The biggest speedway e✨vent ever staged at Sheffield's Owlerton Stadium ta🌄kes place tonight with the launch of the 2002 Speedway World Cup.

Host nation G💜reat Britain face holders Australia, the Czech Republic anꦆd Germany in a meeting which starts at 7.30pm.

Britain include curreꦬnt Sheffield skipper Sean Wilson෴ along with ex-world champion Mark Loram and Chesterfield-born Joe Screen.

Ryan Sullivan, one of the contendors for this year's world crown, lines-u♈p for Australia alongside the brilliant Jason Crump and Leigh Adams. And Robbie Kessler, a Sheffield asset currentl๊y on-loan to Hull, is included in the German side.

The Czech Republic are capable of threatening with the exciting Dryml brothers - Lukas a recent Gra꧃nd Prix runner-up - spearheading theirไ challenge together with Bo Brhel and Toni Svab both of who have Elite League experience.

A big crowd is expected with the back straight t💖erracing open for the first time in over a deꦬcade. Advanced ticket sales have been encouraging but fans are reminded that cash turnstiles will be open tonight.

The top team from tonight's event will gain automatic qualification for the grand final next Sunday at Peterb♈orough as will the winners of the other two qualification events - Poole on Monday and Eastbourne on Tuesday.

Second placed teams plus the two highest scoring third placed teams get a place in the "last chance saloon", also at Peterborough, on Thursday night with the top two fin꧂ishers from that lining up in t🅘he final along with the automatic qualifers.