Search begins for new Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix venues

With Etihad Stadium ruled out for 2018, the organisers of the Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix are seeking a new host venue for this year’s event.

Despite staging the event since 2015, the Melbourne venue will not host the final round of this year’s FIM Speedway World Championship.

BSI Speedway Managing Director Torben Olsen is hopeful a new venue for the event will be found “in the not too distant future”.

BSI Speedway has joined forces with PSE (Paul Sergeant Events), led by former Etihad Stadium Chief Executive Paul Sergeant, who was instrumental in bringing the SGP series back Down Under after a 13-year absence.

Sergeant is also a fromer Chief Executive of Cardiff’s Principality Stadium - home of the Adrian Flux British SGP - and served as Commercial and Stadium Director of Wembley Stadium.

The collaboration with PSE has already seen a number of positive discussions take place with potential venues and host states.

In 2017, Australian fans watched Jason Doyle race his way into the history books when he sealed World Championship gold, before going on to win the meeting in his trademark hard-charging style. They also saw another home hero Chris Holder take a famous victory there in 2016.

With fans keen to hear news on where and when the event will take place, Olsen insists BSI Speedway and PSE are both determined to find a new home for the FIM Speedway Grand Prix series in Australia.

Olsen advises “we are confident that we will have news on another venue for the Australian SGP that will satisfy speedway and sports fans alike in the not too distant future.

“Many Australian fans enjoyed the fantastic venue at Etihad Stadium, and we are keen to follow with a destination and stadium that embodies the strong heritage the country has in the sport.

“We’ve had messages from many Australian fans via social media, keen to find out what’s happening with the event. All I can do is thank them for their patience and say we’re working very hard to bring them much more SGP racing and ensure our great series remains Down Under.”

Etihad Stadium Chief Executive Michael Green added “we’ve really enjoyed hosting the Australian Speedway Grand Prix at Etihad Stadium for the last three years and whilst the event won’t be with us in 2018, we wish all the best to everyone involved or following this year’s series.”

Sergeant concluded “the PSE team has a rich and passionate history with the SGP both here in Australia and in Great Britain.

“We will be working through a structured selection process with our partners at BSI to identify a potential location and venue for the speedway grand prix without delay.” 

Image: Speedway action at Etihad Stadium in 2015.

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