USA takes on the World in Speedway Motorcycle Showdown!
The USA National Speedway motorcycle team races its only event of the year in America on Saturday February 10th at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, CA.
The competition features two teams of 8 riders each, facing off in 17 epic heat races to determine the winner. Each heat features two racers from Team USA and two from World Stars team, featuring riders from 5 different countries. Points score throughout the event with every place in every race counting!
Leading Team USA is Luke Becker, who spends his summer racing in the Professional leagues of England, Poland, Sweden & Denmark. Also lining up is current National Champion Max Ruml, 11 time National champion Billy Janniro, California State Champion Broc Nicol, Gino Manzares, who races in Swedish and Danish leagues, Dillon Ruml, and young duo of Slater Lightcap and Alex Martin.
The World team is led by three time Grand Prix winner Dan Bewley, who was 2021 World Nations Champion alongside fellow British rider, Tom Brennan. Three time British Champion and speedway superstar Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris and former Under 21 National Champion Leon Flint complete the British contingent. Three-time Italian National Champion Michele ‘Paco’ Castagna, Polish younger Pawel Trzienewski (Poland) and dual Nationals Wilbur Hancock (Sweden / USA) and Austin Novratil (Northern Ireland / USA) complete the world team.
Last years event saw the USA win narrowly by 44-40, but this years World Team is every bit capable to push the US all the way.
When the team competition is done, all 16 riders come back for heats and finals in individual competition. With support races from Team USA’s Future Stars and Juniors, there will be a total of 24 races in the three hour show that starts at 1pm.
For those not familiar, speedway motorcycles run on a short dirt oval track with a 0-60mph acceleration as fast as a Formula One race car. The bikes have no brakes, one gear and drift around the corners. The track at Kern, with its banked turns and recently installed air safety barrier is considered to be the best in the country.
