Sports watch and men’s jewellery brand Aztorin has signed as the Official Timing Partner of the 2019 FIM Speedway Grand Prix (SGP).
As part of the deal, Aztorin will supply timing technology to facilitate the SGP’s new qualifying rounds, which will feature for the first time this year.
Instead of being allocated starting positions by a random draw, riders will now compete on Friday evenings to set the fastest lap time.
The fastest rider will then get the first choice of gate position for the main event on Saturday.
Also for the first time, all SGP bikes will be fitted with transponders to split closes finishes.
Torben Olsen, managing director of race owner BSI Speedway, said: “Bringing effective timing technology into the SGP series and making Friday’s practice session even more meaningful have been important goals for us. I have no doubt the Friday qualifying sessions will add even more drama to an SGP weekend.”
Aztorin will also continue as the Official Watch Partner of SGP and as the Title Partner of this year’s German FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Teterow.
The SGP takes place from May to October this year, covering events in Poland, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany and the UK.
The first qualifying session takes place at Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy on Friday, May 17 – the day before the season-opening PZM Warsaw SGP on May 18.
BSI Speedway is an IMG company and rights-holder of the FIM Speedway World Championships presented by Monster Energy, the FIM Speedway Grand Prix (SGP) and Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations (SON).