Heading to Cardiff for the Adrian Flux British SGP on July 21? Here’s our guide to a huge weekend of action in the Welsh capital.
As the Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix returns to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for its 18th year on Saturday, July 21, here’s everything you need to know for a huge weekend of racing.
With double world champion Tai Woffinden riding high atop the World Championship and Craig Cook and wild card Robert Lambert also flying the British flag, there’s plenty for the home fans to get excited about.
And with world champion Jason Doyle and Cook the only SGP stars racing in the British leagues this year, there’s also a chance to see the overseas favourites you rarely witness racing in the UK as riders like Freddie Lindgren, Emil Sayfutdinov, Greg Hancock, Nicki Pedersen, Chris Holder and 2017 Cardiff winner Maciej Janowski all return.
There will also be a first-ever appearance in Cardiff for Russia’s Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations winner Artem Laguta as he bids to continue making history this season.
But the Adrian Flux British SGP isn’t just about the racing. Start your day in style with an action-packed fanzone on City Hall Lawn from 11am, featuring a Monster Energy Rig Riot, two autograph sessions, special guests, photo opportunities and much, much more.
And if you’re in the city on Friday afternoon, why not head down to catch practice – open to all ticket holders via gate 3 from 14:30.
Interested? Read on as we bring you all the important info to make the most of your day in Cardiff …
IMPORTANT SECURITY INFORMATION
Upon arrival to Cardiff, the Principality Stadium advises fans to make their way to the stadium as soon as gates open at 3.30pm – at least one and a half hours before racing starts – to allow time to clear the venue’s security checks, and are asked to co-operate fully with security personnel and stewards as all attendees will be searched before entering.
The venue advises that admission to the venue can’t be fully guaranteed if fans arrive at the stadium less than 30 minutes before the advertised starting time of the event, so please arrive in plenty of time. GATES OPEN AT 3.30PM.
Small bags (classed as no larger than 35cm x 40cm x 19cm or standard handbags) are permitted but large bags will not be. Large umbrellas will also not be allowed into the venue.
There are no storage facilities for these items so fans are encouraged to plan ahead if they intend to bring luggage to Cardiff.
KEY TIMINGS Friday, July 20
14:00 - Official draw
14:30 - Gate 3 open to ticket holders for practice
15:00 - Official practice for the 2018 Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix (blocks U6-U9 open)
Saturday, July 21 SGP Fanzone on City Hall Lawn
11:00 - SGP Fanzone open
11:30 - Photos with the World Championship trophies and Monster Energy Girls at the SGP autograph table
11:45 - 12:00 - Live music on the main stage from Supernova
12:00 - 12:15 - BMX & Freerunning stunt performance from Extreme Bike Battle
12:15 - 12:30 - BT Sport presenters Scott Nicholls and Natalie Quirk on the main stage
12:30 - 12:45 - Live music on the main stage from Supernova
12:45 - 13:00 - BMX and Freerunning stunt performance from Extreme Bike Battle
13.00 - 13.15 - Representatives from Team GB and SGP Academy on the main stage
13:15 - 13:30 - Live music on the main stage from Supernova
13:30 - 13:45 - BMX and Freerunning stunt performance from Extreme Bike Battle
13:45 - 14:00 - Official SGP autograph session with Tai Woffinden, Bartosz Zmarzlik and Robert Lambert
14:00 - 14:30 - Monster Energy Rig Riot with Monster riders Tai Woffinden, Chris Holder, Patryk Dudek and Greg Hancock
14:30 - 14:45 - Live music on the main stage from Supernova
14:45 - 15:00 - BMX and Freerunning stunt performance from Extreme Bike Battle
15:00 - 15:15 - Official SGP autograph session with Emil Sayfutdinov, Craig Cook, Dan Bewley and Jason Garrity
15:30 - Fanzone closes - time to head over to the stadium!
All day activities include:
• British Speedway stand
• Vintage Speedway memorabilia
• Merchandise and programmes for sale
• Face painting
• Science of Speed presentation brought to you by University of Wales Trinity St. David
• Food and beverage stalls
Principality Stadium
15:30 - Gates open
16:00 approx. - Live music
16:55 - Opening ceremony begins
17:15 - First heat of the 2018 Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix
20:00 - Podium and prize giving ceremony followed by award-winning indoor firework display
Travel Information
Whichever route you’re taking to the Principality Stadium, here’s some travel advice to help you on the way …
Park and Ride
Fans making the trip by road should exit the M4 at junction 33 to access the park and ride site at Cardiff City Stadium – simply follow the signs.
You will be dropped off on Tresillian Way North behind Cardiff Central railway station – a half-mile, 10-15-minute walk from the Principality Stadium.
The first bus leaves the park and ride at 9.30am, with the last bus leaving the pick-up point at 10.30pm. The car park closes at 11pm.
The cost is £8 per car if you book online or £10 (cash only) on the day. To book online, please visit: https://www.parkjockey.com/principality-stadium.
Parking
Car parking, including disabled parking, is available at Sophia Gardens – half a mile from the venue. Exit at junction 32 of the M4.
Parking costs £15 (cash only), with the car park opening at 8am and closing at midnight. The owners of any cars left after this time will be fined.
The Civic Centre is another option – also half a mile away from the Principality Stadium. Exit at junction 32 of the M4, and head south on the A470 towards City Centre, followings signs to Civic Centre.
Parking, which is available between 8am and midnight, costs £15 for cars and £20 for coaches and mini-buses (both payable in cash only on the day).
Car drivers can pre-book online to save £3 – book via https://www.parkjockey.com/principality-stadium.
Road Closures
For fans heading to Cardiff by road, there will be a number of road closures on race day.
Westgate Street, Park Street and Scott Road will all be closed from 3pm to 9.30pm, with possible closures also on Wood Street, Lower St Mary Street and a lane closure on Cowbridge Road East pre-meeting if needed.
Following the meeting, there will also be closures on Cowbridge Road East, Castle Street, Duke Street and Wood Street adjacent to Millennium Plaza while fans exit the stadium between 7.45pm and 8.45pm.
With the Adrian Flux British SGP fanzone taking place on City Hall Lawn, King Edward VII Avenue will be closed from its junction with City Hall Road to its junction with Boulevard de Nantes from 5am to 8pm.
Access to the Civic Centre will be controlled, with access allowed only for event-day parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks. Roads affected include: King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.
Public Transport - Train
Fans travelling to Cardiff by rail should get off at Cardiff Central – a five-minute walk from the Principality Stadium.
Queen Street Station will be closed shortly before the meeting finishes – all travellers should use Cardiff Central.
Following the event, there will be a queuing system in place at Cardiff Central train station – please identify the queuing lane you need for your return journey when you arrive in Cardiff. For more details, please visit: http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/principalitystadium/.
Public Transport - Bus
Local buses will be diverted away from the city centre bus stops. Buses displaced from stops within the road closure will relocate to either Churchill Way for the east, Greyfriars Road for the north or Tudor Street for the west.
Please visit the bus operators’ websites for more information about your specific bus route. National Express coaches will operate from Sophia Gardens as normal.
Taxis
For fans requiring a taxi, St Mary’s Street taxi rank (outside House of Fraser) will be closed from 6pm and will re-open from 11.30pm.
But Mill Lane taxi rank – is not affected and will be open throughout the day and night.
Tickets If you still need tickets, they are available to purchase online until 23:59 on Wednesday, July 18 from HERE: http://bit.ly/2KS4Aka.
Don’t panic if you miss the online ticket sales deadline as can still pick one up in the city between Thursday, July 19 – Saturday, July 21.
Tickets will be available for purchase from the WRU Store (near gate 3) at Principality Stadium from 12pm to 5.30pm on Friday and 9.00am to 5.30pm on Saturday.
Official merchandise and event programmes will be available for purchase at the SGP Fanzone on City Hall Lawn and at Principality Stadium.
Get Social
Stay tuned to @SpeedwayGP throughout the weekend for news and updates around the Adrian Flux British SGP – simply use hashtag #BritishSGP.