Speedway GP’s Golden Race Jacket returns for 2026, with a special presentation to the winner of the WWK Schwaiger & Partner FIM Speedway GP of Germany – Landshut on Saturday night.
Originally inspired by the Tour de France’s storied yellow jersey, the Speedway GP World Championship leader donned the Golden Race Jacket from 2005 until 2009, with icons of the sport including Tony Rickardsson, Jason Crump and Nicki Pedersen all lining up in gold on their way to speedway’s biggest prize.
The tradition has continued in the Speedway European Championship – the winner of which qualifies for the following season’s Speedway GP series.
The Golden Race Jacket returns to Speedway GP after a 17-year absence. As part of Saturday’s podium ceremony, the Landshut winner will be presented with the Golden Race Jacket, which they will compete in at round two – the FIM Speedway GP of Czech Republic – Prague on May 23.
When a rider captures the World Championship lead after a Speedway GP event, they earn the right to don the Golden Race Jacket for the next round.
With sprint races taking place at Qualifying in Manchester R3, Wroclaw, Lodz, Vojens and Torun, the Golden Race Jacket may even change hands before the evening’s event has started if a new leader emerges after the sprint.
Richard Coleman, founder of new FIM Speedway global promoter Mayfield Sports Events, hopes the Golden Race Jacket’s return will shine a brighter spotlight on the Speedway GP title race.
He said: “The Golden Race Jacket is something speedway fans and followers of other sports with similar concepts will be familiar with, and we are pleased to bring it back for 2026.
“It makes the Speedway GP World Championship leader instantly identifiable on the track – both for fans old and new, not to mention for those chasing them down for the right to compete in the Golden Race Jacket.
“We hope the battle to wear it will be intense and that it will change hands many times throughout an exciting 2026 season.
“While I’m sure it will be a great moment for whoever claims the Golden Race Jacket in Landshut, it’s the final round in Torun when I’m sure every rider will dream of ending the night in gold with a World Championship gold medal to match.”
Words and Images by FIM Speedway
