Long track
Encyclopedia
The Long track is a very similar to speedway
but it takes place on 1000 metre tracks and consequently speeds are much higher. There are also subtle differences between the machinery in that a longtrack bike is slightly larger and has a two-speed gearbox. Races (or heats) usually consist of six riders although occasionally they have eight.
The sport is popular in Germany
, perhaps even more so than speedway. This means that the majority of tracks are to be found in that country, although tracks can also be found in France
, the Netherlands
, the Czech Republic
, Finland
and Norway
. Occasionally, longtrack meetings are held in Australia
and the United States
, but these generally take place around converted horse trotting arenas.
The similarities with speedway means that many riders from that discipline also take part in longtrack. Whilst there are no leagues in longtrack, there are many lucrative open meetings which offer a means of additional income. Longtrack is also closely related to grasstrack
and most riders compete in both disciplines.
The International Motorcycling Federation
(FIM), the World's motorcycle racing authority run a World Longtrack series as well as a World Championships. Although both events are named Long Track, they often are competed for on Grass
.
The Individual Long Track World Championship competitors must qualify through a series of Qualifiers. Riders must be selected by their nations motorcycling authority. Riders then must compete in Qualifying rounds and hotly contested Semi Finals before reaching the World Longtrack series proper.
The Team Long Track World Championship
involves each team consisting of 3 riders racing each other for points. The top team at the end is the winner. Germany
have won first place in all of the past championships.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
but it takes place on 1000 metre tracks and consequently speeds are much higher. There are also subtle differences between the machinery in that a longtrack bike is slightly larger and has a two-speed gearbox. Races (or heats) usually consist of six riders although occasionally they have eight.
The sport is popular in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, perhaps even more so than speedway. This means that the majority of tracks are to be found in that country, although tracks can also be found in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. Occasionally, longtrack meetings are held in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, but these generally take place around converted horse trotting arenas.
The similarities with speedway means that many riders from that discipline also take part in longtrack. Whilst there are no leagues in longtrack, there are many lucrative open meetings which offer a means of additional income. Longtrack is also closely related to grasstrack
Grasstrack
Motorcycle Grasstrack is a form of motorcycle racing which typically, in its current form, takes place on a flat track consisting of two straights and two bends usually constructed in a field. Mountain and hillside tracks are also common in the UK, creating more technically demanding circuits...
and most riders compete in both disciplines.
Competitions
| World (FIM Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions.... ) |
|
|---|---|
| Seniors | |
| Individual | World Individual (1971-) European Individual (1957-1970) |
| Team | World Team Team Long Track World Championship The FIM Team Long Track World Championship is an annual long track event held each year organized by the International Motorcycling Federation since 2007... (2007-) |
The International Motorcycling Federation
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
(FIM), the World's motorcycle racing authority run a World Longtrack series as well as a World Championships. Although both events are named Long Track, they often are competed for on Grass
Grasstrack
Motorcycle Grasstrack is a form of motorcycle racing which typically, in its current form, takes place on a flat track consisting of two straights and two bends usually constructed in a field. Mountain and hillside tracks are also common in the UK, creating more technically demanding circuits...
.
The Individual Long Track World Championship competitors must qualify through a series of Qualifiers. Riders must be selected by their nations motorcycling authority. Riders then must compete in Qualifying rounds and hotly contested Semi Finals before reaching the World Longtrack series proper.
The Team Long Track World Championship
Team Long Track World Championship
The FIM Team Long Track World Championship is an annual long track event held each year organized by the International Motorcycling Federation since 2007...
involves each team consisting of 3 riders racing each other for points. The top team at the end is the winner. Germany
Germany national long track team
The Germany national long track team is the national long track team of Germany and is controlled by the Deutscher Motor Sport Bund. The team was started in all editions of Team Long Track World Championship and they won World Champion title all the time...
have won first place in all of the past championships.
External links
- Long Track at FIMFédération Internationale de MotocyclismeThe Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
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