Cycle speedway is a form of bicycle racing which takes place on short oval outdoor dirt tracks, typically around 65-90 metres in length. Like motorcycle speedway, riders use machines without brakes or gears but, unlike motor speedway, the object is NOT to slide their bikes round the turns.

Cycle speedway is an individual, pairs or a team sport and each race is usually contested by up to four riders. A match normally consists of between 8 and 24 races with points awarded for placings in each race. A race day fixture might take in up to two, three or more matches. In a team event, the winning team will be the one with the highest total at the end of the match.

Races involve up to four riders racing anti-clockwise round four laps of the track, the winner being the first one across the line. The number of laps in a race can be adjusted with, for instance, under-10's competing over three laps. To compete in a race a rider must have access to a bike, helmet, gloves, racing shirt, track bottoms and some suitable footwear. Most equipment can be loaned from the club to begin with.

The bike is the only specialised piece of equipment a rider will require and it can come in several guises. A brand new machine could set you back hundreds of pounds but second hand bikes can be picked up quite cheaply.

A cycle speedway bike has several key features

Brakes

There aren't any. Your feet, friction or occasionally another rider usually do the trick. Because cycle speedway is a contact sport the bikes need to be as safe as possible which means the number of moving/dangerous parts needs to be kept to a minimum. No brakes, gears, trip computers or trick nuts will be found on a cycle speedway bike.

Handle bars

The handle bars are moulded into a rounded 'w' shape. This helps reduce the width of the bike for those shoulder to shoulder charges down the back straight.

Tyres

The tyres come in 26" and 24" sizes and are covered in moulded studs to provide grip on the slippery shale surface. Mountain bike wheels and tyres are also sometimes used.

Cornering

Riders usually slide their left, 'inside' foot along the track as they race round the turns. Physical contact is both legal and often necessary. The y bank the bike over using the extended leg to balance the bike achieving incredible breakneck speeds.

Despite the contact nature of the sport, serious injuries are very rare, leading to a very exciting, physically demanding and yet relatively safe off-road cycle sport.

Where can the sport be found?

Countries who are actively affiliated to the International Cycle Speedway Federation include England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Poland, Australia, the Netherlands and the United States, although cycle speedway is known to exist in Sweden, Ukraine and Russia. Riders from other countries including Austria, Germany and even Malta have been known to try their hand at cycle speedway with Ireland now regularly represented at full international level.

In the United Kingdom, cycle speedway emerged during the early post-World War II years when motorcycle speedway was also enjoying a boom. In 1971 the British Cycle Speedway Council was founded as its governing body. Today the sport is managed and administered by British Cycling, the governing body for all cycle sport in the UK except road time-trials. 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 British Cycling.

UK competitions are run annually, world championships biannually, alternating with the European championships. There are approximately 40 clubs in the UK.

A brief History of the club

The East Newport club was formed in May 2005. Club members have raised funds to restore the race track at the playing fields behind Waltwood Road through sponsored events and local businesses. The track was officially opened in October 2005 by the Mayor of Newport. The club will continue to improve the track and facilities, to make it a premier venue in Wales and the South West. The East Newport club is affiliated to the British Cycling Federation and the Welsh Cycling Union.

Membership

The club will continue to recruit as many new riders as possible with races, training and competitions organised to cater for riders of all ages and abilities, during the outdoor season which runs from March to October. Members will also be able to participate at occasional indoor events held during the winter months.

Club Nights

The club organises weekly club training nights, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from March to October. The sessions are open to all interested casual and regular riders at the Underwood track. Bikes and helmets are available for use by participants, with tuition provided by the club’s coaches at no charge to the riders.

Equipment

Bikes and helmets are available from the club for use by new riders. Club race jerseys and race gloves are provided for all competitions. All other clothing and equipment is to be provided by the competitors themselves.

Subscriptions

Due to the excellent fund-raising activities of the Club, these have been waived, to assist riders to achieve maximum participation and to enable riders to purchase their own equipment.

Competitions

The club will enter teams in various league and cup events:-

British Championships and British Junior League matches organised by the British cycling Federation’s Cycle Speedway Commission are generally held on Saturdays.

Within these various bodies, matches are staged at the following levels :- Under 8, Under 10, Under 13, Under 16, Under 19, Open and Over 40.

Insurance

Riders are covered for public liability insurance, but should they require personal accident cover, then they will need to take out their own policies.

IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE EAST NEWPORT CYCLE SPEEDWAY CLUB, OR REQUIRE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Rob Absalom, Club Secretary,

18, St Annes Crescent, Undy, Monmouthshire, NP26 3PL.

Tel: 01633 881846.

When you join East Newport Cycle Speedway Club, you are joining more than a racing team. We can offer you:

• A well organised club.

• Many events for all ages and abilities.

• Free subscription / Low membership fees.

• Free newsletters and annual reports.

• Dedicated up-to-date Web-site.

• Enjoying sport in a friendly atmosphere.

• Continually improving facilities in the sport in the South West.

• Racing for a competitive club.

• Sponsored competitions.

• Race kits supplied for matches.

• Subsidised travel for long away trips...

• Improving your general health and fitness.

• The most exciting cycle sport.

With a dedicated and enthusiastic committee behind it, East Newport is fast moving to become the complete cycle speedway club.

Come and share in our success

Join East Newport Cycle Speedway Club Now