HISTORY

The sport, known originally came to Britain in the late 1920’s from Australia.

RACING

A Race Meeting takes place on an Oval Shale Circuit, usually measuring between 220 & 400 metres, approximately 10-13 metres wide on the straights and between 12 & 18 metres wide on the bends and surrounded in its entirety by a Fence.

Four Riders take part in each race (referred to as a Heat) for 4 laps from a Starting Gate released remotely by the Meeting Referee when all 4 Riders are ready to race and remain stationary.

MOTORCYCLES

500cc single cylinder motorcycles with NO brakes. To stop quickly a rider lays his bike down on the track.

Only Methanol (wood alcohol) fuel is used.

The bikes have one set gear (altered by changing sprockets on the rear wheel or engine sprocket)

Push starts from the Pits area

Clutch starts at the Starting Gate

MEETINGS

All Speedway Meetings are held under the SCB Regulations.

Only persons with prior accreditation may engage in any Video, Zoom or Close-Range photography.

Flash photography is not permitted during racing, except from the Infield by Track Photographers.

In Great Britain we stage a mix of League (Team) Meetings and Individual Meetings during the Summer period starting in mid March and going through to the end of October..

For Team Meetings, Clubs race in one of 3 Major Leagues using a 15 Heat format;

• SGB PREMIERSHIP
  
  
• SGB CHAMPIONSHIP
  
  
• NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE

There are also Development Leagues which usually form the 2nd half of a Meeting.

In all Meetings, Riders are identified by their Helmet Colour: RED, BLUE, WHITE or YELLOW. In a Team Meeting the Home Team always wear RED & BLUE with the away Team using WHITE & YELLOW.

Track Signals

Flags:
Yellow with a black diagonal cross: Riders starting their last lap

Black & White Chequered: Race Finished

Black flag with an accompanying coloured disc: The Rider is disqualified

Disqualification Lights (Red, Blue, White or Yellow: Corresponding Rider is disqualified

Red Lights around the Track: Race has been stopped

Flashing Amber light with a Klaxon: Riders have 2 minutes to be under Starters orders.

POINTS

Rider scores 3 points for a race win, 2 for 2nd place, 1 for 3rd place but nothing for 4th place or a non-finish.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS: Ask the person next to you - Speedway fans are friendly and knowledgeable.