CYCLE speedway fans in the area are gearing up for the biggest ever meeting to be staged in Coventry when Hearsall Common hosts the third and final test match between Great Britain and Australia.
The Hearsall track will be transformed into an international sporting arena on August 6 (7.15pm) when Great Britain goes to battle against Australia in a meeting that will be shown on Sky Sports in front of an expected crowd of around 1,500.
It is the biggest meeting to be staged in Coventry since the British Finals were held at the same venue two years ago and it is the first official international match to be staged in the city.
The event will later be screened in 32 countries worldwide, reaching 190 million homes globally, which makes it the biggest event staged in the city since the Ricoh Arena hosted women’s football at the 2012 Olympic Games.
A spokesman for Coventry Cycle Speedway said: “In terms of cycle speedway racing this is going to be the biggest event of the calendar year.
“We’re expecting 1,500 people to turn out for the event – a phenomenal figure for an amateur sporting event.
“It’s the third and final Ashes Test match between the two sides. Last time GB faced Australia it was a 5-0 whitewash so the home nation will certainly be looking for revenge.”
Members of Coventry Cycle Club have been working behind the scenes all year in a bid to put on a glittering spectacle.
A huge mobile grandstand will be in position alongside the home straight and a large LED video screen will tower above the final bend to act as a scoreboard and to relay interviews to the crowd.
The first cycle speedway international matches between the two sides were staged down under in 1981 but this summer’s three-match series will be the first time the teams have met in the UK in a test series.
Australia are bringing their strongest side and will be led by world number two Cody Chadwick, while Coventry-based Australian Bobby McMillan has been a free-scoring member of the Coventry side this year.
Tickets for the meeting are free. For more information visit coventrycyclespeedway.co.uk.
