MCN Festival: Speedway explained

At this year’s Carole Nash MCN Festival of Motorcycling we’re hosting a full round of the UK Speedway Championship, as Peterborough Panthers host the Newcastle Diamonds. But what is speedway? Well, you’re in for a treat because it’s a great spectator sport!

First, the bikes.

Speedway bikes are 500cc single-cylinder machines that run on methanol and they only have one gear. But the best/scariest bit? They have no brakes. So how do they slow down for and get round the corners I hear you ask? Well, they don’t. At least not in a conventional way. Riders throttle off on the approach to a corner and then open the throttle back up to powerslide through the corners on full opposite lock! Easy.*

*Actually it’s not easy it’s really hard and really scary.

The rules

Meetings are held on oval tracks, with the riders travelling in an anti-clockwise direction. Each team is made up of seven riders and a meeting consists of 15 races, with two riders from each team in every race. The winner earns his team three points, the second rider across the line two points, third place earns one point and the fourth and last rider will earn zero points.

Points for winning or losing rounds are a little more complicated. If the home team loses they get zero points, if they draw they get one point, and if they win, no matter by how many points, they get three points.

An away loss by seven points or more results in zero points, but an away loss by six points or less will earn the away team a point. An away draw is worth two points. If the away team wins by between one and six points they will gain three points. An away victory by seven points or more will see the away team awarded with four points.

Festival campers get in to see the speedway as part of their weekend pass, tickets for day visitors will be available to purchase on the gate for an additional £16.

Camping is a great way to experience all that the Festival has to offer. Campers gain early access into the show, have the opportunity to be the first to sign up for test rides and bag a bargain, plus there’s some great evening entertainment for those who stay all weekend. Yamaha will be hosting the MT Dark Side Party on both Friday and Saturday evening with plenty of live music to get the party in full swing. Save £10 on a camping ticket*

Camping tickets start at just £30*

*Savings over standard on-the-gate prices. Savings on camping tickets is based on a group booking of four adults or more. Transaction fees apply.

The Carole Nash MCN Festival of Motorcycling takes place at the East of England Arena. Head to www.mcnfestival.com for more info.

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