OLSEN: WE HAD TO RACE SON IN DENMARK

Promoter Jacob Olsen was determined to keep the FIM Speedway of Nations on Danish soil as tickets go on sale for an epic four nights of racing at Vojens Speedway Center from July 27-30.

The event was switched to Denmark’s national speedway stadium earlier this week after the original organiser in Esbjerg withdrew.

Since being opened by triple world champion Ole Olsen, Vojens has staged 15 Speedway GPs, four FIM Speedway World Cup Finals and a raft of the sport’s very biggest events.

Now it hosts Denmark’s first-ever FIM Speedway of Nations, which sees Semi-Finals 1 and 2 take place on Wednesday, July 27 and Thursday, July 28 respectively. SON2 for the sport’s top under-21 sides is on Friday, July 29, before hosts Denmark go for glory against the top three from each Semi-Final in the FIM SON Final on Saturday, July 30.

When he found out that the FIM SON needed a new venue, Olsen was determined to keep it in Denmark. He said: “My first thought was that it would be a disaster for Danish speedway if this year’s FIM Speedway of Nations could not be carried out on Danish soil as originally planned, and possibly had to be run in another country. It was Vojens or nothing.

“Then I contacted my closest staff, and it quickly turned out that we were ready to skip vacations and jump into our work clothes.

“The list of things to get ready is long, everything imaginable, just from ordering draft beer and sausages, arranging officials, security guards, and numerous other challenges. It requires ice in the stomach. But I also think we have good support, so I am convinced that we will get a world-class event on its feet.”

Olsen hopes to see fans flock to Vojens from across Denmark and beyond as 15 countries battle it out over four nights for the FIM SON world title and the FIM Team Speedway Under-21 World Championship. The Vojens chief is hopeful there will be plenty to celebrate for the home fans.

“We really hope that Danish speedway fans will show up,” Olsen said. “I am quite convinced that Denmark has good chances for medals, both at senior and at under-21 level, so it can be something of a red and white party.”

The action opens with Semi-Final 1 on Wednesday, July 27, featuring eight-time FIM Speedway World Cup winners Poland, plus Australia, Latvia, Germany, USA, Ukraine and Finland.

Reigning champions Great Britain launch their title defence in Semi-Final 2 on Thursday, July 28, which also features Sweden, France, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy and FIM SON newcomers Slovakia.

The top three countries from each Semi-Final join hosts Denmark in the FIM SON Final on the Saturday night.

The week also features SON2 – the revamped FIM Team Speedway Under-21 World Championship, which sees Denmark’s young guns take on 14-time winners Poland, Great Britain, Australia, Sweden, Czech Republic and Latvia on Friday, July 29.

Tickets for the FIM Speedway of Nations are on sale here now: https://www.billetlugen.dk/eventseries/3187803/?affiliate=WW2