BSI SPEEDWAY, an IMG Media Company, has announced Meridian Lifts as title sponsor of the 2008 FIM British Speedway Grand Prix and 2008 FIM Italian Speedway Grand Prix.
The fifth round of the World Championship FIM Speedway Grand Prix Series (SGP) will take place at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on 28 June 2008 and will be officially known as the 2008 FIM Meridian Lifts British Speedway Grand Prix. The FIM Meridian Lifts Italian Speedway Grand Prix will be staged at Lonigo, Vicenza, on 27 September 2008.
Commenting on the deal, Paul Bellamy, Managing Director, BSI Speedway, said: “We are delighted to secure Meridian Lifts as title sponsor of both the FIM British Speedway Grand Prix and FIM Italian Speedway Grand Prix for the second consecutive year. The company has been a loyal supporter of world championship speedway over the years and we are thrilled to welcome them on board as title and series sponsor for 2008.
“The event at Cardiff will be one of the biggest on the SGP calendar and to add to the excitement the British SGP will be a ‘Super Prix’ with the winner of the FIM Meridian Lifts British Speedway Grand Prix qualifying for the Super Prix Final in Germany and the chance to win a slice of the $200,000USD prize fund – the biggest prize in World Championship speedway.”
Meridian Lifts founder and owner, Andrew Tomlin, said: “Sponsoring the flagship event of British speedway is something that we are very proud to be associated with once again. The Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium is a must-see event and one that never disappoints our company or customers and we are looking forward to further cementing these relationships.”
FIM SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX SERIES (SGP)
The FIM Speedway Grand Prix Series is the individual speedway World Championship. In 2008 the championship will have the world’s top fifteen riders competing over 11 rounds. The Series starts in Slovenia on 26 April and weaves its way across Europe and finishing at Germany’s Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen on 11 October.
SUPER PRIX
In addition to the World Championship, all the riders have the chance of walking away with the sport’s biggest prize. For 2008, BSI Speedway has introduced the innovative Super Prix that has a prize fund of $200,000. There will be four Super Prix events: FIM Sapa Swedish SGP; FIM Dansk Metal SGP; FIM Meridian Lifts British SGP; FIM German SGP, the winner of each of these events will automatically qualify for the Super Prix Final that will take place at Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany on 11 October, following the last heat of the German SGP. Whoever crosses the line first will walk away with a cheque for $120,000USD.
