What is the FIM, CCP and UEM?

From: Kevin Meynell

The Fédération Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) is the international governing body for all two and three-wheeled motorsport. It's membership is comprised of national motorsport organisations (e.g. the ACU in Britain and PZM in Poland) who meet annually in a General Assembly to elect officials, determine the annual budget, approve statutes, create or dissolve FIM bodies, and determine the general policy of the organisation.

There are also a number of FIM Commissions that administer the various motorcycling disciplines. The Commission de Courses sur Pistes (CCP) is responsible for track racing which includes speedway, longtrack, grasstrack and ice racing. It consists of fifteen members (each representing a different country) elected by the General Assembly who meet twice a year. The CCP defines the track racing regulations and runs the respective World Championships.

In 1997, the FIM decided to create continental motorcycle unions to which certain activities would be delegated. The Union Europeéns de Motorcyclisme (UEM) is one such organisation and is responsible for running the various European track racing competitions.

More information can be obtained from the FIM Web Site.


What is the format of the World Individual Speedway Championship?

From: Kevin Meynell, Wladyslaw Pietrzak, Marcin Babnis & Thilo Wunderlich

The Grand Prix Series finally saw the light of day in 1995, after being delayed for a year. This replaced the traditional one-off World Final which, the FIM argued, could no longer attract television coverage or sponsorship deals. Attendances were also on the decline and were not helped by the fact that the major countries only staged a World Final once every five years. It was felt a series would renew spectator interest as the major countries would all be staging the equivalent of a World Final each year, and it would be possible to hold a GP in a country that was not previously on the World Final rota.

There are currently six Grand Prix (GP) held between May and September, plus a number of qualifying rounds for riders looking to compete in the 2000 GP Series. Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Poland and Sweden are all guaranteed a GP until 1999, with the other GP being staged by a different nation each year (Poland has an additional GP in 1999).

It was originally envisaged that the number of GPs would eventually be increased to eight, or even twelve, with rounds also being held in Australia, South Africa and the USA. The FIM even considered the possibility of staging GP in non-speedway countries such as Spain and Malaysia in order to extend the boundaries of the sport. Sadly, after a fairly successful first season, the Series struggled to attract sponsors even with television coverage from Sky Sports.

For 1998, in order to generate wider interest and make the GPs more exciting for television, the number of participants in each round was increased from eighteen to twenty-four and a new controversial knockout format was introduced. Nevertheless, whilst these changes were generally well received, attendances still remained disappointingly low. The decision as to whether the GP Series should be expanded, or indeed whether it should continue at all, must surely be dependent on a significant upturn in interest during 1999.

Grand Prix Series

Twenty-four riders participate in each GP. For 1999, these are the eight highest finishers in the 1998 GP Series, eight qualifiers from the 1998 GP Challenge, two qualifiers each from the 1998 Intercontinental and Continental Finals, the World Junior Champion and two wildcard riders. The wildcard riders are nominated by the Grand Prix Permanent Bureau for each event to ensure that the host nation has at least one rider taking part, and for the purpose of attracting television coverage in certain countries. The remaining place has been allocated to Billy Hamill, the 1997 World Champion, as he was unable to compete in the 1998 GP Challenge due to injury.

The non-qualifying riders from the GP Challenge become standby reserves in order of their finishing positions. In the event of a rider withdrawing from a GP prior to the day of the meeting, a standby reserve takes their place. A standby reserve assumes the status of a GP rider until the original rider is able to return.

GP riders are allocated a riding number that appears on their race jackets and bikes throughout the series. The final classification from the previous season's competition is used to determine these numbers, starting with the World Champion at No.1, the runner-up at No.2, and so on (except that Nos 23 and 24 are allocated to the wildcard riders)..

Each GP consists of twenty-four heats divided into three events. Sixteen riders compete in the Pre-Main Event that is run over ten heats. Eight riders then progress to the Main Event where they meet eight seeded riders; and which is also run over ten heats. Both events use a repechage format that eliminates riders finishing in third or fourth place more than once.

Eight riders from the Main Event progress on to the Final Event where they are drawn into Semi-Finals that are run on a straight knockout basis. The top two riders from each Semi-Final compete in the Grand Final, whilst the third and fourth-placed riders compete in the Consolation Final.

The draw positions for the first GP are determined by the riding numbers. For subsequent GPs they are determined by the final placings in the previous GP. The heats are then scheduled as follows:

Heat Red
 (Gate A) 
Blue
 (Gate B) 
White
 (Gate C) 
Y/B
 (Gate D) 
Pre-Main Event
1: Draw No.9 Draw No.16 Draw No.17 Draw No.24
2: Draw No.10 Draw No.15 Draw No.18 Draw No.23
3: Draw No.11 Draw No.14 Draw No.19 Draw No.22
4: Draw No.12 Draw No.13 Draw No.20 Draw No.21
5: 3rd Heat 1 3rd Heat 3 4th Heat 2 4th Heat 4
6: 3rd Heat 2 3rd Heat 4 4th Heat 1 4th Heat 3
7: 1st Heat 1 1st Heat 3 2nd Heat 2 2nd Heat 4
8: 1st Heat 2 1st Heat 4 2nd Heat 1 2nd Heat 3
9: 1st Heat 5 2nd Heat 6 3rd Heat 7 4th Heat 8
10: 1st Heat 6 2nd Heat 5 3rd Heat 8 4th Heat 7
Main Event
11: Draw No.1 Draw No.8 1st Heat 7 2nd Heat 8
12: Draw No.2 Draw No.7 1st Heat 8 2nd Heat 7
13: Draw No.3 Draw No.6 1st Heat 9 2nd Heat 10
14: Draw No.4 Draw No.5 1st Heat 10 2nd Heat 9
15: 3rd Heat 11 3rd Heat 13 4th Heat 12 4th Heat 14
16: 3rd Heat 12 3rd Heat 14 4th Heat 11 4th Heat 13
17: 1st Heat 11 1st Heat 13 2nd Heat 12 2nd Heat 14
18: 1st Heat 12 1st Heat 14 2nd Heat 11 2nd Heat 13
19: 1st Heat 15 2nd Heat 16 3rd Heat 17 4th Heat 18
20: 1st Heat 16 2nd Heat 15 3rd Heat 18 4th Heat 17
Final Event
21: SF 1st Heats 17 & 19, 2nd Heats 18 & 20
22: SF 1st Heats 18 & 20, 2nd Heats 17 & 20
23: CF 3rd Heats 21 & 22, 4th Heats 21 & 22
24: GF 1st Heats 21 & 22, 2nd Heats 21 & 22

In the Pre-Main and Main Events, riders take the starting gate positions indicated. Gate A is on the inside of the track, whilst Gate D is on the outside.

For the Semi-Finals, the winners of Heats 17 and 18 have first choice of gate positions, the second-placed riders in Heats 17 and 18 have second choice, the winners of Heats 19 and 20 have third choice, whilst the second-placed riders in Heats 19 and 20 take the remaining positions.

For the Grand and Consolation Finals, the higher-placed riders in the Semi-Finals have first and second choice of gate positions, whilst the lower-placed riders have third and fourth choice (the competitor with the lowest riding number in each category chooses first).

GP points and prize money are awarded as follows:

Final Placing Points Prize Money
(US$)
1st in Heat 24:
2nd in Heat 24:
3rd in Heat 24:
4th in Heat 24:
1st in Heat 23:
2nd in Heat 23:
3rd in Heat 23:
4th in Heat 23:
3rd in Heats 19 & 20:
4th in Heats 19 & 20:
3rd in Heats 15 & 16:
4th in Heats 15 & 16:
3rd in Heats 9 & 10:
4th in Heats 9 & 10:
3rd in Heats 5 & 6:
4th in Heats 5 & 6:
25
20
18
16
15
14
12
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
10,000
7,200
6,000
5,500
5,000
4,500
4,300
4,000
3,000
2,600
2,300
2,000
1,400
1,200
1,000
1,000

Where riders are awarded equal points, the rider with the lowest riding number is placed higher for the purpose of determining the draw positions in the next GP.

Points accumulated over the six GP determine the final classification. The rider with the greatest number of points is declared World Champion. In addition, the 1st to 10th placed riders automatically qualify for the 2000 GP Series, the 11th to 22nd placed riders must compete in the GP Challenge, whilst all riders placed 23rd or below are eliminated from the competition.

A runoff is held if two or more riders are tied for 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 10th place. If there are ties for other places, the rider with the lowest riding number is placed higher.

Qualifying Rounds

A qualifying competition is held for non-GP riders to determine who will compete in the GP Challenge. For historical and political reasons, the qualifying competition is run on a geographical basis. The structure is shown below, along with the number of qualifiers from each round.

Continental Section - (Europe excluding Great Britain and Scandinavia)

Qualifying Rd (7Q) \
                    -> Semi-Final (8Q+1R) \
Qualifying Rd (7Q) /                       \
                                            -> Final
Qualifying Rd (7Q) \                       /
                    -> Semi-Final (8Q+1R) /
Qualifying Rd (7Q) /
Intercontinental Section - (Australasia, Great Britain, North America, Scandinavia, South Africa)
    Overseas Final (8Q+1R) \
                            -> Intercontinental Final
Scandinavian Final (8Q+1R) /
Each qualifying round consists of sixteen competitors and two reserves. See 'What are the rules for Individual Meetings?' for further details on how these rounds are run.

The winners of the Continental and Intercontinental Finals automatically qualify for the 2000 GP Series. The 3rd to 7th placed Continental finalists, the 3rd to 8th placed Intercontinental finalists and the World Junior Champion qualify for the GP Challenge where they meet the 11th to 22nd placed riders from the 1999 GP Series. The 7th placed Continental finalist, and the 8th placed Intercontinental finalist become the standby reserves for the GP Challenge.

The GP Challenge consists of twenty-four competitors and uses the same heat format as the GPs. The top ten riders qualify for the 2000 GP Series, whilst the 11th to 24th placed riders become the standby reserves.

1999 Rider Allocations

                       OF   SF   CQA  CQB  CQC  CQD  SF1  SF2  TOT
Australia     (MA)      4    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    4
Austria       (ÖAMTC)   -    -    1    -    -    3    -    -    4
Croatia       (HMS)     -    -    -    -    -    3    -    -    3
Czech Rep.    (CMF)     -    -    2    2    2    2    -    -    8
Denmark       (DMU)     -    5+1  -    -    -    -    -    -    5+1
Estonia       (EMF)     -    -    -    1    -    -    -    -    1
Finland       (SML)     -    2+1  -    -    -    -    -    -    2+1
France        (FFM)     -    -    2    -    -    2    -    -    4
Germany       (DMSB)    -    -    3    -    2    -    2    -    7
Great Britain (ACU)     7    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    7
Hungary       (MAMS)    -    -    3    2    -    1    -    -    6
Italy         (FMI)     -    -    -    -    2    3    -    1    6
Latvia        (LaMSF)   -    -    -    3    -    -    -    -    3
Netherlands   (KNMV)    -    -    2    -    2    -    -    -    4
New Zealand   (MNZ)     1    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    1
Norway        (NMF)     -    2+1  -    -    -    -    -    -    2+1
Poland        (PZM)     -    -    -    2    4    2    -    -    8
Russia        (MFR)     -    -    2    2    2    -    -    -    6
Slovakia      (SMF)     -    -    -    2    -    -    -    -    2
Slovenia      (AMSZ)    -    -    1    2    2    -    -    1    6
Sweden        (SVEMO)   -    5+1  -    -    -    -    -    -    5+1
USA           (AMA)     4    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    4
Track Res.    (FMNR)    2    -    2    2    2    2    2    2   14
Note: Canada has been allocated two places in the 1999 North American Final that determines the US qualifiers for the Overseas Final. Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden each nominate one rider for a pre-meeting runoff that decides the remaining two places in the Scandinavian Final.


What is the format of the World Team Speedway Championship?

From: Kevin Meynell, Wladyslaw Pietrzak, Marcin Babnis & Thilo Wunderlich

The World Team Speedway Championship was inaugurated in 1994 following the amalgamation of the World Team Cup and the World Pairs Championship. When the FIM decided to revamp the World Individual Speedway Championship, it became clear that at least one of the team competitions would have make way for the proposed Grand Prix rounds.

The World Team Cup had been established since 1960, but attendances had continually declined throughout the Nineties. It was also felt that the Four Team Tournament format meant smaller nations had difficulty fielding competitive teams. The World Pairs Championship on the other hand, was much more popular. With seven teams in each round, it could attract seven groups of supporters and the format also facilitated proper team racing. With the introduction of reserves from 1991 (after the 1990 Final was reduced to a farce when both Great Britain and Germany lost a rider early in the meeting), the title World Pairs Championship had become a bit of a misnomer anyway. As a result, the pairs format was retained for the new team competition, but the system of qualifying rounds was based on that used for the World Team Cup.

The new competition was generally considered to be an improvement, but it did not prove popular with some of the major nations who felt the enhanced pairs format was not a true team championship. In addition, the refusal of many top riders to participate in the 1996 event as a protest over the introduction of solid block tyres, meant the competition was somewhat devalued. As a consequence, Australia, Great Britain and the USA withdrew from the subsequent competitions in 1997 and 1998.

The FIM however, has acknowledged the problems and has introduced an innovative new format for 1999. This increases the number of riders in each team, yet still retains the advantages of the pairs format. Hopefully, this change will go some way towards restoring the competition to its former prestigious status.

The competition is held annually between May and September and is currently organised as follows:

                    / Qualifying Rd (1Q) -> Semi-Final (1Q) \
Preliminary Rd (2Q)                                          -> Final
                    \ Qualifying Rd (1Q) -> Semi-Final (1Q) /
Each round involves four teams and is held as a single meeting. Results from the previous season are used to determine the composition of these. With the exception of the Final, the highest-ranked team in each round has the option of home advantage. If they decline, the option moves to the second-highest ranked team, and so on..

The Final is generally staged on a rota basis, with the host and holder nations automatically qualifying. If the host nation is also the holder, the second-placed team is seeded directly to the Final as well.

See 'What are the rules for Four Team Competitions?' for further details on how each round is run.

1999 Team Allocations

                       PR   QR1  QR2  SF1  SF2  Fnl
Australia     (MA)      -    -    1    -    -    -
Austria       (ÖAMTC)   1    -    -    -    -    -
Croatia       (HMS)     1    -    -    -    -    -
Czech Rep.    (CMF)     -    -    -    -    -    1
Denmark       (DMU)     -    -    -    -    1    -
France        (FFM)     1    -    -    -    -    -
Germany       (DSMB)    -    1    -    -    -    -
Great Britain (ACU)     -    -    -    -    1    -
Hungary       (MAMS)    -    -    -    -    1    -
Italy         (FMI)     -    -    1    -    -    -
Latvia        (LaMSF)   -    1    -    -    -    -
Netherlands   (KNMV)    1    -    -    -    -    -
Norway        (NMF)     -    1    -    -    -    -
Poland        (PZM)     -    -    -    1    -    -
Russia        (MFR)     -    -    -    1    -    -
Slovenia      (AMSZ)    -    -    1    -    -    -
Sweden        (SVEMO)   -    -    -    1    -    -
USA           (AMA)     -    -    -    -    -    1

What is the format of the World Junior Speedway Championship?

From: Kevin Meynell & Wladyslaw Pietrzak

The World Junior Speedway Championship is an individual competition for riders under the age of twenty-one. In order to be eligible, a rider must be at least sixteen on the date of the first meeting, and under twenty-one on 1 January in the year of the competition.

This competition is held annually between May and September. The current structure of the competition is shown below, along with the number of qualifiers from each round.

 Qualifying Rd (10Q) -+
                      +-> Semi-Final (8Q+1R) \
 Qualifying Rd (10Q) -+                       -> Final
                      +-> Semi-Final (8Q+1R) /
Scandinavian Rd (8Q) -+
Each round consists of sixteen competitors and two reserves. See '
What are the rules for Individual Meetings?' for further details on how these rounds are run.

The Final of this competition is usually held in a country that does not stage a Grand Prix or a World Team Championship Final.

At least one rider in the Final must be from the host nation. Should no riders from the host nation qualify by right, the rider that progressed furthest in the competition is seeded to the Final. In this event, only seven riders qualify from the Semi-Final on the seeded rider's side of the draw. The rule is intended to encourage local interest in the meeting.

A rider winning this competition is not eligible to compete in it again.

1999 Rider Allocations

                       SR   QR1  QR2  SF1  SF2  TOT
Australia     (MA)      -    1    1    -    -    2
Austria       (ÖAMTC)   -    2    -    -    -    2
Canada        (CMA)     -    1    -    -    -    1
Croatia       (HMS)     -    2    -    -    -    2
Czech Rep.    (CMF)     -    1    2    -    -    3
Denmark       (DMU)     5+1  -    -    -    -    5+1
Finland       (SML)     2+1  -    -    -    -    2+1
France        (FFM)     -    2    -    -    -    2
Germany       (DSMB)    -    1    2    1    -    4
Great Britain (ACU)     -    1    2    1    -    4
Hungary       (MAMS)    -    1    1    -    -    2
Italy         (FMI)     -    1    -    -    -    1
Netherlands   (KNMV)    -    -    2    -    -    2
Norway        (NMF)     3+1  -    -    -    -    3+1
Poland        (PZM)     -    1    2    -    2    5
Russia        (MFR)     -    -    2    -    -    2
Slovakia      (SMF)     -    -    1    -    -    1
Slovenia      (AMSZ)    -    2    -    -    -    2
Sweden        (SVEMO)   5+1  -    -    -    -    5+1
USA           (AMA)     -    -    1    -    -    1
Track Res.    (FMNR)    -    2    2    2    2    8
Note: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden each nominate one rider for a pre-meeting runoff that decides the remaining place in the Scandinavian Round.


What is the format of the World Longtrack and Grasstrack Championship?

From: Kevin Meynell, Wladyslaw Pietrzak, Marcin Babnis & Thilo Wunderlich

The World Longtrack and Grasstrack Championship is an individual competition that combines the disciplines of longtrack and grasstrack. There were originally separate competitions for longtrack and grasstrack, but these were amalgamated in 1997.

The European Grasstrack Championship had always been overshadowed by the World Longtrack Championship despite the fact that the majority of riders competed in both disciplines. Until 1994, riders could not enter both competitions which meant the top riders usually opted for the higher profile longtrack. Unfortunately, the lack of such riders in the grasstrack competition meant many clubs staged meetings at a loss.

In 1994, the restriction on riders competing in both championships was removed, but this did little to raise the appeal of the European Grasstrack Championship which was still viewed as a second-class competition by fans and riders alike. The World Longtrack Championship on the other hand, had always remained popular, but suffered from a lack of FIM-approved tracks. As a consequence, the same tracks staged rounds every year and the majority of those were in Germany.

It was decided therefore, that a combined competition with a Grand Prix-style format should replace the two separate championships. Not only would this allow non-longtrack countries to stage rounds featuring the top riders, it would allow a wider variety of tracks to be used.

The competition is held annually between May and September and consists of a number of qualifying rounds culminating in five Trophy Rounds. Two Trophy Rounds are held on longtracks and two are held on grasstracks, with the remaining round alternating between the two surfaces each year. The Qualifying Rounds are held on a mixture of longtracks and grasstracks (although predominantly on grasstracks it would appear). The current structure of the competition is shown below, along with the number of qualifiers from each round:

                    +- Semi-Final (7Q) -+
Qualifying Rd (9Q) -+                   |
                    +- Semi-Final (6Q) -+-> 5 Trophy Rounds
Qualifying Rd (9Q) -+                   |
                    +- Semi-Final (7Q) -+
Each round (including Trophy Rounds) consists of eighteen competitors and two reserves. See '
What are the rules for Longtrack/Grasstrack Meetings?' for further details on how these rounds are run (the fifteen-heat format is used).

The top seven riders from two of the Semi-Finals and the top six riders from the other Semi-Final participate in each Trophy Round. All riders are allocated a unique riding number that appears on their race jackets and bikes throusghout the series. No provision has been made for wildcard riders in 1999.

The non-qualifying riders from the Semi-Finals become standby reserves in order of their finishing positions. In the event of a rider withdrawing from a Trophy Round prior to the day of the meeting, a standby reserve is called-up to ensure that two reserves are always present. A standby reserve assumes the status of a qualified rider until the original rider is able to return.

Only eighteen riders are scheduled to start each Trophy Round. The remaining two riders are First and Second Reserve respectively. At the first event, these are the riders that finished in 7th place at the Semi-Finals. For each subsequent event, the two scheduled riders with the least number of championship points, exchange places with the reserves from the previous event. The intermediate championship classification determines which of the relegated riders becomes First and Second Reserve.

Championship points and prize money are awarded as follows:

Final Placing Points Prize Money
(CHF)
1st in A-Final:
2nd in A-Final:
3rd in A-Final:
4th in A-Final:
5th in A-Final:
6th in A-Final:
1st in B-Final:
2nd in B-Final:
3rd in B-Final:
4th in B-Final:
5th in B-Final:
6th in B-Final:
1st in C-Final:
2nd in C-Final:
3rd in C-Final:
4th in C-Final:
5th in C-Final:
6th in C-Final:
Other riders:
25
20
18
16
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
-
3,000
2,000
1,800
1,700
1,600
1,600
1,500
1,000
950
950
900
900
850
850
800
800
700
700
700

Where two or more riders fail to finish in a final, the rider completing the least distance is placed lower. Excluded riders however, are automatically placed lower.

Points accumulated over the five Trophy Rounds determine the final classification. The rider with the greatest number of points is declared World Champion. In addition, several of the highest-placed riders will be seeded directly to the 2000 Semi-Finals (the exact number being dependent on the competition format).

A runoff is held if two or more riders are tied for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. Ties for other places are resolved using a countback of event results.

1999 Rider Allocations

                       QR1  QR2  SF1  SF2  SF3  TOT
Australia     (MA)      3    -    2    -    -    5
Austria       (ÖAMTC)   1    -    -    -    -    1
Czech Rep.    (CMF)     2    2    2    -    2    8
Denmark       (DMU)     2    -    -    -    -    2
Estonia       (EMF)     -    1    -    -    -    1
Finland       (SML)     -    3    1    -    -    4
France        (FFM)     2    2    -    2    2    8
Germany       (DSMB)    2    1    2    2    2    9
Great Britain (ACU)     3    -    2    2    2    9
Italy         (FMI)     -    -    -    2    -    2
Netherlands   (KNMV)    2    5    1    2    -   10
New Zealand   (ANZ)     1    -    -    -    -    1
Norway        (NMF)     -    2    -    -    -    2
Russia        (MFR)     -    -    -    -    2    2
Slovakia      (SMF)     -    1    -    -    -    1
Sweden        (SVEMO)   -    1    -    -    -    1
Track Res.    (FMNR)    2    2    2    2    2   10
Note: The top six riders of the 1998 Championship are also seeded directly to the Semi-Finals.


What is the format of the World Individual Ice Racing Championship?

From: Kevin Meynell, Wladyslaw Pietrzak, Marcin Babnis & Thilo Wunderlich

The Ice Racing Grand Prix Series was introduced in 1994 without any of the controversy that greeted the Speedway Grand Prix Series. This was partly because there were no other major competitions with conflicting interests, and also because ice racing had a long history of staging World Championship meetings over two days. As with the Speedway Grand Prix Series, the FIM hoped that the new format would attract television coverage and sponsorship deals to enable the sport to broaden it's appeal. Furthermore, it provided an opportunity to trial the Grand Prix format before it was introduced into the higher profile speedway competition.

Unfortunately, the Series was unable to attract television coverage or a major sponsor in 1997 and the Championship briefly reverted back to the traditional two-day Final during that year. There was also a crisis during 1998 when many riders threatened to withdraw due to the reduced levels of GP prize money. Nevertheless, these problems now appear to have been resolved and with attendances remaining healthy, it has been possible to include two additional GPs in the 1999 Series.

There are currently twelve Grand Prix (GP) held between November and March, plus qualifying rounds for riders looking to compete in the 2000 GP Series. These GPs are staged at venues in the Netherlands (twice), Russia (twice), Germany and Sweden. As ice racing meetings are traditionally staged over two days, each venue holds two GPs over a weekend (one on Saturday, one on Sunday). Artificial ice tracks must be used for all GPs and the GP Challenge unless these are being held in Russia or Finland.

Grand Prix Series

Eighteen riders participate in each GP. For 1999, these are the ten highest finishers in the 1998 GP Series and eight qualifiers from the 1998 GP Challenge. No provision has been made for wildcard riders in 1999.

GP riders are allocated a riding number that appears on their race jackets throughout the series. The final classification from the previous season's competition is used to determine these numbers, starting with the World Champion at No.1, the runner-up at No.2, and so on..

Only sixteen riders are scheduled to start each GP. The remaining two riders are First and Second Reserve respectively. At the first event, these are the riders that finished in 7th and 8th place at the GP Challenge. For each subsequent event, the two scheduled riders with the least number of GP points, exchange places with the reserves from the previous GP. The intermediate GP classification determines which of the relegated riders becomes First and Second Reserve.

A draw is held before each GP to determine the riding order of the scheduled competitors. Twenty Qualification Heats are then held according to the standard individual format. At the conclusion of these heats, riders are ranked according to the number of race points scored and this determines the line-ups for the Final Heats. Where two or more riders are tied on race points, the tie is resolved as follows:

  1. Head-to-Head results (when only two riders tied)
  2. Most wins
  3. Most second places
  4. Highest placing in the previous GP
  5. Lowest riding number
A further four heats are then held as follows:

D-Final:  13th to 16th placed riders
C-Final:  9th to 12th placed riders
B-Final:  5th to 8th placed riders
A-Final:  1st to 4th placed riders

In each Final, the highest scorer has first choice of gate position, the second-highest scorer has second choice of gate position, and so on..

Should a scheduled rider withdraw from a GP prior to the start, they are directly replaced by one of the reserves. This reserve becomes a scheduled rider and, if sufficient time remains, a standby reserve is called-up to ensure that two reserves are always present. The standby reserves are those riders that failed to qualify from the previous GP Challenge and are selected in order of their finishing positions. They assume the status of a GP rider until the original rider is able to return.

After the start, the two reserves may alternately take the rides of any incapacitated rider, replace any rider excluded for a starting infringement, or replace any rider excluded for exceeding the two minute time allowance. A reserve may not directly replace a rider in any of the Finals, but they may qualify if they score enough race points during the Qualification Heats. Each reserve may ride in a maximum of five Qualification Heats.

GP points and prize money are awarded as follows:

Final Placing Points Prize Money
(CHF)
1st in A-Final:
2nd in A-Final:
3rd in A-Final:
4th in A-Final:
1st in B-Final:
2nd in B-Final:
3rd in B-Final:
4th in B-Final:
1st in C-Final:
2nd in C-Final:
3rd in C-Final:
4th in C-Final:
1st in D-Final:
2nd in D-Final:
3rd in D-Final:
4th in D-Final:
Other riders:
25
20
18
16
14
13
12
11
9
8
7
6
4
3
2
1
-
2,200
1,800
1,500
1,300
1,200
1,100
1,000
1,000
950
950
900
900
850
800
700
700
700

Where two or more riders fail to finish in a final, the rider completing the least distance is placed lower. Excluded riders however, are automatically placed lower.

Points accumulated over the twelve GP determine the final classification. The rider with the greatest number of points is declared World Champion. In addition, the 1st to 10th placed riders automatically qualify for 2000 GP Series, the 11th to 18th placed riders must compete in the GP Challenge, whilst all riders placed 19th or below are eliminated from the competition.

A runoff is held if two or more riders are tied for 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 10th place. Ties for other places are resolved using a countback of GP results.

Qualifying Rounds

A qualifying competition is held for non-GP riders to determine who will meet the 11th to 18th placed GP riders in the GP Challenge. The current structure of the qualifying competition is shown below, along with the number of qualifiers from each round.

1st Qualifying Rd (6Q+2R) -> 2nd Qualifying Rd (8Q+2R) -> GP Challenge
Each round may be staged over one or two days (depends on the promoter and/or weather conditions) and consists of sixteen competitors and two reserves. See 'What are the rules for Individual Meetings?' for further details on how these rounds are run.

The top six riders in the GP Challenge qualify for the 2000 GP Series and a starting place in the first GP. The 7th and 8th placed riders also qualify for the 2000 GP Series but only as reserves for the first GP. The 9th to 16th placed riders become the standby reserves. Note however, there is a rule that restricts each country to a maximum of eight riders in the GP Series.

1999 Rider Allocations

                       QR1   QR2   TOT
Austria       (ÖAMTC)   2     -     2
Czech Rep.    (CMF)     1     1     2
Finland       (SML)     2     1     3
Germany       (DSMB)    2     2     4
Great Britain (ACU)     2     -     2
Ireland       (MCUI)    1     -     1
Netherlands   (KNMV)    3     2     5
Russia        (MFR)     -     2     2
Sweden        (SVEMO)   1     2     3
Switzerland   (FMS)     1     -     1
USA           (AMA)     1     -     1
Track Res.    (FMNR)    2     -     2

What is the format of the World Team Ice Racing Championship?

From: Kevin Meynell, Wladyslaw Pietrzak, Marcin Babnis & Thilo Wunderlich

The World Team Ice Racing Championship is held between January and March. It is currently organised as a single seven-team event that may be staged over one or two days (depends on the promoter and/or weather conditions). See 'What are the rules for Pairs Meetings?' for further details on how this event is run.

1999 Teams: Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden.


What is the format of the European Speedway Club Champions Cup?

From: Kevin Meynell, Wladyslaw Pietrzak & Marcin Babnis

The European Speedway Club Champions Cup is a team competition for the winners of national league competitions. It is held annually between May and September, but is not currently supported by Great Britain, Denmark and Sweden (three of the four countries with major leagues).

The structure of the competition is shown below. The groups are loosely determined by results from the previous season.

Final:   Representatives of Czech Republic, Germany and Poland
Winner of Group A
Group A:   Representatives of Latvia, Russia and Ukraine
Winner of Group B
Group B:   Representatives of France, Hungary, Netherlands and Slovenia

Each round is held as a single meeting. See 'What are the rules for Four Team Tournaments?' for further details on how these rounds are run (the twenty-heat format is used).


What is the format of the European Junior Speedway Championship?

From: Kevin Meynell, Wladyslaw Pietrzak & Marcin Babnis

The European Junior Speedway Championship is an individual competition for riders under the age of nineteen. In order to be eligible, a rider must be at least fifteen on the date of the first meeting, and under nineteen on 1 January in the year of the competition.

This competition is held annually between May and September. The current structure of the competition is shown below, along with the number of qualifiers from each round.

                      / Semi-Final (8Q+1R) \
Qualifying Rd (8Q+2R)                       -> Final
                      \ Semi-Final (8Q+1R) /
Each round consists of sixteen competitors and two reserves. See '
What are the rules for Individual Meetings?' for further details on how these rounds are run.

At least one rider in the Final must be from the host nation. Should no riders from the host nation qualify by right, the rider that progressed furthest in the competition is seeded to the Final.

1999 Rider Allocations

                     QR   SF1  SF2  TOT
Austria     (ÖAMTC)   -    2    -    2
Czech Rep.  (CMF)     1    1    1    3
Denmark     (DMU)     2    -    -    2
Germany     (DMSB)    2    -    2    4
Finland     (FMI)     2    -    2    4
France      (FFM)     -    2    -    2
Hungary     (MAMS)    -    -    2    2
Latvia      (LaMSF)   2    -    -    2
Netherlands (KNMV)    -    2    -    2
Norway      (NMF)     2    -    -    2
Poland      (PZM)     -    3    3    6
Russia      (MFR)     2    -    -    2
Slovakia    (SMF)     1    -    -    1
Slovenia    (AMSZ)    -    2    -    2
Sweden      (SVEMO)   2    -    -    2
Ukraine     (FMU)     -    -    2    2
Track Res.  (FMNR)    2    -    -    2

What are rules for the European Solo Grasstrack Championship?

From: Kevin Meynell & Wladyslaw Pietrzak

The European Solo Grasstrack Championship returns in 1999 after an absence of two years. It had been discontinued when the World Longtrack and Grasstrack Championship was formed, but it was subsequently felt the combined competition involved too much expensive for many grasstrack riders. A smaller version of the original competition has therefore been revived for riders that do not wish to compete on longtracks.

This competition is held between May and September. The current structure of the competition is shown below, along with the number of qualifiers from each round.

                      / Semi-Final (9Q+1R) \
Qualifying Rd (9Q+2R)                       -> Final
                      \ Semi-Final (9Q+1R) /
Each round consists of eighteen competitors and two reserves. See 'What are the rules for Longtrack/Grasstrack Meetings?' for further details on how these rounds are run (the twelve-heat format is used).

At least one rider in the Final must be from the host nation. Should no riders from the host nation qualify by right, the rider that progressed furthest in the competition is seeded to the Final.

The UEM recommends that riders entered for the World Longtrack and Grasstrack Championship are not entered for this competition as well.

1999 Rider Allocations

                       QR   SF1  SF2  TOT
Czech Rep.    (CMF)     1    1    2    4
Denmark       (DMU)     1    -    2    3
Estonia       (EMF)     1    -    -    1
France        (FFM)     2    2    2    6
Germany       (DMSB)    2    3    3    8
Great Britain (ACU)     2    2    2    6
Italy         (FMI)     1    -    1    2
Netherlands   (KNMV)    3    3    2    8
Norway        (NMF)     1    -    -    1
Russia        (MFR)     -    2    -    2
Slovakia      (SMF)     1    -    -    1
Sweden        (SVEMO)   1    -    -    2
Ukraine       (FMU)     2    -    -    2
Track Res.    (FMNR)    2    -    -    2

What is the format of the European Sidecar Grasstrack Championship?

From: Kevin Meynell & Wladyslaw Pietrzak

The European Sidecar Grasstrack Championship is the premier competition for 500cc right-handed sidecars. This sidecar class is common in Continental Europe, but the competition does not have World Championship status because Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand predominantly run left-handed sidecars. It would seem that a unified class needs to be agreed before the status of this competition can be upgraded.

This competition is held annually between May and September. The current structure of the competition is shown below, along with the number of qualifiers from each round.

Semi-Final (6Q+1R) \
                    -> Final
Semi-Final (6Q+1R) /
Each round consists of twelve competing crews and two reserve crews. See '
What are the rules for Sidecar Meetings?' for further details on how these rounds are run.

At least one crew in the Final must be from the host nation. Should no crew from the host nation qualify by right, the team that finished highest in the Semi-Finals is seeded to the Final.

1999 Team Allocations

                       SF1  SF2  TOT
France        (FFM)     2    2    4
Germany       (DMSB)    3    3    6
Great Britain (ACU)     2    3    5
Netherlands   (KNMV)    3    3    6
Norway        (NMF)     -    1    1
Russia        (MFR)     2    -    2
Track Res.    (FMNR)    2    2    4

What are rules for the European Individual Ice Racing Championship?

From: Kevin Meynell & Wladyslaw Pietrzak

The European Individual Ice Racing Championship is a new competition for 1999. It is organised as a single event staged over two days. See 'What are the rules for Individual Meetings?' for further details on how this event is run.

1999 Rider Allocations

Austria     (ÖAMTC)   2
Belarus     (BMX)     1
Czech Rep.  (CMF)     1
Estonia     (EMF)     1
Finland     (SML)     2
Germany     (DMSB)    2
Latvia      (LaMSF)   1
Netherlands (KNMV)    2
Track Res.  (FMNR)    2

Where can I obtain a copy of the FIM Regulations?

From: Wladyslaw Pietrzak

Copies of the FIM Regulations may be obtained from:

Fédération Internationale de Motorcycliste,
11 route Suisse,
1295 Mies,
Switzerland.

Phone: +41 22-950-9500
Fax: +41 22-950-9501
E-mail:
fim@fim.ch

Prices: FIM Annuaire 27 CHF, Sporting Code 18 CHF, Track Racing Rules 18 CHF, Track Racing Technical Rules 18 CHF, Standards for Track Racing Circuits 18 CHF, Individual Speedway World Championship Grand Prix 18 CHF.
Payments may be made to account 285.178.00Y at the Union Bank of Switzerland (Swift UBSWCHZH12A), to postal account 12-1714-8, or by international postal mandate. Add 10 CHF for postage and packing.

They are also available on the FIM Web Site.