Speedway is a sport like any other. Months of hard work, dedicated to an ultimate goal - to lift a trophy at the end of the rivalry. This year's Individual Speedway European Champion, while going back from Stadion Śląski, where the trophy ceremony will be held, should stop by a furniture shop, because this cup is really hard to put on a ledge.
Shane Martin from Boston, Lincolnshire (UK) is an artist, who creates his artwork with different kind of metals. His portfolio is filled with impressive work, which makes people stunned. Once again, Englishman prepared something special for the winner of Speedway Euro Championship. If last year's trophy was something unique, then the one now is actually hard to be described with words.
First thing that comes after looking at it is its size - over half a meter (56,6 cm) cup stands out with its colors. Raw, dark silver, characteristic for moto parts, mixes with gold-plated cells, haning on sides of 13,5 cm chains. One cannot miss a split sprocket, which was used as holder on both sides of the cup. Lifting it can be actually really hard to do - it weighs 17 kg. However, it's plunger, with a diameter of 17,78 cm is the core of this trophy.
The whole thing looks simply amazing. To get this unique trophy, one will have to make nearly 90 laps, win as many (out of over 20) heats, fight hard during all four rounds and in the clutch-time - defeat not only the rivals, but most importantly - their weaknesses.
Battle of the European Championship starts in Gniezno, on June 23rd, 7 PM CET. Next rounds are planned in Güstrow (July 14) and Daugavpils (August 18). The great final will be taken at Stadion Śląski in Chorzów, on September 15th.
