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The following riders have been selected by the Australian Speedway Commission to compete in the 5 round Linddales Championship commencing at Milduraâ€™s Olympic Park Speedway on December 29, 2007.

Championship Ticket Information

SPONSORS RETURN TO LINDDALES AUSTRALIAN BIKE TITLE

SYDNEY - November 6, 2007: Two more sponsors have backed up from last season’s Linddales Australian Motorcycle Speedway Championships in the form of IKON Suspension and Pro Spec Security.

IKON Suspension, through Directors - Geoffrey and Louise Lowe, has had a long involvement in the sport and this year, went close to becoming a world-championship winning manufacturer.

Australian, Leigh Adams, won three Speedway Grands Prix in 2007 using a revolutionary "upside down" IKON shock absorber and came perilously close to winning the World Title, beaten narrowly by Nicki Pedersen.

Pro Spec Security is one of Sydney’s leading supplier of closed circuit security systems. The company, based in Belrose, has held a significant association in the sport over the years.

Pro Spec’s Principal - David Clutter - was one of main motivators behind the first ever meeting at the new Sydney Showground, Homebush Bay, where the 2008 finale will be held.

Both companies saw value - from different areas - in their involvement last season.

"For IKON, the Linddales Championships provided a two fold purpose," said Geoffrey Lowe. "Firstly, it allowed us to promote IKON Suspension among the motorcycle fraternity and secondly, it allowed us to test some new products and observe how they reacted close up, which we don’t get the opportunity to do if they are being used in Europe. Leigh Adams won a round of the Series (Adelaide) on an IKON Shock. We’re happy to be back on board again for the 2008 Series."

For Pro Spec, on the other hand, networking opportunities at both the Newcastle and Sydney rounds proved invaluable.

"Due to many of the other sponsors being involved in building, construction or related industries, it gave us the opportunity to interact with them as well as watching some great speedway," said David Clutter. "From that basis, it was worthwhile and we’re pleased to be on board again supporting the Linddales Championships."

The Linddales Australian Motorcycle Speedway Championship Series will be conducted over five rounds beginning December 29, concluding on January 11 and will feature two hours of national free-to-air television on the TEN Network post-event.

SWEDISH SGP ACE TO RACE IN

LINDDALES AUSTRALIAN SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS

SYDNEY - October 30, 2007: 22-year-old Swede - Fredrik Lindgren - has accepted an invitation to become the third and final International rider to compete in this summer's Linddales Australian Motorcycle Speedway Championships.

Hailing from Orebo in Sweden, Lindgren confirmed his status as one of the rising stars of World Speedway by being granted a place in the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix World Championship by Series owner - IMG - just one week ago.

'Freddie' has slotted himself in as one of the early favourites for the Linddales Championships and will be a podium contender from the word go.

2007 has been a stellar year for the double Swedish Under-21 Champion. He won the Swedish League with his Dackarna team and shot to prominence on the world stage by annexing third place in the 2007 Swedish Grand Prix behind nine times Australian Champion, Leigh Adams and ahead of World Champion, Nicki Pedersen. He rides for Wolverhampton in the British Elite League and Zielona Gora in the Polish Extraleague.

Starting in the sport at the age of 12, Freddie modeled his riding style on his heroes - former Swedish international, Henka Gustafsson and the last British World Speedway Champion - Mark Loram. He is a factory rider for the Czech JAWA company and will have his Polish mechanic on hand when he arrives in Australia for what amounts to his World Championship 'dressed rehearsal'.

"I cannot wait to arrive in Australia," Lindgren said. "I've heard a lot about Speedway down there and obviously the sport is strong with both Leigh (Adams) and Jason (Crump) finishing on the podium in this year's World Championships.

"Having been confirmed as a full time Speedway Grand Prix rider just one week ago and this confirmation today, October has been a very big month for me. The Linddales Australian Championships will be a vital opportunity to ensure all my gear is ready to compete at World Championship level in 2008."

Lindgren joins England's Joe Screen and the Czech Republic's Filip Sitera as the triumvirate of International riders to take part in this summer's Linddales Australian Championships.

The Linddales Australian Championships Calendar is as follows:
Round 1: Olympic Park, Mildura, Vic - Saturday, December 29
Round 2: Gillman Speedway, Adelaide, SA- Wednesday, January 2
Round 3: Borderline Speedway, Mt Gambier, SA - Saturday, January 5
Round 4: Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow NSW -Wednesday, January 9
Round 5: Sydney Showground, Homebush Bay, NSW - Friday, January 11

Gala Prizegiving: Pacific International Hotel, Parramatta, NSW - Sunday, January 13

Tickets to the gala prizegiving dinner at the Pacific International Hotel, Parramatta, are now on sale to the public by calling Power Productions on +61 (0)2 4325 6111.

CZECH YOUNG GUN CONFIRMS LINDDALES AUSTRALIAN SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS START

SYDNEY - OCTOBER 16, 2007: Czech Republic rider - Fillip Sitera - becomes the second International entrant to accept an invitation into this summer’s Linddales Labour Hire Australian Speedway Championships.

The 19-year-old sensation has ridden in Australia in the past, principally as part of the troupe brought to these shores annually by multiple World Champion - Ivan Mauger. He has obtained some success here - particularly at Gillman Speedway - which will host round two of the Championship on January 2.

In the highly competitive Czech ranks, Sitera has been a two time winner of both the national Under 19 and Under 21

Championships, successfully defending both Titles in 2007. The other major victories he has taken during 2007 include being a member of the Czech Republic League Champions - PK Plzen - and most recently, the International Golden Band - where he defeated SGP star, Hans Andersen.

In Poland, Sitera rides for the Atlas Wroclaw team alongside Australians - outgoing World Champion, Jason Crump - and one of the key Aussie Title aspirants in Chris Holder. Atlas finished third in the Polish Extraleague in 2007.

Accompanying Sitera for the Linddales Championships in a role as team manager and mechanic will be the highly respected Czech veteran - Vaclav Verner - who has ridden in Australia many times throughout his career and is well known by the Australian speedway public.

"I am very much looking forward to returning to Australia," Sitera said. "In the past, I have enjoyed my trips to that country and the Linddales Championships is a perfect opportunity for me to return."

"I get to see many of the riders I will be competing against race on a regular basis," he added. "To race on the Australian tracks against them will be an interesting test, I have raced on many Australian tracks, but not many of the ones on the Linddales Championships. Having someone of Vaclav's experience with me in Australia is going to help immensely. He's been there many times and ridden just about all of those tracks, so instantly I have an advantage that I otherwise wouldn't have."

Organisers are hopeful of making one more International rider announcement before confirming the remainder of the Australian riders that will line up in the Title.

FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFIRMED FOR LINDDALES SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 34-year-old former World Under-21 Champion is excited about a return to Australian racing in the five round Championship, which runs from December 29 in Mildura to the Grand Final on January 11 at the majestic Sydney Showground, Homebush Bay.

"I love the bigger Aussie venues, they are great to race on," said Screen upon confirming his participation. "I’m really excited about returning to Australia this off-season. When I was there previously with the International Speedway Masters Series, I had a great time and won a few meetings. This time around I’ll certainly be looking to dent some Aussie reputations."

Riding for the Belle Vue Aces Club in the British Elite League, Screen was second on that team’s averages card behind regular Australian visitor - Simon Stead - for season 2007. The showmanship he brings to speedway is well documented - with most Australian fans remembering Screen for wearing a race suit adorned with flying tassels in his previous visits. Screen says fans can expect more of the same entertainment in this five event visit.

"I enjoy having a good time with my racing and putting on a show. I’m coming to Australia with a serious racing agenda, but also to enjoy the five events and catch up with friends I’ve made over my previous visits," smiled the cheeky Englishman. "I’ve put the tassels at the back of the wardrobe, so they won’t be coming to Australia, but then again…"

Series Co-ordinators, Power Productions, are happy to welcome Joe Screen aboard the Linddales Championships.

"We’re delighted to have signed one of the world’s most exciting speedway riders and a true showman," said a Power Productions spokesman. "Joe understands that pure riding talent isn’t enough to keep crowds entertained and that was a deciding factor when pulling together a list of riders to target for this campaign.

"Another factor was he knows what to expect when coming to Australia. Quite an amount of time is spent traversing the country in oppressive conditions, which many foreign riders over the years have struggled with. Joe has the advantage of knowing what to expect as soon as he reaches Australian soil around Christmas."

Screen will arrive in Australia and head straight to Mildura for media commitments and a pre-event public forum with riders and team members competing in the Linddales Championships.

The Englishman is the second rider to officially confirm his participation in this summer’s tournament, joining Redmond Motorsport’s Chris Holder - who recently finished second in the World Under-21 Speedway Championship in Poland.

The full Championship calendar is as follows:
Pre-Championship ‘Meet and Greet’: Mildura - December 28, 2007
Round 1: Olympic Park, Mildura, Vic - December 29, 2007
Round 2: Gillman Speedway, Adelaide, SA - January 2, 2008
Round 3: Borderline Speedway, Mount Gambier, SA - January 5, 2008
Round 4: Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow, NSW - January 9, 2008
Round 5: Sydney Showground, Homebush Bay, NSW - January 11, 2008
Gala Prizegiving Ceremony: Pacific International Hotel, Parramatta, NSW - January 13, 2008

SYDNEY - July 24, 2007: The dates and venues for the 2008 Linddales Labour Hire Australian Motorcycle Speedway Championship Series have been confirmed, once again with a five round Championship operating over a 14 day period.

The Championship will begin on December 29 at Mildura’s Olympic Park, and will conclude on January 11 at the Sydney Showground, Homebush Bay. The five venues which hosted rounds of the Championship last season have all committed once again, however organisers have scheduled more time between events to maximise pre-event marketing opportunities. The full calendar is as follows:

The Major Sponsor for the 2007 tour - Linddales Labour Hire - has expanded on its commitment to the Championship and will retain the naming rights to Australian Speedway Championship Series until the conclusion of the 2009 season.

Adding to the stability of the Championship is a further announcement that Series Co-Ordinator - Power Productions Pty Ltd - has signed a three year promotional agreement with Motorcycling Australia to organise the marketing and promotional aspects of the tour.

Linddales Labour Hire Managing Director, Tony Bleasdale was overjoyed with the company’s involvement in the Championship this past season and is looking forward to the 2008 edition.

"Linddales Labour Hire is delighted to be back on board with the Australian Speedway Championship Series," said Mr. Bleasdale. "We loved the opportunity to see this sport - a new sport to us - last year and it was absolutely brilliant to see the skill of these riders up close.

"Not only that, they are all wonderful ambassadors for their sport and are all enthusiastic about its prospects. We hope we can play a part in assisting the continued growth of Motorcycle Speedway in Australia."

With dates, venues and the major sponsor locked away, the search can begin for riders. After last year’s talent-stacked line-up, organisers are predicting this year will be equally as good if not better, with Power Productions confirming they are in negotiations with at least three Speedway Grand Prix winners from this current season of competition.

An announcement is expected shortly relating to other aspects of the Championship, including a free-to-air television rights partner, which will be complemented by further coverage on Fox Sports.

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