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Long track (more commonly known aslongtrack, orGermanSandbahn) is a discipline oftrack racing, that takes place at high speeds on tracks ranging from 425 to 1,000 metres (1,390 to 3,280 ft) in length. Longtrack racing is an umbrella term for events using long track machinery, similar to that used inspeedway but with a longer wheelbase and a two-speed gearbox. This includesGrasstrack which uses the same machinery but shares one combinedWorld Championship.
The sport is popular inGermany, 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 inFrance, theNetherlands, theCzech Republic,Finland andNorway. Long track meetings are also held inAustralia (for both Solos andSidecars with both state andnational championships),New Zealand and theUnited States with the higher profile Australian and New Zealand Long track Grand Prix's often attracting the top riders from Europe. Due to the lack of genuine Long Track speedways in those countries outside of Europe, meetings generally take place at ½ Mile (800 m)Harness Racing orShowground venues.
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.
| World (FIM) | |
|---|---|
| Seniors | |
| Individual | World Individual(1971-) European Individual(1957-1970) |
| Team | World Team(2007-) |
TheInternational Motorcycling Federation (FIM), the World's motorcycle racing authority run a World Longtrack series as well as a World Championships. Although both events are namedLong Track, they often are competed for onGrass.
TheIndividual Long Track World Championship competitors must qualify through a series of Qualifiers. Riders must be selected by their nations motorcycling authority. Riders then must compete in Qualifying rounds and hotly contested Semi Finals before reaching the World Longtrack series proper.
TheTeam Long Track World Championship involves each team consisting of 3 riders racing each other for points. The top team at the end is the winner.Germany have won 8 championships.