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Speedway In Japan


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Hello,

 

I remember seeing an article in the Motor Cycle News, years ago, about a type of speedway in Japan.

 

I think they rod on tarmac and used twin cylinder engines. There was, as I recall, on track betting.

 

Does anybody know whether it still exists? and if so perhaps put a 'bit more meat on the bones'.

 

 

Regards.

 

 

Ray Rocket :)

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Hi Grachan,

 

Very interesting. I thought it was still going. I think years ago they used Triumph twin engines.

 

I wonder if any promoter would be willing to give a Japanese speedway rider a try or perhaps a Japanese rider give some demonstrations at British tracks.

 

Thanks Grachan.

 

Ray Rocket ;)

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Speedway Japanese style is still active. References have been made to it on other sites. It's much the format as discussed here - tarmac tracks, betting, etc.

 

From what I have seen on videos it is more akin to the USA's flat-track racing than speedway as 'we know it.'

 

The last - and only time - a Japanese rider raced in Europe was when Jimmy Ogisu appeared in an Internationale at Wimbledon in the early 1960s.

 

Before that, some Japanese riders switched codes and race a few meetings 'proper speedway style' in Australia. As I recall, that was in the late 1970s. Can't be certain on the period.

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I wonder if any promoter would be willing to give a Japanese speedway rider a try or perhaps a Japanese rider give some demonstrations at British tracks.

 

 

 

I don't think it would be worth their while to come over here. The Autorace riders are very well paid. It would be great to see a few come over and do some demonstration races though, and give conventional speedway a go.

 

How about a Japanese GP? That would, I suspect, be massively succesful.

 

Interesting page here: http://www.autorace.or.jp/guide/en/

Edited by Grachan
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Thanks Grachan , a well written and enjoyable review of Japanese autoracing .

 

The differences between the two codes of short-track bike racing seem to be larger than the similarities , the two sets of fans watching for fundametally different reasons ( gambling vs team sport ) . Other than for novelty value , i can't see any major crossover appeal for the respective sports.

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Thanks Grachan,

 

The website on Auto Racing, is also very interesting. It's given me a chance to brush up on my Japanese as well!

 

The picture of the bike seems to show a straight through exhaust, so I imagine it to be very noisy, but a great noise.

 

Do they run on methanol or petrol I wonder and castor oil.

 

Perhaps if there are DVDs/Videos available, it could be a change from horses for race nights in pubs and clubs.

 

If there were demonstration races, maybe they could be held at tracks that have tarmac tracks as well, i.e. Arena Essex and Ipswich. It could mean racing returning to Wimbledon!

 

Very interesting.

 

 

Ray Rocket :)

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Malcolm posted a link on here a while back which went to a menu of races, including live net coverage. I couldn't find his exact link but I've got close from a link he posted later to a meeting at Kawaguchi.

 

http://autorace.or.jp/netlive/kawaguchi/ondemand.html

 

This shows races from the various stadiums. The list on the right hand side is a list of stadiums in this order:

Funabashi

Kawaguchi

Isesaki

Hamamatsu

Iizuka

Sanyou

 

The grid shows date and race number (1R = 1st Race, 12R = 12th Race).

 

The tab at the top seems to take you to live coverage when it's available.

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Malcolm posted a link on here a while back which went to a menu of races, including live net coverage. I couldn't find his exact link but I've got close from a link he posted later to a meeting at Kawaguchi.

 

http://autorace.or.jp/netlive/kawaguchi/ondemand.html

 

This shows races from the various stadiums. The list on the right hand side is a list of stadiums in this order:

Funabashi

Kawaguchi

Isesaki

Hamamatsu

Iizuka

Sanyou

 

The grid shows date and race number (1R = 1st Race, 12R = 12th Race).

 

The tab at the top seems to take you to live coverage when it's available.

 

 

Hey Grachan,

 

Just watched one race, in silence I might add, as at work.

 

Can only say, awesome!

 

 

Many thanks and would recommend others have a look.

 

 

Ray Rocket

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Crikes!! What's going on with that tortoise??

 

Looks like there might be live racing on tomorrow morning at some of those circuits by the way.

 

EDIT - Hey, where's Ivan's post gone? My comment makes no sense whatsoever now.

 

http://autorace.or.jp/archives/ Click Movie for old races and Commercial with tortoise.

Edited by Grachan
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Sorry Grachan , the main part of my post was basically a repeat of your link , whence the deletion .

 

Thats how to advertise a sport , i love her madcap hat .

 

Watching some of the post race celebrations , it seems most of the punters are less than bothered . Are they perhaps holders of losing tickets ?

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Crikes!! What's going on with that tortoise??

 

Looks like there might be live racing on tomorrow morning at some of those circuits by the way.

 

EDIT - Hey, where's Ivan's post gone? My comment makes no sense whatsoever now.

 

http://autorace.or.jp/archives/ Click Movie for old races and Commercial with tortoise.

 

 

Hi Grachan

 

Still trying to get to grips with the site, but seems very good.

 

Regards.

 

Ray Rocket :)

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Autoracing is nothing to do with speedway.

 

Speedway takes place on a loose surface.

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Autoracing is nothing to do with speedway.

 

Speedway takes place on a loose surface.

 

 

Hello 2minwarning,

 

Several motorsports contain the name 'speedway', such as:

 

* American motor speedway

 

* Ice speedway

 

Agreed it is not speedway as we in Britain understand it, but you have to admit, the Japanese autoracing is very similar, for the following reasons:

 

* Similar machinery

 

* Oval track

 

* Anti-clockwise racing

 

 

I think it looks very exciting, however, I still prefer the 'loose stuff' type racing, whether it be speedway, long track or grasstrack.

 

(Notice long track and grasstrack doesn't have the name speedway!)

 

 

Regards.

 

Ray Rocket :rolleyes:

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Hello 2minwarning,

 

Several motorsports contain the name 'speedway', such as:

* American motor speedway

* Ice speedway

Ray Rocket  :rolleyes:

 

There is no ice speedway, but there's speedway on ice. Ice racing is probably what you're after.

 

As for American motor speedway, I'm sure thats a track, not a sport. :rolleyes:

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There is no ice speedway, but there's speedway on ice. Ice racing is probably what you're after.

 

As for American motor speedway, I'm sure thats a track, not a sport. :rolleyes:

 

Hi f-s-p,

 

So British speedway has a monopoly or has patented the name 'speedway'.

 

I did not realise that was the case.

 

 

Regards.

 

 

Ray Rocket :blink:

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