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British Speedway Grand Prix returns to Wales
The British Speedway Grand Prix marked its 10th anniversary at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday with a record crowd turn out, one of which was our Ryder Cup Wales Event Manager & Guest Logistics and ‘Polo in the Castle’ Best Dressed winner, Lianne Thomas:
Speedway returns to Cardiff
“This being my first experience of Speedway, I went with an open mind but secretly thinking “Is this really my cup of tea?” after debating “What does one wear to a Speedway event at one’s National Stadium”
I arrive into Cardiff City Centre by train, welcomed by a similar ‘match-day’ excitement to when Wales play England at Rugby, but surprisingly I saw not just the jerseys of two countries but an army of different colour jerseys representing multiple countries. Déjà vu – the same feeling I experienced when Cardiff hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1999.
I make my way through the crowds and can’t help notice in the distance the highest point in Cardiff is not the Capital Tower but a fairground ride – this was clearly recognisable as the Speedway ‘Fan Zone’. The atmosphere felt like the supporters village of a winning team – but the big event was hours away from starting, yet alone ending.
With the City buzzing with fans and I’m eager to approach one to get the low down so I can ‘talk the talk’ when networking. On arrival at the Stadium I grab a programme and after checking out our Visit Wales ‘ad’, I come across a score sheet, which I find fellow visitors are using to keep tabs on their sweep and to select a rider to support. This is great fun. What other event would you come across a Welsh girl supporting an Aussie, and a Canadian girl supporting a Danish guy? This creates lots of drama and high camaraderie within the Stadium.
Amongst all the horns and vuvuzelas, I hear a fan shout “No breaks!” “No breaks?” I repeat, I was gasping for a drink (given that temperatures in Cardiff were soaring that day) but then realised he was referring to the bike’s ‘Brakes’. These bikes really do have no brakes, which explains the strange cornering technique. I’m now on the edge of my seat, and I stay there until the final race.
Consider me a converted Speedway fan.”
Dates for next year’s Speedway GP have been confirmed as Saturday 25th June 2011, and you can book your tickets now.
