2014 Motul FIM Ice Speedway Gladiators World Championship
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) will continue to develop in 2014 one of its premium products: The Motul FIM Ice Speedway Gladiators World Championship.
Originally named Ice Racing World Championship, the spectacular competition was developed as the Ice Speedway Gladiators in 2012 with new branding and a powerful new logo. In 2013, Motul became the Championship’s title sponsor.
In line with the FIM’s strategy to build and develop this sport as a premium product, the World Championship was broadcast live in 2013 on TVP Poland, Island TV, SVT Sweden, AutoPlus Russia, RTL Club Belgium. In 2014 coverage of the Championship will move to a new level with live events on Eurosport, as well as other TV partners, and the integration of action cameras on-event.
What is the Motul FIM Ice Speedway Gladiators WC?
Riding motorcycles on ice started out as a form of winter practice for speedway and motocross in the chilly northern regions of Russia and Scandinavia. Ice Speedway became an independent, spectacular sport in the 1920s and gained an enormous following in Russia and Finland in particular, among young and old alike. Also popular in Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and Sweden, some events were hosted in The Netherlands and Hungary in recent years.
With no brake, Ice Speedway bikes are not dissimilar to those used for speedway, with 500cc engines, fuelled by methanol and with 200 metal spikes on each tyre. Launched at a speed approaching 130km/h on oval tracks, the competition takes place on either artificial/refrigerated (usually speed-skating) tracks or natural landscape features (typically frozen lakes).
The race structure and scoring is similar to Speedway where each round is held over two days with 16 riders competing for 23 heats over four laps. The best 16 riders qualify for the finals.
2014 Calendar
Final Round
01-02/02 Krasnogorsk (Russia) Final 1
15-16/02 Blagoveshchensk (Russia) Final 2
09-10/03 Assen (Netherlands) Final 3
22-23/03 Inzell (Germany) Final 4
Motul FIM Team Ice Speedway Gladiators WC
08-09/02 Togliatti (Russia) Team Final
About the FIM: The FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) founded in 1904, is the governing body for motorcycle sport and the global advocate for motorcycling. The FIM is an independent association formed by 111 National Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in motorcycle sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Among its 52 FIM World Championships the main events are MotoGP, Superbike, Endurance, Motocross, Supercross, Trial, Enduro, Cross- Country Rallies and Speedway. Furthermore, the FIM is also active and involved in the following areas: public affairs, road safety, touring and protection of the environment. The FIM was the first international sports federation to impose an Environmental Code in 1994.
Fore more information, please visit:
FIM website: www.fim-live.com / Twitter: @FIM_Live