How to lose money in one easy lesson or the Under 21 championship leaves Europe.

The Speedway Star reported on 24th January 2009 that there was talk about the FIM making the World Under 21 Championship into a mini Grand Prix series of 3 finals from 2010 onwards with two of the finals being in Europe and the last one, to conclude the series, being held in November outside of Europe.

One possible country hoping to stage this final round, according to the Star, was Argentina and the former rider Armando Castagna in his role as an FIM official was said to be visiting the Aldea Romana track in Bahic Blanca to carry out an inspection of its facilities to assess if it was a suitable venue for the final. Considering the fact that the number of World Finals, individual, team or pairs, which have been held outside of Europe could be counted on the fingers of one hand and bearing in mind the current global economic situation one is bound to ask how realistic the suggestion is.

In the Speedway Star dated 14 February the current Argentinean champion the Canadian Kyle Legault was quoting as saying that the Aldea Romana track was “definitely up to world class standard. It is good to race on” but he when on to say that “ the organisers should not under estimate the task or cost of transporting 18 young riders, their mechanics and their equipment to the South American country” . This last statement could well qualify for the understatement of the year.

As I write this article, in mid March, the FIM have not published the official rules for the 2009 World Under 21 championship but seeing that the Grand Prix have not had a rise in their prize money for over 4 years I assume that the Under 21 riders will be treated the same so the 2008 rule (regulation 072.4) regarding the prize money should still be applicable and this stated that “travel expenses, as well as long distance and ferry costs, are included in the scale of expenses reimbursement “ and then listed details of the prize money, in Swiss Francs which ranged from 2310 CHF (£1425) for the winner 1380 CHF (£843) for sixth place down to 660 CHF (£405) for last place.

It is clear that once the cost of air fares and accommodation for the rider and his mechanic plus the cost of transporting bike from Europe to Argentina have no paid few if any of the riders will made any money but on the other hand if they do progress to the Grand Prix at least they have had an early lesson in how to lose money.

M.C.M.