, the world title has effectively been handed to the German rider.

Tatum's only hope now is to win tonight's Grand Prix at Morizes, near Bordeaux, and for the FIM to uphold his protest against the result in Germany.

As things stand, Riss cannot now be caught in the championship.

If Tatum wins in France, however, and Riss finishes third, they would be level on points, providing Tatum is reinstated as the winner at Herxheim.

Tatum added: "At this point in time, we have got to go for it.

"Riss is not a dominant force in France, and if he finishes outside the top three the title is still there to be won."

The former Eastbourne and England speedway star believes the jury's decision to restage the final in Germany sets a dangerous precedent.

"Riss didn't miss the start. We were neck and neck going into the first corner, and he was ahead of four other riders.

"So whatever happened I can't see that he had anything to complain about.

"Riders say things in the heat of the moment, and he was probably letting off steam because I had beaten him.

"I don't suppose he thought for one moment his protest would come to anything.

"The jury should have thrown it out, and that would have been the end of the matter."

Tatum decided to fight the decision after speaking to his lawyers.

The appeal, at an initial cost of 2,000 Swiss francs, had to be lodged by yesterday and was sent by courier to the FIM headquarters in Geneva.

Tatum said: "I don't know what will happen now, but it should be a very interesting night in France."