Speedway in Poland
Encyclopedia
Speedway
is one of the most popular sports in Poland
. The Polish Extraleague has the highest average attendances for any sport in Poland. The first meetings in Poland were held in the 1930s.
Speedway in Poland
is governed by the Main Commission of Speedway Sport
(Główna Komisja Sportu Żużlowego, GKSŻ) which is a part of the Polish Motor Union (Polski Związek Motorowy
, PZM). PZM is a member of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
(FIM) and the Union Européenne de Motocyclisme
(UEM).
There are three championships in Poland:
The Junior U-21 championships also has three championships:
Since 2004 the Second League has included clubs from other countries -
In the 2009 season
, the Extraleague and First League have eight teams competing. The second League has seven teams.
Unibax Toruń
(since 1976) have never been relegated to a lower division.
(seven titles). Poland has produced two Individual World Champion - Jerzy Szczakiel
who won in 1973
and Tomasz Gollob
who won in 2010. Polish junior riders are among the best in the world. The Polish National U-21 team won the Under 21 World Championship
since 2005 in every years (lately in 2007
). Besides, since 2000 Polish juniors won medals of Individual U-21 World Championship
. Polish riders have been World Champions seven times at Under 21 level (lately Karol Ząbik
in 2006
).
, Poland hosts three Speedway Grand Prix
events (two Polish
and one European
SGP:
Previously, SGP events was host in:
Note: riders in bold type are current riders.
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...
is one of the most popular sports in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. The Polish Extraleague has the highest average attendances for any sport in Poland. The first meetings in Poland were held in the 1930s.
Speedway in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
is governed by the Main Commission of Speedway Sport
Main Commission of Speedway Sport
The Main Commission of Speedway Sport is governs the sport of motorcycle speedway on behalf of the Polish Motor Union . The members are appointed by the PZM...
(Główna Komisja Sportu Żużlowego, GKSŻ) which is a part of the Polish Motor Union (Polski Związek Motorowy
Polski Zwiazek Motorowy
The Polski Związek Motorowy is an automobile club and the governing body of motorsports in Poland. It is based in Warsaw.Established in 1950 by merging the Polish Car Club and the Polish Motorcycle Association...
, PZM). PZM is a member of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
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) and the Union Européenne de Motocyclisme
Union Européenne de Motocyclisme
The Union Européenne de Motocyclisme or European Motorcycle Union is the FIM affiliated federation responsible for Motorcycle sport within Europe.-History:...
(UEM).
Championships
| Poland (Polish Motor Union Polski Zwiazek Motorowy The Polski Związek Motorowy is an automobile club and the governing body of motorsports in Poland. It is based in Warsaw.Established in 1950 by merging the Polish Car Club and the Polish Motorcycle Association... , PZM) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | Pair | Team | |
| Seniors | IMP Individual Speedway Polish Championship The Individual Speedway Polish Championship is an annual speedway event held each year organized by the Polish Motor Union since 1932.... (since 1932/1949) |
MPPK Polish Pairs Speedway Championship The Polish Pairs Speedway Championship is an annual speedway event held each year in different polish clubs organized by the Polish Motor Union since 1974.... (since 1974) |
DMP Team Speedway Polish Championship The Team Speedway Polish Championship is an annual speedway event held each year in different polish clubs organized by the Polish Motor Union since 1948.... (since 1948) |
| Juniors U-21 | MIMP Individual Speedway Junior Polish Championship The Individual Speedway Junior Polish Championship is an annual speedway event held each year organized by the Polish Motor Union since 1967. Polish riders aged 21 and under take part.-Previous winners:-References:* http://sportowefakty.pl... (od 1967) |
MMPPK Polish Pairs Speedway Junior Championship The Polish Pairs Speedway Junior Championship is an annual speedway event held each year in different polish clubs organized by the Polish Motor Union since 1983.First edition was in 1980, but it was a Junior U-23 event.... (since 1983) |
MDMP Team Speedway Junior Polish Championship The Team Speedway Polish Championship is an annual speedway event held each year in different polish clubs organized by the Polish Motor Union since 1978.... (since 1978) |
There are three championships in Poland:
- individual (Indywidualne Mistrzostwa Polski; IMP)
- pairs (Mistrzostwa Polski Par Klubowych; MPPK)
- team (three leagues; Drużynowe Mistrzostwa Polski; DMP).
The Junior U-21 championships also has three championships:
- individual (Młodzieżowe Indywidualne Mistrzostwa Polski; MIMP)
- pairs (Młodzieżowe Mistrzostwa Polski Par Klubowych; MMPPK)
- and team (Młodzieżowe Drużynowe Mistrzostwa Polski; MDMP).
Teams (league competition)
There are three leagues:- Speedway ExtraleagueSpeedway EkstraligaThe Speedway Ekstraliga is the top division of speedway in Poland. It has been called the "richest and most popular speedway league in the world" and attracts riders from all over the world...
(Ekstraliga żużlowa) - First League (Pierwsza Liga)
- Second League (Druga Liga)
Since 2004 the Second League has included clubs from other countries -
- LatviaLatviaLatvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
: Lokomotiv DaugavpilsLokomotiv DaugavpilsLokomotiv Daugavpils is a Latvian motorcycle speedway team based in Daugavpils who currently race in Polish First League . The club never rode in the Polish top division.- Stadium :...
(since 2005, formerly as Speedway Daugavpils) - HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
: Speedway Miskolc (since 2006) - Czech RepublicCzech RepublicThe 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....
: Olymp Prague (2007, or Marketa Prague) - UkraineUkraineUkraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
: SKA Speedway Lviv (2004), SC Trofimow Rivne (2005), Ukraina Rivne (2006), Speedway Rivne (2008), Kaskada Rivne (since 2009)
In the 2009 season
2009 Team Speedway Polish Championship
The 2009 Team Speedway Polish Championship will be the 2009 version of the Team Speedway Polish Championship organized by the Polish Motor Union and Speedway Ekstraliga LLC . In 2009 there will be three leagues: Ekstraliga, First and Second League...
, the Extraleague and First League have eight teams competing. The second League has seven teams.
Unibax Toruń
KS Torun
KS Toruń is a Polish speedway team from Toruń, Poland. Formerly known as Apator Toruń .- Team Information :* Full name: Klub Sportowy Toruń Unibax SA* Address: 87-100 Toruń, ul. Pera Jonssona 7...
(since 1976) have never been relegated to a lower division.
Cups
- Individual Speedway Polish Cup (Indywidualny Puchar Polski, IPP)
- Team Speedway Polish Cup (Drużynowy Puchar Polski, DPP)
Helmets
GKSŻ organizes the Golden Helmet, Silver Helmet and Bronze Helmet competitions.- The Golden HelmetGolden Helmet (Poland)The Golden Helmet is an annual speedway event, and has been organized by the Polish Motor Union since 1961. The race is held in PC Team 3rd from last season , with the top twelve riders in the Extraleague and the top four riders in the First League...
(Złoty Kask, ZK) is a single meeting held in PC Team 3rd from last season (before usually in Wrocław), with the top twelve riders in the Extraleague and the top four riders in the First League. The Winner get a new motorcycle Java. - The Silver HelmetSilver Helmet (Poland)The Silver Helmet is an annual speedway event held each year organized by the Polish Motor Union since 1966.Final Meeting held in PC Team U-21 3rd from last season.-Previous winners:...
(Srebrny Kask, SK) is an individual competition for riders under 21 years of age for the top sixteen riders in the Extraleague, the top ten riders in the First League, and the six two riders in the Second League competing. A Final event held in PC Team U-21 3rd from last season. - The Bronze HelmetBronze Helmet (Poland)The Bronze Helmet is an annual speedway event held each year organized by the Polish Motor Union since 1976.-Previous winners:...
(Brązowy Kask, BK) is an individual competition similar to the Silver Helmet except the riders must be under 19 years of age. Riders are nominated for this competition by their teams.
Friendly
Other competitions include (individual meetings), e.g.:- Mieczysław Połukard Criterium of Polish Speedway Leagues Aces (Kryterium Asów Polskich Lig Żużlowych im. Mieczysława Połukarda) held in the Polonia StadiumStadion Polonii BydgoszczPolonia Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland. It is currently used mostly speedway matches and is the home stadium of Polonia Bydgoszcz. The stadium has a capacity of 20,000 people and was opened in 1924 by president Stanisław Wojciechowski.-See also:* Stadion Zawiszy...
in Bydgoszcz. It is seen by riders and fans as the official opening of the new season. First staged in 1982, although a similar meeting was held in the 1950s.
- Crest Chain of Ostrów Town (Łańcuch Herbowy Miasta Ostrowa) held in Ostrów WielkopolskiOstrów WielkopolskiOstrów Wielkopolski is a town in central Poland with 72,360 inhabitants , situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship; the seat of Ostrów Wielkopolski County.-History:Recently, a small fortified dwelling dating from the 10th century was discovered on the north-east side of...
. It is the official end of season meeting. First staged in 1978.
- Alfred Smoczyk Memorial (Memoriał im. Alfreda Smoczyka) Alfred Smoczyk was the first Polish speedway superstar. He successfully competed on Dutch tracks in the late 1940s, but died in a road accident in October 1950. This meeting has been held every year since 1951 in LesznoLesznoLeszno is a town in central Poland with 63,955 inhabitants . Situated in the southern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999, it was previously the capital of the Leszno Voivodeship . The town has county status.-History:...
, where he lived, in the Alfred Smoczyk StadiumAlfred Smoczyk StadiumAlfred Smoczyk Stadium is a stadium in Leszno, Poland. It is currently used speedway matches and is the home stadium of Unia Leszno. The stadium has a capacity of 15,000 people.The stadium is located on ulica Strzelecka 7.- Alfred Smoczyk :...
.
- Edward Jancarz Memorial (Memoriał im. Edwarda Jancarza) in Gorzów WielkopolskiGorzów WielkopolskiGorzów Wielkopolski is a city in western Poland, on the Warta river. It is the biggest city in the Lubusz Voivodeship with 125,149 inhabitants...
.
National team
The Polish National team are the current World Champions2007 Speedway World Cup
The 2007 Speedway World Cup was the 7th FIM Speedway World Cup season. The Final took place on July 21, 2007 in the Alfred Smoczyk Stadium in Leszno, Poland. The tournament was won by host team Poland and they beat defending champion Denmark , Australia and Great Britain in the...
(seven titles). Poland has produced two Individual World Champion - Jerzy Szczakiel
Jerzy Szczakiel
Jerzy Szczakiel is a Speedway rider. He is one of two Polish nationales to win the Speedway World Championship, the other being 2010 Speedway Grand Prix champion Tomasz Gollob....
who won in 1973
1973 Individual Speedway World Championship
The 1973 Individual Speedway World Championship.The 1973 World Final was won by Polish rider Jerzy Szczakiel following a run-off in with defending champion Ivan Mauger after both riders had finished on 13 points. In the run-off Mauger fell in turn 3 after trying a risky passing move leaving...
and Tomasz Gollob
Tomasz Gollob
Tomasz Gollob is a Polish motorcycle speedway rider who has appeared in every Speedway Grand Prix series since its inaugural season in 1995. His brother Jacek is also a speedway rider.-Career summary:...
who won in 2010. Polish junior riders are among the best in the world. The Polish National U-21 team won the Under 21 World Championship
Team Speedway Junior World Championship
The Team Speedway Junior World Championship is an annual speedway event held each year in different countries . The first edition of the competition was in 2005. Current World Champions are Russia team, who won in 2011 Final...
since 2005 in every years (lately in 2007
2007 Team Speedway Junior World Championship
The 2007 Team Speedway Junior World Championship is the 3rd FIM Team Speedway Junior World Championship season. The Final took place on September 23rd 2007 in Abensberg, Germany....
). Besides, since 2000 Polish juniors won medals of Individual U-21 World Championship
Individual Speedway Junior World Championship
The Individual Speedway Junior World Championship is an annual speedway event held each year organized by the International Motorcycling Federation since 1977...
. Polish riders have been World Champions seven times at Under 21 level (lately Karol Ząbik
Karol Zabik
Karol Ząbik is a Polish speedway rider who has won World, European and Polish Under-21 titles and has ridden for the Polish national junior team....
in 2006
2006 Individual Speedway Junior World Championship
-World final:*September 2, 2006 Terenzano-Heat after heat:# Ząbik, Carpanese, King, Miedziński# Miesiąc, Aldén, Kling, Moller# Hefenbrock, Lindbäck, Holder, Petterson# Lindgren, Pavlic, Hlib, Simota...
).
Speedway Grand Prix in Poland
In 2010 season2010 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2010 Speedway Grand Prix season was the 16th season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, and decided the 65th FIM Speedway World Championship. It was the tenth series under the promotion of Benfield Sports International, an IMG company...
, Poland hosts three Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
events (two Polish
Speedway Grand Prix of Poland
The Speedway Grand Prix of Poland is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.-Winners:-See also:...
and one European
Speedway Grand Prix of Europe
The Speedway Grand Prix of Europe is a speedway event that is a part of the Speedway Grand Prix Series.-Winners:-See also:* List of Speedway Grand Prix riders...
SGP:
- Bydgoszcz at Polonia Stadium (since 1998),
- LesznoLesznoLeszno is a town in central Poland with 63,955 inhabitants . Situated in the southern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999, it was previously the capital of the Leszno Voivodeship . The town has county status.-History:...
at Alfred Smoczyk StadiumAlfred Smoczyk StadiumAlfred Smoczyk Stadium is a stadium in Leszno, Poland. It is currently used speedway matches and is the home stadium of Unia Leszno. The stadium has a capacity of 15,000 people.The stadium is located on ulica Strzelecka 7.- Alfred Smoczyk :...
(since 2008) and - ToruńTorunToruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
at MotoArena ToruńMotoArena ToruńMarian Rose MotoArena Toruń is a multi-use stadium in Toruń, Poland. It is currently used mostly for motorcycle speedway matches and is the home stadium of KST Unibax Toruń in the Speedway Ekstraliga. The stadium has a capacity of 15,500 people and was opened on 3 May 2009...
(since 2010).
Previously, SGP events was host in:
- ChorzówChorzówChorzów is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Chorzów is one of the central districts of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
at Silesian Stadium (2002–04) and - Wrocław at Olympic Stadium (1995–97, 1999-00, 2004–07)
Famous riders
- Tomasz GollobTomasz GollobTomasz Gollob is a Polish motorcycle speedway rider who has appeared in every Speedway Grand Prix series since its inaugural season in 1995. His brother Jacek is also a speedway rider.-Career summary:...
(born 1971): Individual Polish Champion eight times (lately in 2009), Polish World Champion in 20102010 Speedway Grand PrixThe 2010 Speedway Grand Prix season was the 16th season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, and decided the 65th FIM Speedway World Championship. It was the tenth series under the promotion of Benfield Sports International, an IMG company... - Andrzej HuszczaAndrzej HuszczaAndrzej Huszcza is a former Polish international motorcycle speedway rider who was a reserve in the 1988 World Final in Vojens, Denmark....
(born 1957): Has been riding since 1975 till 2007 - Edward JancarzEdward JancarzEdward 'Ed' Jancarz was an international speedway rider.-Career:Jancarz rode in the UK for the Wimbledon Dons between 1977–1982 and in Poland for Stal Gorzów...
(1946–1992) - Rune HoltaRune HoltaRune Holta , grew up in Randaberg Norway. He is an international speedway rider who has been a Polish citizen since 2002, allowing him to represent Poland in international competitions and was a member of their Speedway World Cup winning teams in 2005, 2007 & 2010...
(born 1973): the only Individual Polish Champion winner who is a naturalized citizen of Poland (born NorwegianNorwayNorway , 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...
). - Zenon PlechZenon PlechZenon Plech is a former Polish international motorcycle speedway rider.He finished third in the Speedway World Championship in 1973 and then runner-up in 1979.-Career summary:...
(b. 1953): Individual Polish Champion five times, double WC Individual medallist (1973 and 1979) - Mieczysław Połukard (1930–1985): the first Polish rider to ride in the Individual World ChampionshipSpeedway World ChampionshipThe World Championship of Speedway is an international competition between the highest ranked motorcycle speedway riders of the world. Today, it is organised as a series of Speedway Grand Prix events, where points are awarded according to performance in the event and tallied up at the end of each...
Final in 1959 - Alfred Smoczyk (1928–1950): the first PC Individual champion after World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
(in 1949) - Jerzy SzczakielJerzy SzczakielJerzy Szczakiel is a Speedway rider. He is one of two Polish nationales to win the Speedway World Championship, the other being 2010 Speedway Grand Prix champion Tomasz Gollob....
(b. 1949): the first Polish World Champion in 1973 - Paweł Waloszek (b. 1938): the first silver WC Individual medallist (1970)
- Antoni WorynaAntoni WorynaAntoni Woryna was an international motorcycle speedway rider who appeared in the Speedway World Championship finals five times, and was the first Polish rider to win a medal at that level when he won the bronze medal in 1966...
(b. 1941): the first WC Individual medallist (bronze in 1966) and the first double WC Individual medallist (bronze in 1970)
Note: riders in bold type are current riders.