British Speedway has been handed yet another massive boost – just days before the tapes go up on a new season. Following on from the announcement of a lucrative five-year TV deal, it has now been confirmed that Sky Sports will also become the main sponsors of the Elite League.

It is the first time British Speedway’s top flight competition has enjoyed sponsorship since Homefire in 1992 and it is another reflection of the new surge in interest throughout the country.

The 2001 competition will now be known as the Sky Sports Elite League with nine clubs chasing the title won by Eastbourne last September.

British Speedway president Terry Russell said: ‘This is more excellent news for the sport, hot on the heels of the TV deal announced last November it is superb news that the top league now has a sponsor.

‘More and more people are saying that the Elite League is the hardest in the world and we’re delighted to have a major sponsor on board for the new season.

‘Sky Sports have been delighted with the response to their speedway coverage and I feel sure other major corporate organisations will want to be involved in sponsorship in the future.

‘I can see opportunities developing for the sport all the time and this is a natural development of Sky Sports’ involvement within the sport.

‘As I have said before it is the result of years of hard work to get us to this stage and we’re delighted that our relationship with Sky Sports has expanded even further, beyond our wildest dreams as recently as three-years ago.’

Each Elite League club will carry the Sky Sports logo in advertising and promotional material and riders’ attire and machinery wil also feature the famous red and blue colours.

‘The riders deserve a lot of credit for the way they have handled the increased TV exposure and we expect them to continue with a positive attitude,’ said Russell. ‘We feel sure that Sky Sports will be delighted with the way their name is projected throughout the UK tracks and we will continue to work with them to take this great sport forward.’

For further information, please contact:

Terry Russell, President
British Speedway Promoters Association
Tel: +44 1788 560 648
Fax: +44 1788 546 785