Every FIM SGP4 World Championship event features 16 riders, racing each other over 20 high-intensity heats.
Each heat features four riders taking four laps of the track – with all the action crammed into around ONE MINUTE.
The winning rider in each heat scores three race points, with two for second place, one for third and zero points for last place, being disqualified or failing to finish.
The rider with the most points after 20 heats is the FIM SGP4 world champion.
Ties
If riders are tied points for any of the medal positions, a run-off will be staged.
If riders are tied for any other position, the countback system is used, with the rider registering the most race wins ranked highest.
If they are tied on race wins, seconds, then thirds and fourth places are taken into consideration – with a fourth place deemed better than a retirement or disqualification.
If this does not resolve the tie, the rider who registered the fastest race time of the tied riders - regardless of whether or not they won the heat – is placed highest.
Line-up
Places in the FIM SGP4 World Championship are allocated to national federations by the FIM.
Riders will be nominated for the FIM SGP4 World Championship by their national federations.
Racing rules
There will be no starting number selections ahead of the FIM SGP4 World Championship, with riders’ starting positions allocated via a random FIM draw.
A non-competitive free practice session takes place on SGP4 weekends. There is no Qualifying session at SGP4 events.
Four riders line up in each race, each wearing a different helmet colour – red, blue, white or yellow. The rider in red starts on the inside in gate one, with blue starting from gate two, white on gate three and yellow lining up in gate four on the outside.
The countdown to a race begins when the FIM referee starts the 90-second clock. At the end of this 90-second deadline, riders must be at the tapes and ready to race – otherwise they face being disqualified.
In the event of a restart due to an unsatisfactory start, the FIM race director has the option to reduce the time allowed to one minute.
Once the four riders have been lined up by the start marshal, the referee turns on the green light to put them under starter’s orders. The tapes will then be released by a randomised electronic system.
If riders touch the starting tapes, they are disqualified. If a rider is adjudged by the referee to have moved before the tapes lifted, they are handed an official warning. If they move or touch the tapes again during the same event, they are automatically disqualified.
When the tapes lift, an intense minute of action gets underway as four riders battle it out over four furious laps.
If a rider or riders fall, and the race is stopped, the FIM referee will disqualify the rider they deem to have caused the stoppage. If the incident occurs on the first turn, the referee has the option to invite all of the riders back for the restart if they believe no-one was at fault.
If a rider crosses the white inside line fully with both wheels or leaves the circuit, they are adjudged to have retired from the race – unless they left the track to take essential avoiding action (e.g. to avoid a fallen rider).
Bikes
Unlike in other motorcycle sports, SGP4 bikes have NO BRAKES – riders make their turns by power sliding through the corners.
In SGP4, FIM Speedway's youngest stars compete on the 190cc SGP4 bike, designed by six-time FIM Speedway world champion Tony Rickardsson. CLICK HERE for more information.