Post by David on Apr 23, 2014 7:48:50 GMT
BASIC LEAGUE RULES
SPEEDWAY BIKES have no brakes, just one gear, a clutch and 500cc engines which run on methanol fuel and can accelerate to 60 mph, faster than a Formula 1 car!
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.
Four laps, clutch start, match decided on race points - 1st 3, 2nd 2, 3rd 1, 4th 0.
Riders are identified by Helmet Colours: Home Riders: Red and Blue, Visiting Riders: White and Yellow/black.
Track Signals: Flags displayed during the course of the race mean: Yellow & Black Diagonal Cross - Riders entering last lap. Black & White Chequered - Race finished. Black with accompanying disc - Rider Excluded. Red Lights around the Track - indication that a race has been stopped.
A coin toss takes place before Heat 1 and winning captain can either choose gate positions for Heat 1 or Heat 15.
A Tactical Ride (TR) is permitted after Heat 4. It can be used only once only when a team is 10 or more points in arrears - a programmed rider can then be nominated as a Tactical Ride.
The TR rider starts from the starting tapes and any race points scored are doubled (providing he beats an opposing rider). A TR can only be taken by each rider once and is not permitted after Heat 11 (Elite League) or Heat 12 (Premier). Tactical rides are not permitted in the National League.
All riders (No's 1-7) must have a minimum of three rides prior to Heat 15, unless prevented by injury and being declared unfit by Track Medical Officer.
Reserves shall be entitled to maximum of 7 rides, use as a Tactical Substitute, Rider Replacement or in nominated Riders Race, will count in the maximum rides allowed.
In the case that a Rider touches or breaks the Tapes, the Team Manager may, at his discretion, either use a Reserve in the original start position, or re-instate the guilty Rider to re-start on a 15-metre handicap. In Heat 15 if a rider commits a starting offence he can go off 15m or be replaced by another rider eligible for Heat 15.
LEAGUE SCORING SYSTEM
Home loss by any amount of points = 0
Home draw = 1
Home win by any amount of points = 3
Away loss by 7 points or more = 0
Away loss by 6 points or less = 1
Away draw = 2
Away win by between 1 and 6 points = 3
Away win by 7 points or more = 4
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;
• PREMIER League
• CHAMPIONSHIP League
• NATIONAL 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.
"It's fast, it's furious, it's family entertainment and it's at a track near you!!"
So to sum Speedway up it's four laps of all out speed, control, excitement and thrills as 4 riders go for the chequered flag in honour of their team! The best thing is that all this happens just yards from where you're standing and the stars of the show (the riders) are easily accessible to see and meet, so don't forget your cameras, autograph books and pens!
CLICK ON LINK ABOVE FOR AN INSIGHT INTO A SPEEDWAY BIKE.
And there is a track near you in Plymouth, at 
Marsh Mills.
Why not give it a try the atmosphere is great, the racing has to be seen to be believed, fun for all the family.
And look out for the BEAST.......