The USA take on the World as International Speedway returns to Motors TV on Tuesday (31^st August 2010, 9:15pm) for the final instalment of ‘USA National Speedway 2009’.  In a season that saw them ranked unlucky thirteenth in the world after a disappointing last position in their World Cup Quarter Final, a meeting on home soil offers a perfect opportunity to bounce back for the American side.

Billy Janniro returns to charge for the American Dream, with Charlie Venegas re-joining the USA as their most experienced rider to partner the former Coventry Bee.  With home track hero Bart Bast, former World Cup rider Tommy Hedden, internationally experienced Bryan Yarrow, and raw recruit Bryce Starks, the USA line-up looks certain to thrill around the tight confines of Auburn’s Fast Fridays, California.

“Team USA saw their 2009 World Cup challenge ended on the massive 373 metre Lokomotiv Stadium in Daugavpils”, explains USA National Speedway 2009 producer Alex Raby.  “But on their home turf, with the smaller circuits to which they are accustomed, the Americans really are true track experts.  On USA National Speedway 2009 we’ve had the opportunity to see them fly around Victorville, Perris and Costa Mesa, and last week’s AMA National Speedway Championship gave all of the fans a glimpse of the action at Auburn as well.  Dialled in to the set-up for the circuit, they should certainly be on the pace, but a largely European team flying all the way over to stop them will certainly be keen to show that bigger is better for training, in terms of Speedway track size!”

Looking to show the Americans a clean pair of heels at number one for The World is German national Speedway Champion Martin Smolinski, a treble winner with Coventry in 2007 who spent five seasons with the Bees in Great Britain.  Five out of the side’s six riders have similar British Speedway experience, with Bobby Hedden a former Sheffield rider and with Lubos Tomicek who has spent spells with Oxford and Lakeside.  But perhaps the most interesting partnership for Auburn’s small circuit will be lively Danish duo Claus Vissing and Kenneth Hansen, both former stars in their National Under 21 team, and both newly emerging on the international scene.  Greg Hooten at number six completes a youthful side with an average age of 25, the 23-year-old an expert at Auburn having raced on the circuit since the age of 14.

“In Martin Smolinski and Claus Vissing, the World side lines up with two riders known predominantly for their status as entertainers.  Bobby Hedden is in the veteran stage of his career, but he and Greg Hooten form a potent mix of youth and experience, while Lubos Tomicek has enjoyed racing at Auburn enough to know the fast way around.”

And the latest in the Tomicek Czech racing dynasty will certainly need to be on top form.  He has scored double figures in each of the last two tests between the USA and the World, including the 2008 competition covered previously by ‘USA National Speedway’, but the international team has fallen twice in a row.  Now The World will be looking to return to their glorious best, the days that saw Jason Crump lead them to success in 2005 and 2006 as World Champion.  In a competition that has a golden history stretching back to 1974, when The World won two tests to one at Costa Mesa, the international side has often been the stronger.  But perhaps the late 1970s days of Bruce Penhall, Bobby Schwartz and Mike Faria are on their way back again, and the USA will show the stars and stripes once again to the international circuit.

The USA vs The World test match at Auburn in California will be broadcast for the first time on Motors TV on Tuesday 31^st August at 9:15pm, with repeats throughout the week.  USA National Speedway is in its second season of broadcasting seventeen episode coverage of Speedway motorbike racing in the USA, and this international clash is the final episode of the 2009 series. 

Motors TV, the ‘High Speed Television’ channel, provides the widest coverage of international motorsport, with exclusive events and more than 70 championships transmitted in 54 countries and close to 16 million households subscribing by satellite, cable and ADSL.  The channel can be received via Sky television (channel 413) or via Virgin Media (channel 545).

NOTE: Viewers have just two chances to enjoy repeats of the AMA National Speedway Championship from Auburn in California.  To watch Greg Hancock swoop to an all-time record Championship win, tune in to Motors TV on Wednesday 25^th August at 4pm or Friday 27^th August at half past midnight.

The AMA National Speedway Championships return to Motors TV on Tuesday (7^th June, 9:15pm), as a part of the USA National Speedway series broadcast weekly on the channel.  The first of three AMA events, round one comes from the world famous Costa Mesa Speedway, the breeding ground of former World Champions Bruce Penhall, Sam Ermolenko, Billy Hamill and Greg Hancock. 

The 1997 World Champion Hancock returns to his childhood training ground in an attempt to regain his National crown, and in so doing aims to become the most successful rider in National Championship history, with a possible eighth title to be earned.  But an all-star line-up including reigning and undisputed 2008 USA National Champion Billy Janniro, two time USA Under 21 Champion Ricky Wells, and 2008 podium finishers Bart Bast and Bryan Yarrow returns to stop him.  Add into the equation former British League riders ‘Flying’ Mike Faria, Charlie ‘The Edge’ Venegas, Bobby ‘Boogaloo’ Schwartz, Shawn ‘Mad Dog’ McConnell and ‘Gorgeous’ Gary Hicks, and these three rounds could just be the most difficult of Hancock’s career. 

The meeting also represents an opportunity to see former USA Dream Team riders Kenny Ingalls, Jimmy Fishback, Eddie Castro and Tyson Burmeister in action on their native soil in a standard twenty heat format.  But before all of that, the riders must qualify to even be there, with a brutal four race elimination programme set to destroy the dreams of some, and elevate others onto the national stage in front of 6,000 cheering fans. 

 To enjoy all of the action, USA National Speedway in association with Motors TV have expanded the standard one hour format of the show, to bring you all 28 heats of action within a one-and-a-half hour programme.

Series producer Alex Raby commented: “USA National Speedway 2009 really is the next step up from our first series, and the three planned special one and a half hour shows will prove that.  We are once again very excited to offer coverage of the AMA National Championships, with rounds from both Costa Mesa and Auburn, California, and in the round one show we will get to hear pre- and post-match interviews as well as seeing all 28 races, which simply would not have been possible within an hour.”

 “The third round at Auburn much later this season will be a part of a two week special that sees us visit the track for both the National Championship finale and for the USA vs The World, which was a very popular meeting last season.  We have listened to our viewers who requested the opportunity to see a wider variety of circuits in the USA, and so, with our shows on the team scene in the country and by broadcasting the Victorville Championships, we have attempted to go that one step further.”

“We have already enjoyed seeing the Victorville Vikings take on the Ridgecrest Aces at Perris Speedway, and what better finish could there be to a meeting than a last heat decider with the result decided on the very final two bends?  It could not have been scripted better.  But that hasn’t been the only on the line result, with the first meeting of our series setting a trend for the year by being decided by an actual hair’s breadth on a photo finish – the racing really is that close.”

“Gary Hicks just missed out in the Spring Classic, but a victory would have been wholly appropriate and representative of his successful comeback – to be able to take victory some years after he last won would have been a special type of justice.  But instead he recovered from disappointment to post victories in two further meetings: he is the man to beat at Costa Mesa in 2009, but what can the others do to match him?  If Ermolenko’s Costa Mesa return can be as inspiring, we are certainly looking at something special for the remainder of the season.”

“The racing on the country’s tight circuits is so very close, and the tremendous level of passing thanks to the USA’s unique brand of entertainers makes individual competitions a fest of overtaking.  With riders like Hancock, Wells and Janniro returning for the AMA National Championships as well, we will be guaranteed excitement.”

“We are indebted to Motors TV for their continued support, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have worked across oceans to bring this series to fruition.”

USA National Speedway is in its second season of broadcasting seventeen episode coverage of Speedway motorbike racing in the USA.  Tune in at 9:15 every Tuesday for all of the action from the American Speedway scene, or watch repeats throughout each week.  Motors TV, the ‘High Speed Television’ channel, provides the widest coverage of international motorsport, with exclusive events and more than 70 championships transmitted in 54 countries and close to 16 million households subscribing by satellite, cable and ADSL.  The channel can be received via Sky television (channel 413) or via Virgin Media (channel 545).

The USA Speedway season is reaching its closing stages, with just five meetings to go until the final November 14th event at Victorville's Wheel2Wheel Raceway.  Each of the major National-level Championships has been decided, test matches completed, and a USA Select team, known more commonly as 'The USA Dream Team' have embarked on a tour of Great Britain.

The shooting of USA Speedway events is almost at an end, with 16 already having been captured by the team, and work is already underway on a second series of 'USA National Speedway'.  We look forward to bringing you more news, and all the action, in due course.

The chequered flag has fallen on the seventeenth and last programme of 'USA National Speedway 2008', with one of the greatest events of the year perfectly rounding out the season.  The USA and 'The World' teams both enjoyed an exciting tussle, as did the fans in Auburn, and of course the many viewers tuning in from their own homes.

In a successful first season of broadcast, USA National Speedway enjoyed an estimated peak viewership of over 70,000 fans and an estimated average of over 20,000 fans per show.  Official 'Broadcasters' Audience Research Board' figures put 'USA National Speedway 2008' among the top ten shows on Motors TV multiple times during its 20 week run, including a second position finish for the popular '40th Anniversary Season Opener' meeting from Costa Mesa.

Most importantly, a great deal of feedback has been received regarding the series, with a great many positive comments feeding to the production team.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank not only everybody involved with the series, but equally importantly to those who tuned in regularly to watch the official AMA and SRA events from 2008.

“USA National Speedway 2008” comes to Motors TV on March 22^nd when we start our marathon 17 consecutive week run of one of the most spectacular events in world motorsport.

Coverage from last year's US Speedway scene features notable names such as former World Champion Billy Hamill as well as current and former British League riders Billy Janniro, Mike Faria, Chris Manchester, Bobby Schwartz and Shawn McConnell.  In addition to seeing some of the United States' top riders go head-to-head, viewers will have the opportunity to witness some of the best racing from the world famous Costa Mesa stadium which last year celebrated its 40^th anniversary of Speedway.

What is more, the series presents America’s most important Speedway events including the US Nationals and AMA National Championships.  The season of speed will even end with the USA's only test match of 2008, when they took on the Rest of the World, offering a line-up complete with notable names such as Lubos Tomicek, former World Finalist Phil Collins, and German international Martin Smolinski.

Alex Raby, producer of "USA National Speedway 2008" said: "It is a great honour that Motors TV have chosen to dedicate us a primetime television slot on Sunday at 8pm, and a sign of the appeal of Speedway as a motorsport.  I believe that in return, we offer a fantastic product, with sheer entertainment value, and the fact that it is to be shown multiple times per week is representative of just what we offer.

“Fans are given a pure racing spectacle, an hour of gladiatorial Speedway combat, racing from start to finish.  For the many who have campaigned for Speedway to be shown more widely on television, this is a day of great pleasure for you.  The racing is fast from the very start and the events are World Class and include National Championships."

“Bike racing has always been one of the top-rated motorsports on the channel,” added Motors TV Head of Programming & Acquisitions Frédéric Viger. “We know from past experience that Speedway is a favourite amongst our viewers so when the possibility of broadcasting its very best championship arose, we didn’t have to think twice.

“We’re confident it will be a hit. This is hopefully just the first step as we’re working very closely with Alex Raby to bring much more Speedway to the channel in the future.”

THE OFFICIAL BROADCAST schedule is now available on the official website of Speedway on Motors TV.  Confirmation was received today that the programme will receive a regular slot at 8pm on Sunday evenings, designed to give the maximum possible exposure to the programme and the sport.  Each programme will then be re-broadcast over the subsequent week at least six times, so if you happen to be out watching live Speedway on a Sunday, then you have another five chances to watch your action.  The special broadcast of the first programme will feature seven repeats, so you are guaranteed not to miss a race!

The broadcast schedule is available via the navigation bar under the header “Broadcast Schedule”.  

IN ASSOCIATION WITH American Speedway Online, Alex Raby is pleased to announce that Speedway will be returning to Motors TV from March, following the confirmation of a seventeen programme series commencing on the twenty second of the month.  Entitled "USA National Speedway 2008", the series broadcasts some of the best racing from last year's USA Speedway scene, featuring notable names such as former World Champion Billy Hamill, current British League rider Billy Janniro, and former British League riders Mike Faria, Chris Manchester, Bobby Schwartz and Shawn McConnell, amongst others.  As well as seeing some of the United States' best riders go head-to-head, viewers will have the opportunity to see some of the best racing from the world famous Costa Mesa Speedway stadium in its 40th season of Speedway.  Moving away from The Bullring, the series presents the most important of USA's Speedway events including the US Nationals and the AMA National Championship.  The season of speed will even end with the USA's only test match of 2008, as they took on the Rest of the World, offering a line-up complete with notable names such as Lubos Tomicek, former World Finalist Phil Collins, and German international Martin Smolinski.

Programme producer Alex Raby says of the announcement: “It is a great honour that Motors TV have chosen to dedicate us a primetime television slot on Sunday at 8pm, and a sign of the appeal of Speedway as a motorsport.  I believe that in return, we offer a fantastic product, with sheer entertainment value, and the fact that it is to be shown six times per week is representative of just what we offer.  The frills are gone, and fans are left with a pure racing spectacular, an hour of gladiatorial Speedway combat.  For the many who have campaigned for Speedway to be shown more widely on television, this is a day of great pleasure for you.  On a personal level, the project is the culmination of a great deal of hard work over the last year, putting together a product that is representative of the sport.”

“I hope that anyone who has considered a need for wider Speedway coverage would consider becoming a ‘subscriber’ to the programme, receiving a name credit on our official website and a newsletter tracking the programme’s progress.  The small ten pound charge for this is a way of showing your appreciation for the hard work that has gone into the project; of course, along with our partners we have a great deal of costs to cover, and if we are to safeguard the future of programmes such as these, then large amounts of money are needed.  However, a ten pound donation represents less than 60 pence per programme, fantastic value even in our current financial climate.”

“Similarly good value, our sponsorship programmes are representative of a fantastic offer of screentime for companies who wish to be associated with our product.  We believe that, with your help, we can continue to expand our televised Speedway coverage.  Where better to start than to offer a small amount of financial aid in return for international recognition of your company.”

For further details regarding available sponsorship packages, and for information regarding how to become a subscriber to the programme, please visit our new website at www.webjam.com/speedwayonmotorstv or contact alexraby@gmail.com for a copy of the available forms.