Description
So, What is Six-day Racing, Anyway?
Six-day track racing originated in the 19th century as part of a fascination with novel endurance sporting events. The earliest six-day races were straightforward contests to see who could ride the most laps on a track over six days. The format soon evolved to feature two-man teams, with riders taking turns on the track and dividing up the 24-hour periods—they even ate meals while riding.
Modern six-day racing takes place over six nights on indoor tracks, typically from 6 pm to 2 am. The overall winner is the team that completes the most laps. In addition to the “chase” to gain laps over competitors, a typical six-day program includes time trials, motor-paced races, intermediate sprints, and elimination races.
In the “chase” or Madison events (named after Madison Square Garden in New York City, where the two-rider format was devised), both riders may be on the track simultaneously, taking turns racing and using a hand-sling technique to propel each other back into action.
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