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Sweden will host its first ever FIM Speedway World Cup Race-Off and Final as two of the sport’s biggest meetings come to Målilla in 2012.
Dates and ticket prices will be confirmed at a later date, and speedway fans will have another big reason to visit Malilla next year as the G&B Arena will also stage the FIM Scandinavian Speedway Grand Prix for the eighth year running. This is after the club was handed a new one-year deal by SGP rights holders BSI Speedway.
The decision to bring the SWC to the forests of Malilla will come as a huge boost to a Swedish national team, which has made real strides in the last couple of years.
National champion Andreas Jonsson is in the form of his life after winning two of the last three SGP rounds in Terenzano on July 30 and Torun last Saturday. He almost claimed a third gold medal in Målilla on August 13, but was passed on the last turn in the FIM Scandinavian SGP final by Jaroslaw Hampel and had to make do with silver.
Antonio Lindback is guaranteed a Grand Prix berth for 2012 after winning the GP Challenge in Vetlanda on August 20, and Fredrik Lindgren is still fighting for a place in this year’s top-eight automatic qualification spots.
BSI Speedway managing director Paul Bellamy is delighted to see one of world speedway’s superpowers staging the SWC Race-Off and Final for the first time.
He said: “I’m pleased that Sweden, after everything it has contributed to the sport, is going to host the SWC Race-Off and Final. We looked at a number of venues, but Malilla with its superb facilities, great organisation and proven track record in the SGP series deserved to have the honour of hosting these two massive events.
“We have seen some memorable World Cup evenings over the last few years. The tournament never fails to deliver great racing and with some of the sport’s best riders fighting for national pride on such a great track, the fans will be in for a treat next summer.
“Given that AJ’s recent form has been absolutely fantastic and Antonio Lindback is getting better and better, Swedish speedway is very much on the up. With home advantage, it will be very interesting to see if Sweden can lift the Ove Fundin Trophy on home soil for the first time.”
Malilla Motorklubb president Ove Johansson said: “It is an honour to have been given the chance to stage the first ever SWC Race-Off and Final on Swedish shale. For the past seven years, the club and our many volunteers have worked hard to make the Scandinavian SGP a success.
“We are delighted to be hosting a Grand Prix round again next year and with the SWC also being contested at the G&B Arena, it’s going to be a special year for the Malilla Motorklubb.”
