Motorcycle speedway
A no-brake, single-gear motorcycle sport on oval dirt tracks.
Motorcycle speedway, commonly called speedway, is a motorcycle sport in which four to six riders compete over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval dirt or shale track. The motorcycles are specialized machines with a single gear and no brakes, and riders powerslide or broadside through the bends. The sport is administered internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and features both domestic and international competitions, including the Speedway World Cup and the Speedway Grand Prix series, whose highest overall scorer is named world champion. Speedway is popular in Central and Northern Europe, and to a lesser extent in Australia and North America.
- field
- Motorcycle sport
- governing_body
- Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM)
- notable_early_promoter
- John S. Hoskins
Lore & Background
The early history of speedway race meetings is debated, with evidence of small dirt track meetings in Australia and the United States before World War I. By the early 1920s, his style was followed in the United States under the name Short Track Racing by riders such as Albert 'Shrimp' Burns, Maldwyn 'Floppy' Jones, and Eddie Brinck. The promoter was New Zealand-born John S. Hoskins, who introduced the speedway signatures of No Left Footpeg and the Steel Shoe, fashioned from worn coal shovels. The following year the sections were amalgamated and Vic Huxley won.
Reader's Guide
Motorcycle speedway is significant as a distinct form of track racing that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its unique no-brake, single-gear motorcycles and the technique of powersliding through corners. Its development involved key figures such as John S. The sport's early history is marked by disputed claims and multiple locations, reflecting its grassroots origins. Speedway remains popular in Central and Northern Europe and has a following in Australia and North America, with domestic events overseen by FIM-affiliated national federations. The sport's emphasis on sliding and high-speed cornering distinguishes it from other motorcycle racing disciplines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is motorcycle speedway and how does a race work?
Speedway is a motorcycle discipline in which four to six riders battle over four anti-clockwise laps on an oval dirt or shale circuit. The bikes are purpose-built with a single gear and no brakes, so every corner is taken by powersliding or broadsiding rather than braking into the turn.
Who governs the sport and what are its biggest competitions?
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) administers speedway at the international level. The two flagship events are the Speedway World Cup and the Speedway Grand Prix, where the rider who accumulates the highest overall score is crowned world champion.
Why is speedway considered distinct from other motorcycle racing?
Unlike road racing or motocross, speedway riders have no brakes and only one gear, so the entire skill set revolves around throttle control and managing a controlled slide through every corner. That constraint, combined with the tight oval layout, makes each four-lap race a constant negotiation between speed and grip.
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