LIVE Speedway is to make a sensational return to free-to-air television – with this Saturday’s Cab Direct British Final at Belle Vue to be screened by ITV4 and ITVX.
British Speedway is delighted to have concluded arrangements with ITV plc for the live broadcast of the showpiece major event at the National Speedway Stadium, Manchester on August 15 (7pm).
And in a further boost, long time Championship backers Cab Direct have agreed a deal to become title sponsors of the prestige meeting which will feature Grand Prix star Robert Lambert defending the title.
Lambert, who is currently in contention for the World title, clinched his second British crown last year at the same venue in a deciding race widely regarded as one of the best in the history of the sport.
He overcame former champions Charles Wright, Dan Bewley and Chris Harris in a remarkable four way, four lap battle which went right down to the wire.
Seven riders who have previously won the title figure in the draw, as well as some of the sport’s top rising talent including 16-year-old Cooper Rushen and 17-year-old home favourite Will Cairns.
The return to ITV platforms will evoke memories of televised speedway coverage on the World of Sport programme which ran until the mid-1980s.
Back then, top events such as the World Final, British Final and international Test Matches were regularly featured, bringing the sport to the widest possible audience and making household names out of many of the riders.
Nowadays, ITV4 is the main linear television outlet for ITV Sport, with motorsport playing a key role in its output.
It has become the established home of the British Touring Car Championship, along with being free-to-air broadcast partner of the FIA Formula E series, and outside of motorsport there is a regular Saturday night EFL highlights programme featuring action from all three Football League divisions.
ITVX is the streaming service operated by ITV plc, containing exclusive content in addition to that which is broadcast free-to-air.
Securing the backing of the UK’s leading taxi supplier, Cab Direct, is yet more positive news for the event as the company continue to extend their support for British Speedway.
Cab Direct have been title sponsors of the Championship league since 2023, subsequently adding the KO Cup competition under the MAXiCab brand, and they will now put their name to one of the sport’s major events for the first time.
Peter Facenna, Managing Director of Cab Direct, said: “We've been proud supporters of British Speedway for several years through our sponsorship of the Cab Direct Championship, so it's fantastic to see the British Final return to free-to-air television.
“ITV coverage will help showcase the speed, skill and excitement of the sport to a wider audience and inspire a new generation of fans.
“Speedway has deep roots in communities across the UK, and we're proud to support an event that celebrates the very best of British Speedway.”
Premiership CEO Phil Morris said: “I’m delighted we can once again bring speedway to free-to-air television, and especially for such a big event as the British Final.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in putting this all together, and especially Cab Direct for coming on board as title sponsors.
“We plan to make the event a real spectacle, and that will be the case for everyone attending on the night as well as those watching on ITV.
“We know we can expect a night of top-class racing with so much at stake for the riders on a superb circuit which always produces thrilling action.
“Even by Belle Vue’s standards the Final last year was extraordinary, but we hope this year’s event will be just as memorable, and to have it on free-to-air television with ITV is fantastic news for the sport.”
Live coverage from Belle Vue on Saturday August 15 will get underway at 7pm with the meeting parade, with the opening race at 7.15pm.
CAB DIRECT BRITISH FINAL DRAW: 1 Anders Rowe, 2 Cooper Rushen, 3 Craig Cook, 4 Robert Lambert, 5 Adam Ellis, 6 Drew Kemp, 7 Will Cairns, 8 Dan Thompson, 9 Jason Edwards, 10 Danny King, 11 Charles Wright, 12 Dan Bewley, 13 Jody Scott, 14 Leon Flint, 15 Chris Harris, 16 Tom Brennan. Reserves: 17 Jake Mulford, 18 Ace Pijper.