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.
The early history of speedway is debated, with evidence of small dirt-track meetings in Australia and the United States before World War I. An early American rider, Don Johns, was known for using the broadsiding technique before 1914, riding wide open through corners and throwing dirt into the air. This style, called Short Track Racing, was adopted by other American riders in the early 1920s. In Australia, a key promoter was New Zealand-born John S. Hoskins, who organized a successful meeting under lights at the West Maitland Showground in December 1923. This event introduced the sport’s distinctive steel shoe, originally made from worn coal shovels. Following Maitland’s success, meetings at Newcastle Showground in 1924 led to the construction of Newcastle Speedway, whose grand opening in November 1925 drew an audience of 42,000, roughly a third of Newcastle’s population. The first Australian Motorcycle Speedway Championship was held at Newcastle Showground in 1926 and was won by American rider Cec Brown. In 1928, Hoskins and 13 Australian riders sailed to England to introduce the sport there. The first UK meeting took place at High Beech in February 1928, though earlier clockwise races had occurred in 1927. The first UK meeting featuring brakeless bikes and broadsiding on loose dirt was held at High Beech in April 1928. Proto-speedway was also staged in Glasgow that same month, with the first fully professional meeting at Celtic Park later in April. On straight sections, speedway motorcycles reach speeds of up to 70 mph.
- field
- Motorcycle sport
- governing_body
- Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM)
- notable_early_promoter
- John S. Hoskins
Lore & Background
Motorcycle speedway is a motorcycle sport in which four, and occasionally up to six, riders compete over four anti-clockwise laps of a flat, oval circuit. The track surface is typically composed of dirt, loosely packed shale, or crushed rock, the latter being common in Australia and New Zealand. The motorcycles used are specialist machines that have only one gear and are fitted with no brakes. On the straight sections, these bikes can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. A defining characteristic of the sport is how riders navigate the bends: they slide their machines sideways in a technique known as powersliding or broadsiding, throwing up showers of dirt. The sport is administered internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), with domestic events regulated by FIM-affiliated national federations. Speedway enjoys popularity in Central and Northern Europe, and to a lesser extent in Australia and North America. Major competitions include the Speedway World Cup, while the highest-scoring individual across the Speedway Grand Prix events is crowned the world champion.
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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