Greg Hancock Earns Fourth World Speedway Title

The ageless Greg Hancock claims his fourth FIM World Speedway Championship at 46 years of age.

American speedway legend Greg Hancock, 46, claimed his fourth career FIM World Speedway Championship title on October 22. Hancock's first World Championship crown dates all the way back to 1997. PHOTO BY JAREK PABIJAN.
American speedway legend Greg Hancock, 46, claimed his fourth career FIM World Speedway Championship title on October 22. Hancock’s first World Championship crown dates all the way back to 1997. PHOTO BY JAREK PABIJAN.

The following is from the American Motorcyclist Association:

PICKERINGTON, Ohio–
The American Motorcyclist Association congratulates U.S. rider and AMA Charter Life Member Greg Hancock on his fourth world title, the 2016 Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Speedway World Championship.

“Our congratulations go out to Greg Hancock, the world’s greatest speedway racer,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “He proves himself on the track time and time again. His talent and hard work place him at the top of the field and provide an excellent example for the next generation of American speedway champions.”

Hancock secured the championship with 3 points earned in his first race at the QBE Insurance Australian FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 22.

Hancock, 46, of Costa Mesa, California, last won the world championship in 2014. His other FIM Speedway World Championship titles came in 2011 and 1997.

Hancock finished the season with 139 points. Great Britain’s Tai Woffinden finished second with 130 points. And Poland’s Bartosz Zmarzlik was third with 128.

The history of American Speedway competition dates to the mid-1920s. One of the sport’s early stars was America’s first world champion: AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jack Milne, who won the 1937 Individual Speedway Championship in London.

Speedway is known for its fast action and tight racing. A meet features numerous heats of four riders each, power-sliding methanol-burning 500cc four-stroke, single-speed bikes with no brakes counter-clockwise around a dirt oval.

For more information about AMA-sanctioned speedway competition, see www.americanmotorcyclist.com/racing/speedway.

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