The Long track (more commonly known as the longtrack, or German Sandbahn) is a motorcycle sport very similar to speedway, but taking place on a 1000 metre track at much higher speeds. There are also subtle differences between the machinery in that a longtrack bike is slightly larger and has a two-speed gearbox. Races (or heats) usually consist of six riders although occasionally they have eight.
The sport is popular in Germany, perhaps even more so than speedway. This means that the majority of tracks are to be found in that country, although tracks can also be found in France, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Finland and Norway. Occasionally, longtrack meetings are held in Australia and the United States, but these generally take place around converted horse trotting arenas.
The similarities with speedway means that many riders from that discipline also take part in longtrack. Whilst there are no leagues in longtrack, there are many lucrative open meetings which offer a means of additional income. Longtrack is also closely related to grasstrack and most riders compete in both disciplines.
Read more about Long Track: Competitions
Famous quotes containing the words long and/or track:
“As long as green hills are there, never fear a shortage of firewood.”
—Chinese proverb.
“If you are ambitious of climbing up to the difficult, and in a manner inaccessible, summit of the Temple of Fame, your surest way is to leave on one hand the narrow path of Poetry, and follow the narrower track of Knight-Errantry, which in a trice may raise you to an imperial throne.”
—Miguel De Cervantes (1547–1616)