Alex Holowczak's Ideal 2008 Speedway Grand Prix Schedule
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After doing this for Formula One, I wondered if the same were possible for Speedway. It works in the same way really - get as many races as possible all around the world.
The stadium capacity is important, as is the type of venue. Traditional Speedway venues are small but traditional, whereas bigger venues boost income in the series. So a mix is vital. The capacities of new Grands Prix stadia will drop, as they need to be converted to host Speedway, in all likelihood.
Races
Sixteen rounds - red are the new ones.
United States
There has to be a race in the USA. Greg Hancock is a World Champion, and there is a rich history of US riders doing well in the last decade. They all came from California, so I guessed that would be where the fan base is. I would have held it in a bigger stadium, Monster Park was my first choice, but at 70,000 it was too big. So I settled for the Home Depot Center in LA. It's big enough to host it, but not too big. Also, it isn't in the middle of the MLS season either, so nothing much will be going on there. And think about it - the fans there are used to going to watch minority sports!
Italy
There's been a race in Lonigo for a year or two now, and Italy enter the World Cup, so I think they deserve a Grand Prix. Smallest venue on the calendar.
Scandinavia
A way to give Sweden a second race. There's a big fan base in Malilla - Tony Rickardsson, a 6 time World Champion hailed from there. I was initially going to scrap this race, but I made a space to fit it in.
Europe
The title gives Poland a second race. Again, where the fan base is. There has been Speedway in Wroclaw for a few seasons now, and it has always been well supported there.
Czech Republic
Another converted stadium, the third so far. The race is always well attended, and the country has a moderately strong rider field.
Russia
Upset a few countries to finish sixth in the World Cup, this is a deserved Grand Prix for them to help boost their riders (who can race here as wildcards).
Denmark
Boasts two World Championship contenders. I toyed with moving the Scandinavian race to Denmark too, and having two races there, but not in 2008. Another converted football stadium, this is one of the loudest races of the season.
Great Britain
The best attended race for a few seasons now, the Welsh rugby stadium always boasts a fanatical following. Now GB has home talent to cheer for too. Tempted to move the race to Wembley Stadium, see below for more.
Slovenia
Matej Zagar will give his home fans something to cheer about in an enthusiastic country for Speedway.
Sweden
The second race of the year in Sweden, this is another often packed out race. That marks the half way point of the season, and with it, comes the break for the World Cup.
Latvia
Another race with minimal home talent, but passionate support, the race can be held here quite easily.
Nations
The Grand Prix of Nations was a motorcycle race in Italy for a long time, and it was the only way I could think of giving a second race to Britain - Europe was already used up. So it's the Grand Prix of the United Nations! Or just the Grand Prix of Nations. It will be held at the biggest stadium of the year, Wembley Stadium. Wembley hosted the first Speedway World Cup meetings shortly before the Second World War. Capacity crowds filled the stands. Hopefully, there would be a repeat of this in an emotional return to Wembley for Speedway, for the first time in over 25 years.
Poland
Fanatical home support is guaranteed at another big stadium. Tomasz Gollob, the Polish captain, has only ever won 10 Grands Prix in his long career. 7 have been in the Polish Grand Prix, such is the support.
Germany
The European season closes in an establishing Speedway nation. 2007 is the first year at the Veltins Arena, but assuming there is a decent crowd, it should return in 2008.
Australia
Australia has been overlooked in terms of hosting Speedway races since the 1950s really. The country that created the sport would at least get to host a Grand Prix under me. It was origingally at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney, but I thought it would be too big. So I moved it to the Telstra Dome in Melbourne.
New Zealand
In the land of legends like Ivan Mauger and Barry Briggs, the season will draw to a close. Eden Park would be converted to host the sport. New Zealand has been overlooked in Speedway terms too since the creation of the sport, but I would put a race there too.
Conclusion
I think that this would see a lot of tradition mixed with newer venues, and I think it would be good for the sport. It would try to establish fan bases in new locations, such as Russia, Germany and Italy, continue them in Scandinavia, Poland and Great Britain, and reestablish them in Australia and New Zealand.
