ICE SPEEDWAY // WHAT IS IT?
_Simply put, it is a form of motorcycle speedway, with the more commonly recognised shale field of play substituted for ice.
ICE SPEEDWAY // WHEN IS IT?
The Ice Speedway season typically fills the gap left by the 'regular' shale Speedway off-season, starting in December and ending around March.
iCE SPEEDWAY // WHERE CAN I WATCH IT?
Togliatti, Russia
Ice Speedway is held in a number of Countries across Europe, Russia and the United States.
Generally speaking though, Ice Speedway is most prevalent in Siberian Russia, Sweden and Finland, with major events also staged in both the Netherlands and Germany.
Tracks can either be artificial/refrigerated (usually long-track speed-skating tracks given the necessary length) or natural (typically frozen lakes). The lack of either feasible option in the UK (there are no long-track speed-skating tracks in the UK) is one reason why the Sport has not yet debuted in full spiked form over here.
For those keen to quench their thirst without fully committing to travelling to a live event, cable and satellite channel, Motors TV, has now started to broadcast a very good highlights show, typically aired the week after each of the rounds of the World Individual ('Ice Spedway Gladiators') Championship.
Readers of ISW will, of course, find out first, when the Motors TV programming will be aired.
Generally speaking though, Ice Speedway is most prevalent in Siberian Russia, Sweden and Finland, with major events also staged in both the Netherlands and Germany.
Tracks can either be artificial/refrigerated (usually long-track speed-skating tracks given the necessary length) or natural (typically frozen lakes). The lack of either feasible option in the UK (there are no long-track speed-skating tracks in the UK) is one reason why the Sport has not yet debuted in full spiked form over here.
For those keen to quench their thirst without fully committing to travelling to a live event, cable and satellite channel, Motors TV, has now started to broadcast a very good highlights show, typically aired the week after each of the rounds of the World Individual ('Ice Spedway Gladiators') Championship.
Readers of ISW will, of course, find out first, when the Motors TV programming will be aired.
ICE SPEEDWAY // EQUIPMENT & RIDING TECHNIQUE
Upon initial inspection, the bikes appear similar to those used in regular Speedway, but in fact posess a longer wheelbase and have a more rigid frame.
They do, however, also posess 500cc single-cylinder engines, fuelled by methanol.
There are two classes of Ice Speedway - Full-rubber and studded tyres.
Studded tyres comprise spikes of up to 28mm in length, screwed into each treadless tyre - approximately 120 spikes on the front tyre and 180-200 on the rear.
The spikes necessitate the addition of special protective guards (similar to mudguards) over both wheels to try and lessen the possibility of any major injuries during collisions or falls.
The spiked tyres produce so much traction that two-speed gearboxes are used to unleash full capabilities!
Unlike in regular season Speedway, on the ice, and in full studded form, no broadsiding of the bikes takes place due to the immense grip produced by the spikes digging into the ice. Instead, riders lean their bikes into the bends at an angle where the handlebars just skim the track surface - rather like an extreme version of road/track motorcycle racing.
They do, however, also posess 500cc single-cylinder engines, fuelled by methanol.
There are two classes of Ice Speedway - Full-rubber and studded tyres.
Studded tyres comprise spikes of up to 28mm in length, screwed into each treadless tyre - approximately 120 spikes on the front tyre and 180-200 on the rear.
The spikes necessitate the addition of special protective guards (similar to mudguards) over both wheels to try and lessen the possibility of any major injuries during collisions or falls.
The spiked tyres produce so much traction that two-speed gearboxes are used to unleash full capabilities!
Unlike in regular season Speedway, on the ice, and in full studded form, no broadsiding of the bikes takes place due to the immense grip produced by the spikes digging into the ice. Instead, riders lean their bikes into the bends at an angle where the handlebars just skim the track surface - rather like an extreme version of road/track motorcycle racing.
ICE SPEEDWAY // THE RULES & REGULATIONS
In reality, the rules broadly mirror those of Speedway.
Four riders (whether individuals or representing a Club/Country) race four laps of the ice oval, with the winner gaining 3 points, second place bagging 2 points, third place stealing a single point, and the fourth placed man...well...nothing for last I am afraid!
International Ice Speedway competition is regulated by the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme). Should you wish to take a more detailed insight into how the Sport is governed, a full copy of the official 2013 FIM regulations is attached below available for free download at your leisure. Pages 96 - 112 relate specifically to Ice Speedway regulations.
Four riders (whether individuals or representing a Club/Country) race four laps of the ice oval, with the winner gaining 3 points, second place bagging 2 points, third place stealing a single point, and the fourth placed man...well...nothing for last I am afraid!
International Ice Speedway competition is regulated by the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme). Should you wish to take a more detailed insight into how the Sport is governed, a full copy of the official 2013 FIM regulations is attached below available for free download at your leisure. Pages 96 - 112 relate specifically to Ice Speedway regulations.
| 6550001_eng.pdf |
ICE SPEEDWAY // WHO ARE THE RIDERS I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
NIKOLAY KRASNIKOV (Russia)
Virtually unprecedented in the World of Motorsport, Russian, Nikolay Krasnikov has won every single World Individual Ice Speedway Championship between 2005 - 2012. That is a frankly astounding total of eight (8!!) straight World crowns.
What makes his achievements even more impressive, is that he has done this all as a man in his twenties, in a time where Russia has been churning out fresh Ice Speedway talent at a rate of knots, and, all virtually under the radar of any mainstream media attention - both very sad, but perhaps also even more special for those who were fortunate enough to see Krasnikov race live even just the once. Krasnikov retired at the end of the 2011/2012 season.
What makes his achievements even more impressive, is that he has done this all as a man in his twenties, in a time where Russia has been churning out fresh Ice Speedway talent at a rate of knots, and, all virtually under the radar of any mainstream media attention - both very sad, but perhaps also even more special for those who were fortunate enough to see Krasnikov race live even just the once. Krasnikov retired at the end of the 2011/2012 season.
DANIIL IVANOV (Russia)
The young pretender who was hot on the heels of the great Krasnikov for the last few years of his International career, Daniil Ivanov was the World Championship runner-up three times (2009, 2010 & 2012), and also claimed a third place finish in 2011, before finally clinching the top accolade in 2013 following Krasnikov's retirement.
There is no doubting Daniil's talent and raw speed, but it is less certain that he will be able to replicate Krasnikov's dominance of the World Crown, particularly given the emergence of new Russian talent in the series such as Dmitry Koltakov.
There is no doubting Daniil's talent and raw speed, but it is less certain that he will be able to replicate Krasnikov's dominance of the World Crown, particularly given the emergence of new Russian talent in the series such as Dmitry Koltakov.
FRANZ ZORN (Austria)
Arguably, the Sport's brightest character is a current rider - the Austrian, Franz 'Franky' Zorn (pictured left) who is most notable for his trademark long blonde locks, and sponsorship by Red Bull...
Far be it for us to ignore his riding talents however - undoubtedly one of the best of the current crop of Western Europeans, for some time, he has been attempting to break the dominance of the Russians with mixed success. His best result to date seeing him claim the European Ice Speedway Championship in 2008.
In the World Individual Championship, he has a highest placing of runner-up, achieved back in 2000.
Far be it for us to ignore his riding talents however - undoubtedly one of the best of the current crop of Western Europeans, for some time, he has been attempting to break the dominance of the Russians with mixed success. His best result to date seeing him claim the European Ice Speedway Championship in 2008.
In the World Individual Championship, he has a highest placing of runner-up, achieved back in 2000.
HEINZ GOLDI (Switzerland)
Most Ice Speedway fans will probably wonder why I have included Heinz Goldi on this list, but he deserves his place, merely for being an inspiration to us all.
Heinz isn't one of the Sport's superstars, but, instead, he goes about his business, racing the annual circuit....with one leg.
Having lost his left leg to amputation following a serious road motorcycle accident a few years ago, Heinz sports a wooden peg-leg with a metal spike at the bottom for additional traction. In my mind, this man is an absolute hero, and a half-decent rider to boot.
Heinz isn't one of the Sport's superstars, but, instead, he goes about his business, racing the annual circuit....with one leg.
Having lost his left leg to amputation following a serious road motorcycle accident a few years ago, Heinz sports a wooden peg-leg with a metal spike at the bottom for additional traction. In my mind, this man is an absolute hero, and a half-decent rider to boot.
GABDRACHMAN KADYROV (USSR)
Between 1966 and 1983, the Eastern Bloc countries ensured a complete shut-out of the World Individual Crown. Sixteen of those Championships went to riders representing the USSR, with two going to Czechoslovakian riders.
During this period of absolute Soviet dominance, one rider from the USSR led the way - Gabdrachman Kadyrov from Ufa, Russia.
Until 2011 he was the single most decorated rider in Ice Speedway history, with six individual crowns, and not forgetting a runners-up spot in 1970, and a third place finish in 1974.
Like his future protege, Mr Krasnikov, Kadyrov raced during another period where the conveyor belt of Soviet talent appeared to be endless, perhaps making his achievements even more impressive.
During this period of absolute Soviet dominance, one rider from the USSR led the way - Gabdrachman Kadyrov from Ufa, Russia.
Until 2011 he was the single most decorated rider in Ice Speedway history, with six individual crowns, and not forgetting a runners-up spot in 1970, and a third place finish in 1974.
Like his future protege, Mr Krasnikov, Kadyrov raced during another period where the conveyor belt of Soviet talent appeared to be endless, perhaps making his achievements even more impressive.
PER-OLOF 'Posa' SERENIUS (Sweden)
Every Ice Speedway fan should know this man's name.
Per-Olof Serenius (or 'POSA' as he is affectionately known) is a living legend in the ice circles.
This 64 year old Swede still rides regularly at the top level, and is still getting results! His involvement in full time World Championship action spanned three decades!
Ultra competetive, hard-as-nails, and unbelievably dedicated to the Sport, POSA is one of only three Western European riders to have won the World Individual Championship - in fact, he has won it twice (1995 and 2002). In addition, he has also finished as runner-up three times, in 1982, 1991 and 1994.
POSA has claimed three World Team Championships with Sweden, and a record twenty-two Swedish National Championships.
For those keen to find out more about the great man, a docu-film called 'Icy Riders' features him as the principle subject, following his adventures at Russian training camps, during the competetive season, and simply relaxing at home with his wife! A superb film, which you can preview below. It is well worth a watch!
Per-Olof Serenius (or 'POSA' as he is affectionately known) is a living legend in the ice circles.
This 64 year old Swede still rides regularly at the top level, and is still getting results! His involvement in full time World Championship action spanned three decades!
Ultra competetive, hard-as-nails, and unbelievably dedicated to the Sport, POSA is one of only three Western European riders to have won the World Individual Championship - in fact, he has won it twice (1995 and 2002). In addition, he has also finished as runner-up three times, in 1982, 1991 and 1994.
POSA has claimed three World Team Championships with Sweden, and a record twenty-two Swedish National Championships.
For those keen to find out more about the great man, a docu-film called 'Icy Riders' features him as the principle subject, following his adventures at Russian training camps, during the competetive season, and simply relaxing at home with his wife! A superb film, which you can preview below. It is well worth a watch!
...SO, WHERE CAN I FIND ALL OF THE FIXTURES?
You can check the 2014 International fixtures logged to date, by clicking here.