What we have in this sport which is unique in motorsport is 24 starts in an evening

Promoter John Postlethwaite

The Cardiff pitch needed to be moved around

Then, 18,000 tonnes of locally acquired shale, along with 100 tonnes of clay, was laid and packed down by soft rollers.

But the process wasn't cheap, costing over �600,000, but Postlethwaite believes the cost is a worthwhile investment.

He added: "We have a four-year contract with the Millennium Stadium and we expect a significant return over that period.

"Because of safety, the first 16 rows of seats will be vacant just in case a bike goes flying over the fence. This will reduce capacity to 58,000."

Though speedway possesses a fanatical following, it is still perceived as a minority sport - something Postlethwaite is hoping the British Grand Prix can rectify.

"What we have in this sport which is unique in motorsport is 24 starts in an evening which is fantastically exciting," he said.

"Four guys, 75-80 miles-per-hour, going into the first corner with no breaks - and they've got that 24 times a night.

"The other real key thing about this event is nobody knows who has won until the last race.

Tough challenge

"The four best guys end up being in that last race and whoever wins that last race wins the Grand Prix."

Tomasz Gollob goes into Saturday's event leading the world championship after his victory in the first of the six major Grand Prixs of the season in Germany a month ago.

But with the likes of Loram, Rickardsson, and Billy Hamill in pursuit, the Pole faces a tough challenge if he is to hold onto his lead.

But Peter Karlsson will not be present in Cardiff after suffering hip and thigh injuries during King's Lynn's match with Oxford.

The Swede collided with Lukas Drymi and went crashing into the fence, forcing him to miss the second major Grand Prix of the season.