Speedway? What’s Speedway?

If I was to say Speedway to most people they would probably think….. Tracks of the NASCAR or Indy Car Series in America.

Speedway consists of four 500cc engine bikes with just ONE gear, a clutch and NO brakes. Fuelled by Methanol, these machines can reach speeds of up to 80mph and are capable of accelerating up to 60mph in 3 seconds……. Faster than a Formula One car. Racing anti-clockwise on 300 meter length oval circuits with such tight corners the riders have to literally kick the back wheel out to ‘Skid’ round them.

There are three Leagues in the United Kingdom, The Elite League, The Premier League and The National League, with the latter aimed to developing young riders. There is also a Grand Prix which takes place over 12 stages across the world and features 15 of the sports greatest riders, plus usually one wild card and two track reserves.

Race meetings are usually two teams racing against each other. Both teams consist of seven riders racing over 15 heats with 2 riders from each team per heat. Each heat is four laps of the circuit and lasts about 60 seconds but with no shortage of action. The Team managers decides the riding order with numbers 1 to 5 given to racers and 6 & 7 given to the reserves. Each team wears their team colours, with the home team wearing Red and Blue helmets and White and Yellow for the Away team.

The winning rider earns three points for his team, if he finishes second he earns two points, third he earns 1 point and nothing for finishing last. The team with the most points at the end of the meeting wins and correct points are added to the teams standing in their respective league.

League points are scored as follows:

• A Home loss by any amount of points = 0
• A Home draw = 1
• A Home win by any amount of points = 3
• An Away loss by seven or more points = 0
• An Away loss by six or less points = 1
• An Away draw = 2
• An Away win by six or less points = 3
• An Away win by seven or more = 4

There’s a great sense of togetherness in Speedway as fans can meet, get autographs and have pictures taken with the bikes and riders before the race meetings starts. Spectators are yards from intense speeds and excitement as the riders use all their gusto to take the chequered flag for their team.

Speedway is fast, furious, family entertainment and they might just be a venue near you…..

So why not check Speedway out……. You might just love it.