Motorcycle Speedway

Speedway is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. The motorcycles are specialist machines that use only one gear and have no brakes. Racing takes place on a flat oval track usually consisting of dirt, loosely packed shale, or crushed rock. Competitors use this surface to slide their machines sideways, power sliding or broadsiding into the bends. On the straight sections of the track, the motorcycles reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

Speedway uses a unique type of motorcycle, governed by the FIM’s “Track Racing Technical Rules”. In the past, bikes with upright engines were used (the name taken from the way the engine sits in the frame), but today most professional riders use laydown bikes as it is argued that they are easier to handle. As speedway bikes do not use brakes, the clutch is used as a release mechanism at the start of races. FIM regulations state that the motorcycles must have no brakes, are fueled by pure methanol, use only one gear and weigh a minimum of 77 kilograms. By using engine and rear wheel sprockets the gear ratio can be adjusted as required for track conditions. The use of methanol allows for an increased compression ratio to the engine producing more power than other fuels and resulting in higher speeds 81 mph when cornering.

Current R.T.S Speedway Rider(s)

James Shanes

Plymouth Devils: 2014
Somerset Rebels: 2016
Poole Pirates: 2017
Sheffield Tigers: 2018
Poole Pirates: 2018
Birmingham Brummies: 2019
Swindon Robins: 2020

Previous R.T.S Speedway Rider(s)

Chris Harris | Paul Fry | Phil Morris