Suspenseful Speedway
Speedway is organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
It is a motorcycle event that features 4 - 6 riders who compete in a tournament to decide the winner. The tournament, held in different countries each year, usually lasts one week. The riders race for 4 laps on an oval dirt or shale track. It takes the riders approximately 1 minute to complete the required 4 laps, which are between 260 - 400 metres long. At these break neck speeds, it's no wonder the Motto of Speedway is "no breaks, no gears, no fear".
The FIM stipulates that the track must be between 260 - 450 metres in length with a minimum of 10 metres in width (no maximum width is specified). The track must be made up of 4 respective layers of grading (shale, granite, brick granules, and other loose materials of no more than 7 mm in size). In addition, qualifying motorcycles must meet FIM standards and must not have brakes, must run on methanol, must use only one gear and must weigh a minimum of 77 kg.
Speedway is very popular in Eastern and Central European countries. North America, including Canada, also operates speedway tracks on a regular basis.
Speedway uses special motorcycles governed by the FIM's Track Racing Technical Rules. They must be fitted with a safety cut out device as a precautionary measure. Other specifications include:
- weight of 77kg (unfuelled)
- a four-stroke, single cylinder engine with a max capacity of 500cc and one carburettor and one spark plug
- Have guards fitted over moving engine parts where reasonable
- using a chain guard and peg as a safety measure
- using a dirt deflector
- being outfitted with a handlebar whose width is greater than 650mm and less than 850mm.
- no use of Titanium anywhere on the equipment
- no brakes of any form
- no supercharger of turbocharger
Points are scored based on wins. If the rider of a Team wins a heat, he scores 3 points for the Team. If he places 2nd, he will score 2 points. If he places 3rd, he will score 1 point for the Team. No points are awarded to Teams whose drivers do not make qualifying place finishes. As well, if a Team falls 6 points behind the leader, they can opt to replace the driver in the hopes of reducing the point lead. Only one substitution like this is allowed. Once a race is in progress, a rider is not allowed to receive assistance from persons who are not participating in the race. Originally, drivers could receive pushstarts from non-participants but, due to safety reasons, it is now prohibited.
