| Cycle SpeedwayWhat It Is | ||||||
AN INTRODUCTION TO CYCLE SPEEDWAY
sited in large towns and cities as well as rural village settings.
Clubs are catered for by the national governing body, the BCF Cycle Speedway Commission.
Many of today's tracks, which vary in length from 60 to 90 metres, are situated in public parks, sports complexes and recreation
centres and come alive during the racing season which covers the months through from March to October.
The sport was developed in the late Forties under the influence of motorised speedway.
The ensueing years have seen the
image of cycle speedway change almost out of recognition although similarities with
the motorised version still exist
in so much that races take place in an anti-clockwise direction from a standing start
on an oval track. Four riders
race four laps in a sprint to reach the chequered flag which rarely takes longer than
50 seconds. The basic formula
is similar to speedway but places the emphasis on the fitness and skill of its riders,
the amateur competition
is governed by a comprehensive set of racing rules.
Spectators are important to the sport. Administrators and clubs cater for the general
public with facilities
such as refreshments and programmes, with seating available at some race venues. The
public address system
puts the finishing touches to the promotion by providing a fully informed commentary of
the proceedings.
The promotional effort, together with free admission often pays dividends, as crowds have
increasingly been attracted to big events in recent years.
Bike handling, technical ability and physical fitness play an important part in the
make up of a top rider.
The British Championships take place each year, of which the senior individual
championship is the
Under -10, Under-13, Schoolboy/girl (Under-16) and Junior (Under-19) championships also
take place.
From local mid-week competitions through to international championships,
Objectives:-
To maintain and develop the sport by encouraging participation, particularly in the
Contact:-
Paul West, Cycle Speedway Co-ordinator (direct),
Team Racing is the life blood of the sport and major leagues operate in regions of
England, Wales and Scotland.
Matches take place at weekends and in addition to regular team fixtures a number of
club events such as four team
tournaments, best pairs and individual competitions add variety to the racing calendar.
Minor leagues at county and
town level operate predominantly on a mid-week basis and often act as training grounds
for major clubs.
This can only be gained by experience and it is therefore not surprising that many of
the top class competitors
invited on the "open" circuit are in their late twenties or early thirties. However
there is plenty of racing to be
had for the younger riders. Most clubs promote under-13 Schoolboy/girl events
and Junior competitions for the under
nineteens. Senior members are always keen to assist with advice and often
donate equipment to the younger riders.
blue ribbon event attracting a large number of entries from all corners of the country.
A finals weekend
which takes place during the late summer bank holiday period with riders doing battle
in qualifying rounds
on both the Saturday and Sunday with each rider having a total of ten races. The top
sixteen scoring
riders on aggregate, progress to the Grand Final on the Monday afternoon and the winner
on the day emerges as
the British Cycle Speedway Champion.
The national team championships are divided into Schoolboy/girl, Junior and Senior
categories and offer clubs
the opportunity to participate in a truly nationwide competition. The Senior
championship is run on a similar
lines to the FA Challenge Cup - on a knockout tie basis
culminating in a grand final which is promoted each September.
cycle speedway has much to offer the potential rider, official or spectator.
If you would like to know more about this sport, please contact any of the clubs in
your area.
History:- British Cycle Speedway has existed since 1946. In 1971 the British Cycle Speedway Council was
founded
Cycle Speedway Commission
as its governing body. Today the sport is managed and administered by British Cycling,
the governing body
for all cycle sport in the UK. A management committee, known as the Cycle Speedway
Commission, advises on
discipline-specific racing rules and competitions. All cycle speedway riders and
referees
are required to be members of the British Cycling Federation.
British competitions are run annually, World Championships biannually alternating with
the European Championships.
There are approximately 40 clubs in Britain. Cycle Speedway can also be found in
Australia, Poland, Holland, Sweden and the United States of America.
youth and junior categories, by the promotion at grass roots level of equal competition
(based on either age or ability) through to national and international competition.
British Cycling, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester M11 4DQ
(Tel: 0161 274 2021)
(e-mail: paulwest@britishcycling.org.uk )