ROUND TWO of the Speedway Grand Prix takes place in Leszno, Poland, on Saturday evening. After a dissapointing first round in Slovenia Swindon captain Leigh Adams will be hoping for an improved result at the 25,000 capacity Smoczyk stadium.
SATURDAY will be a special night for the management and officials of Leszno as the Polish track stages a round of the Grand Prix series for the first time.
The circuit proved its worth, however, with the sensational racing it served up during last season's World Cup, an a thrilling GP is expected for round two of the championship.
The European Grand Prix has been a regular round of the series, and has always taken place in Poland, whose 'title' Grand Prix is generally staged at Bydgoszcz. Leszno takes over from Wroclaw, with the Olympic Stadium currently being redeveloped.
As far as rider knowledge is concerned, Leszno has been Leigh Adams' home base in the Polish Extraleague for the last 12 seasons, and as such the Aussie was devastated when he struggled to make an impact in the 2007 World Cup Final.
GP newcomer Krzysztof Kasprzak, so spectacular in that meeting, is the track record holder with a time of 58.4.
Series leader and national hero Tomasz Gollob starts the meeting in Heat 4 with gate three, with Scott Nicholls and Niels-Kristian Iversen on his inside, and Rune Holta on the outside.
Reigning champion Nicki Pedersen will be out in the first race against Lubos Tomicek - who replaces the injured Bjarne Pedersen - Chris Harris and Lukas Dryml.
And Wild Card Jarek Hampel will be all-out to make an impression after losing his GP place at the end of last season - he opens up in a competitive looking Heat 2 against Fredrik Lindgren, Greg Hancock and Jason Crump - whilst Hans Andersen and Andreas Jonsson, third and fourth in Slovenia, clash in Heat 3.
