No brakes. One gear. 80 mph slides.
Welcome to speedway — the fastest one-minute motorsport on Earth.
Each race lasts about 60 seconds: four riders, four laps, pure chaos controlled by skill. In most countries it’s niche, but in Poland it’s a national passion. Weekly league matches bring 10–15,000 fans, the Warsaw Grand Prix packs 50,000+, and the all-time record is over 100,000 in Chorzów (1976).
What Is Speedway Racing?
Speedway is motorcycle racing on oval dirt tracks. The key is drifting — riders slide their bikes sideways into turns, balancing throttle and courage.
- 4 riders per race
- 4 laps
- 1 minute of action
Tracks are small and intense:
- U.S. ovals: about 1/8 mile (~220 yards)
- Europe: 270–440 yards long, 40–50 feet wide
Scoring is usually simple: 3 points for a win, 2 for second, 1 for third, and none for last place.
In most events, riders collect points across several heats to determine the winner. However, formats can vary — from international championships to national leagues.
In Europe, and especially in Poland, league racing is the heart of the sport. Teams face off in home-and-away matches, with riders scoring points for their clubs. This system fuels week-to-week excitement and explains why Polish stadiums are regularly packed with fans.
Variations also exist:
- Longtrack → up to 0.6 miles, six riders, 100+ mph.
- Ice Speedway → frozen tracks with spiked tires, a spectacular winter version.
Why Are Speedway Bikes So Unique?
These machines are like nothing else in motorsport:
- 500cc, ~80 HP
- Methanol-fueled
- 170 lbs (77 kg)
- 0–60 mph in under 3 sec
- Top speed ~80 mph (130 km/h)
- One gear, no brakes
They’re not street bikes. They exist for one purpose only: sliding fast on dirt.
Where Is Speedway Popular?
Speedway is raced on four continents, but Poland is the epicenter:
- Polish PGE Ekstraliga = the “NBA or NFL of speedway”
- Weekly matches: 10–15k fans
- Big events: 50k+ in Warsaw
- Record: 100k+ in Chorzów (1976)
Other strongholds include Sweden, Denmark, the UK, and Australia, where leagues are competitive but crowds are smaller — usually a few thousand.
Speedway in the USA
The U.S. has a proud history with five Individual World Champions: Jack Milne, Bruce Penhall, Sam Ermolenko, Billy Hamill, and Greg Hancock.
Today, racing continues in California (Auburn, Perris, Bakersfield, Industry Hills, Ventura) and New York State(Greene, Owego), with occasional events at smaller venues. The American scene is niche but passionate — and full of growth potential.
Why Watch Speedway?
- Fast → races last just 60 seconds.
- Furious → no brakes, no margin for error.
- Atmospheric → loud, colorful stadiums.
- Accessible → highlights and live events online.
Once you see a race, it’s hard not to get hooked.
Conclusion
Speedway is simple, fast, and addictive. No brakes, one gear, pure adrenaline.
👉 Follow MotoSpeedway to learn more, join the community, and see why millions of fans worldwide are hooked.