In Poland, speedway is the most popular sport in terms of the number of spectators. Big meetings usually attract crowded stadiums, with attendances between 10,000 and 25,000 people. Poles call the sport zuzel which roughly translated means cinders.
The first speedway meetings in Poland (called dirt-track) were held in the early 1930s, but speedway boomed after WWII when there were many motorcycles in relation to the number of cars. The Polish Speedway League started in 1948, and although various formats were used, the winner of the First Division was always declared Polish Team Champion.
Since the late 1950s, Poland has participated in World Championship events. They first won the World Team Cup in 1961, and in 1970 became the third country to host the World Individual Final. In 1973, the final held in Chorzow (Katowice) was won by Jerzy Szczakiel. To this day, he is the only Polish winner of the competition.
The 1980s saw a decline in the international fortunes of Polish speedway with only Zenon Plech and Edward Jancarz taking three medals in the World Pairs Championship. This recession was halted in 1990 when foreign riders were allowed to compete in the Polish League. Nevertheless, despite having a strong representation in the last few World Junior Finals, only Tomasz Gollob has managed to compete at Grand Prix level.
Longtrack and Grasstrack is not ridden in Poland, although Polish riders occasionally participate in the World and European Championships. In the past, Poland has hosted Ice Racing Grand Prix rounds even though no Poles ride on the frozen track.
Speedway in Poland is governed by the GKSZ (Main Commission for Speedway Sport) which is a sub-commission of the PZM (Polish Motor Union). They in turn are members of the FIM.
Most Polish rules are derived from FIM rules. Only members of the PZM may organise speedway meetings on GKSZ licenced tracks. Riders must obtain a speedway licence from the PZM before can take part in a meeting, and this is only granted after passing a two part exam (rules and bike mechanics). A motorcycle driving licence is also required. Foreign riders may ride on an FIM International Licence.
Each team races every other team in their league once at home and once away, making a total of fourteen matches in the Extra and First Leagues, and twelve matches in the Second League. The top four teams in Extra League then form a Championship Group, with the bottom four teams forming a Relegation Group. Similarly, the top four teams in the First League form a Promotion Group, with the bottom four teams forming a Relegation Group. Each team again races every other team in their group once at home and once away, making a further six matches (and a total of twenty matches). The Second League does not hold this additional phase. Matches are held as a series of rounds between April and September, normally on a Sunday. In the event that a match has to be postponed, it is usually restaged no later than fourteen days from the original date.
Teams are awarded two points for a win, and one point for a draw. Final placings are determined by points accumulated over all matches, including group matches. Where two or more teams are tied on points, the tie is resolved as follows:
The bottom team in the Extra League Relegation Group changes places with the winner of the First League Promotion Group for the following season. A home and away race-off is held between the third-placed team in the Extra League Relegation Group and the second-placed team in the First League Promotion Group.
Similarly, the bottom team in the First League Relegation Group changes places with the winner of the Second League for the following season. A home and away race-off is held between the third-placed team in the First League Relegation Group and the second-placed team in the Second League.
Extra League: Bydgoszcz, Czestochowa, Gorzów, Leszno, Pila, Torun, Wroclaw, Zielona Góra
First League: Gdansk, Gniezno, Grudziadz, Lódz, Opole, Rawicz, Rybnik, Rzeszów,
Second League: Kraków, Krosno, Lublin, Ostrów, Swietochlowice, Tarnów, Warszawa
The group winners meet in the Final which is also run as a four team tournament (20 heats). One of the finalists is chosen by the GKSZ to host this.
The team winning the Final is awarded a gold medal and declared Polish Junior Team Champions. Teams finishing second and third are awarded silver and bronze medals respectively.
The highest-placed riders (plus one reserve) from each Quarter-Final progress to the Semi-Finals, with the top eight riders (plus one reserve) from each Semi-Final meeting in the Final. The Final is hosted by the Team Champion of the previous season.
The winner of the Final is awarded a gold medal and declared Polish Individual Champion. Riders finishing second and third are awarded silver and bronze medals respectively.
The team winning the Final is awarded a gold medal and declared Polish Pairs Champions. Teams finishing second and third are awarded silver and bronze medals respectively.
The top twenty-six riders in the First League and the top six riders in the Second League (by CMA) are drawn into two Semi-Finals. The top eight riders (plus one reserve) from each Semi-Final then meet in the Final.
The top eight finishers, plus one rider nominated by the GKSZ, qualify for the international rounds.
The top nine riders in the First League (by CMA), eight riders from the First League nominated by the GKSZ, the top twelve riders in the Second League (by CMA), and three riders from the Second League nominated by the GKSZ are drawn into two Semi-Finals. The top eight riders (plus one reserve) from each Semi-Final then meet in the Final.
The top seven finishers, plus one rider nominated by the GKSZ, qualify for the international rounds.
The top rider in the First League (by CMA), six riders from the First League nominated by the GKSZ, the top three riders in the Second League (by CMA), and six riders from the Second League nominated by the GKSZ compete in a single meeting.
The top four finishers, plus one rider nominated by the GKSZ, qualify for the international rounds.
Rider averages are used to govern team selection in all Polish Leagues. A CMA (Calculated Match Average) is given to each rider that has completed ten rides during the previous season. This CMA is then retained throughout the forthcoming season.
The CMA of a rider is calculated as follows:
Riders that have never established a CMA or who have not completed enough rides during previous season to establish a CMA, are given an assessed average as follows:
Other Polish riders have their CMA re-assessed at 2.50 if their actual CMA is below this value. A foreign rider may not compete the following season if their CMA is below 4.50.
Each team must nominate six riders from their squad for each match. The combined CMAs of these riders must not exceed 44 points, a junior rider must be included, and no more than two foreign riders are permitted whose combined CMAs must not exceed 16 points. A team may also nominate an additional junior rider as a reserve.
Polish teams comprise seven riders who are numbered 1 to 7 when riding away, and 9 to 15 when riding at home. The reserve is programmed at No.7/15 and must be a junior rider. A junior rider must also be programmed at No.6/14.
The heat format is determined as follows:
| Heat | HOME TEAM | AWAY TEAM | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Blue | Y/B | White | |
| 1: | 9 (B-A) | 10 (D-C) | 1 (A-B) | 2 (C-D) |
| 2: | 11 (B-A) | 12 (D-C) | 3 (A-B) | 4 (C-D) |
| 3: | 13 (A-B) | 14 (C-D) | 5 (B-A) | 6 (D-C) |
| 4: | 11 (A-B) | 12 (C-D) | 1 (B-A) | 2 (D-C) |
| 5: | 13 (B-A) | 14 (D-C) | 3 (C-D) | 4 (A-B) |
| 6: | 9 (D-C) | 10 (B-A) | 5 (A-B) | 6 (C-D) |
| 7: | 13 (D-C) | 14 (B-A) | 1 (C-D) | 2 (A-B) |
| 8: | 9 (A-B) | 10 (C-D) | 3 (B-A) | 4 (D-C) |
| 9: | 11 (D-C) | 12 (B-A) | 5 (C-D) | 6 (A-B) |
| 10: | 13 (C-D) | 10 (A-B) | 1 (D-C) | 4 (B-A) |
| 11: | 11 (C-D) | 14 (A-B) | 3 (D-C) | 6 (B-A) |
| 12: | 9 (C-D) | 12 (A-B) | 5 (D-C) | 2 (B-A) |
| 13: Low | * (B-A) | * (D-C) | * (A-B) | * (C-D) |
| 14: Mid | * (A-B) | * (C-D) | * (B-A) | * (D-C) |
| 15: High | * (B-A) | * (D-C) | * (A-B) | * (C-D) |
Riders take the starting gate positions indicated in parenthesis. The actual gate sequence used during the match is determined by the team captain winning the toss of a coin prior to the start. Gate A is on the inside of the track, whilst Gate D is on the outside.
A reserve may have a maximum of five rides that can be taken at any time, plus one additional ride as a tactical substitute. They may not however, replace riders excluded for starting infringements or exceeding the two minute time allowance. All exclusions count as rides.
No rider is required to take a minimum number of rides.
In Heats 4 to 12, a team behind by six or more points may substitute a programmed rider with any other rider in the team, provided each rider is only used as a tactical substitute once and Rider No.6/14 is only substituted by the reserve. A substitute rider takes the helmet colour and starting gate position of the replaced rider. Both riders in a heat may be substituted in this manner, provided the Referee is clearly notified which substitute replaces which rider.
After Heat 12, each team nominates their riders for the three remaining heats; the home team declaring first. Rider Nos. 1 to 6 and 8 to 14 may only be nominated as follows: Heat 13 - two lowest scorers, Heat 14 - two middle scorers, Heat 15 - two highest scorers. The scores from all rides are counted, but bonus points are not included. Team members scoring an equal number of points may be nominated for any heat where they are eligible.
The team scoring the greater number of points over all heats is declared the winner. When teams score an equal number of points, the match is declared a draw.
In the event of weather forcing a match to be abandoned, the result will stand if at least eight heats have been completed.