Ninh explains, the Rules of Speedway The object of the race is to be the first
Ninh explains, the Rules of Speedway The object of the race is to be the first

to cross the finish line after completing 4 laps around a track.
to cross the finish line after completing 4 laps around a track.

Motorcycle speedway, commonly referred to as just ‘speedway’ is a motorcycle racing
Motorcycle speedway, commonly referred to as just ‘speedway’ is a motorcycle racing

sport that is contested on an oval dirt track that measures a minimum of 260m and maximum
sport that is contested on an oval dirt track that measures a minimum of 260m and maximum

of 425m. Races are known as ‘heats’. Up to 6 riders
of 425m. Races are known as ‘heats’. Up to 6 riders

take part in any one heat, but is usually contested with 4 riders for safety reasons.
take part in any one heat, but is usually contested with 4 riders for safety reasons.

Riders will drive a specially modified motorcycle in order to corner a dirt track at high speeds.
Riders will drive a specially modified motorcycle in order to corner a dirt track at high speeds.

There are strict rules as to what the bike can and cannot do, and I’ll explain more
There are strict rules as to what the bike can and cannot do, and I’ll explain more

on that later. To start the race, riders will take their
on that later. To start the race, riders will take their

positions in one of the lanes at the start line.
positions in one of the lanes at the start line.

Each rider will be designated a colour, which corresponds to their position on the track.
Each rider will be designated a colour, which corresponds to their position on the track.

Once riders are in position, a gate will lift and the race begins.
Once riders are in position, a gate will lift and the race begins.

Riders will ride and powerslide their bikes around the track in as quick a time as possible.
Riders will ride and powerslide their bikes around the track in as quick a time as possible.

Heats are contested in 4 laps and the rider who crosses the finish line after 4 laps first,
Heats are contested in 4 laps and the rider who crosses the finish line after 4 laps first,

wins the heat and receives 3 points. The rider in 2nd place gets 2 points, 3rd place gets
wins the heat and receives 3 points. The rider in 2nd place gets 2 points, 3rd place gets

1 point and anyone else scores zero. If you fail to finish the race for any reason,
1 point and anyone else scores zero. If you fail to finish the race for any reason,

such as your bike bursting into flames, you also score nothing.
such as your bike bursting into flames, you also score nothing.

The most common format is the team competition. Two riders of each team will contest against
The most common format is the team competition. Two riders of each team will contest against

2 riders of another team. The home team wears red and blue helmet caps.
2 riders of another team. The home team wears red and blue helmet caps.

The away team, yellow and white. A team competition is contested over 15 heats.
The away team, yellow and white. A team competition is contested over 15 heats.

And the team with the most points after 15 heats, wins.
And the team with the most points after 15 heats, wins.

In an individual contest, the rider who has the most points after a designated number
In an individual contest, the rider who has the most points after a designated number

of the heats is the winner. Easiest sport ever, right?
of the heats is the winner. Easiest sport ever, right?

Not so fast there friend, there’s a few other things you’ll need to know before
Not so fast there friend, there’s a few other things you’ll need to know before

contesting in or watching speedway. For example:
contesting in or watching speedway. For example:

Motorcycles As mentioned before the rules of what a bike
Motorcycles As mentioned before the rules of what a bike

can and can’t do, is strict. I’m not going to cover everything here,
can and can’t do, is strict. I’m not going to cover everything here,

but the most salient points are: The bike must weigh at least 77kg.
but the most salient points are: The bike must weigh at least 77kg.

The bike must be fuelled with methanol with no additives.
The bike must be fuelled with methanol with no additives.

Bikes must not have any performance aids such as telemetry, superchargers or turbo chargers.
Bikes must not have any performance aids such as telemetry, superchargers or turbo chargers.

The bikes must have guards fitting over the engine’s moving parts, and other guards
The bikes must have guards fitting over the engine’s moving parts, and other guards

and deflectors for safety. And … bikes only have one gear … and must
and deflectors for safety. And … bikes only have one gear … and must

not have any brakes. You heard correctly, these bikes do not have
not have any brakes. You heard correctly, these bikes do not have

brakes. This results in a motorcycle that can do 0-60
brakes. This results in a motorcycle that can do 0-60

in about 2 seconds on dirt. Broadsliding
in about 2 seconds on dirt. Broadsliding

This is the technique used to corner the bike around the track. This involves tilting the
This is the technique used to corner the bike around the track. This involves tilting the

bike, pointing the wheel of the bike in the direction of travel, whilst using the back
bike, pointing the wheel of the bike in the direction of travel, whilst using the back

wheel to get as much traction on the track as possible. The riders leg can be also be
wheel to get as much traction on the track as possible. The riders leg can be also be

used for balance. This is an incredibly difficult skill to master.
used for balance. This is an incredibly difficult skill to master.

Disqualification. You can be disqualified for a number of reasons,
Disqualification. You can be disqualified for a number of reasons,

such as failing to turn up at the start line on time, not getting to the start line under
such as failing to turn up at the start line on time, not getting to the start line under

the bike’s own power, or using a bike that breaks the rules.
the bike’s own power, or using a bike that breaks the rules.

Disqualified riders are usually excluded from the heat.
Disqualified riders are usually excluded from the heat.

Strategy It might seem like a trivial race, but there’s
Strategy It might seem like a trivial race, but there’s

a lot of things to consider when trying to win a speedway heat. Some parts of the track
a lot of things to consider when trying to win a speedway heat. Some parts of the track

may be softer or harder than others. It’s up to you as the rider to figure out
may be softer or harder than others. It’s up to you as the rider to figure out

what the best line is, as it’s different for every track.
what the best line is, as it’s different for every track.

Then, you have to outsmart the other riders. Do you make a run for the line early, or wait
Then, you have to outsmart the other riders. Do you make a run for the line early, or wait

for them to go wide so that you can take the lead? That, is up you.
for them to go wide so that you can take the lead? That, is up you.

A faster bike, isn’t necessarily a better bike. It all depends on what your strategy
A faster bike, isn’t necessarily a better bike. It all depends on what your strategy

is try and win the heats.
is try and win the heats.

Ice Speedway
Ice Speedway

In cold countries, such as Russia, Sweden and Finland – speedway is contested on snow
In cold countries, such as Russia, Sweden and Finland – speedway is contested on snow

and ice. It’s almost exactly the same, except that
and ice. It’s almost exactly the same, except that

there is a separate class for bikes that are fitted with these menacing looking tyres.
there is a separate class for bikes that are fitted with these menacing looking tyres.

This is known as ‘studded tyre class’. The technique to ride these bikes is also
This is known as ‘studded tyre class’. The technique to ride these bikes is also

different.
different.

If you have found this video at all helpful, please be sure to like, share and subscribe.
If you have found this video at all helpful, please be sure to like, share and subscribe.

It takes me ages to make one of these things and good karma is very much appreciated.
It takes me ages to make one of these things and good karma is very much appreciated.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter also, but in the meantime – enjoy Speedway.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter also, but in the meantime – enjoy Speedway.

Ninh Ly - www.ninh.co.uk - @NinhLyUK
Ninh Ly - www.ninh.co.uk - @NinhLyUK