Speedway Fanatic MTG Card

Kaladesh (KLD)
2016-09-30 - Number 132

Speedway Fanatic - Kaladesh Remastered (KLR)

Kaladesh Remastered (KLR)
2020-11-12 - Number 147

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Pilot
Abilities	Haste
Power	2
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

Speedway Fanatic excels in vehicle decks, providing swift, pressure-inducing attacks on opponents.
It can be restricted by specific mana needs and might lead to a higher discard rate.
Effective against Fanatic includes instant-speed removal or targeting its vehicular synergy.

Text of card

Haste Whenever Speedway Fanatic crews a Vehicle, that Vehicle gains haste until end of turn.

If her vehicle even has a brake, she couldn't tell you which pedal it is.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Speedway Fanatic itself doesn’t provide direct card draw, its haste ability enables you to put immediate pressure on your opponent, potentially leading to advantageous board states or forcing resource-depleting responses.

Resource Acceleration: Speedway Fanatic helps turn any vehicle into a faster threat. Its ability to give haste to crewed vehicles means you’re accelerating the pace at which your resources – in this case, vehicles – become active and capable of affecting the game.

Instant Speed: Although Speedway Fanatic isn’t an instant itself, its haste-giving nature works superbly with vehicles that might come into play at instant speed. This synergy allows for unexpected turns and swift offensive maneuvers which can catch an opponent off guard, similar to the benefits of being able to act at instant speed.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Speedway Fanatic does not necessitate discarding a card inherently but demanding a complement of certain cards to maximize its potential may inadvertently lead to an increased discard rate. This could pressure your hand, causing you to part with valuable cards during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: While affordable at two mana, the Speedway Fanatic card’s red mana stipulation binds it to decks that can produce this color. This can be restrictive, excluding the card from a wide array of deck builds and strategy executions that do not center around or incorporate red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In comparison to other creatures at the same mana value, Speedway Fanatic’s strength lies in its haste ability, yet the deck synchronization needed to fully utilize its advantages might not justify its slot over creatures with inherently stronger stats or more versatile abilities, especially in a format where every card choice is crucial.

Reasons to Include Speedway Fanatic in Your Collection

Versatility: Speedway Fanatic can be a valuable addition to various deck types, providing a consistent source of haste to other vehicles you control. This ability can be crucial in aggressive or vehicle-based strategies that aim to apply pressure quickly.

Combo Potential: Its haste ability can combo well with numerous vehicle cards or other creatures that benefit from entering the battlefield with the ability to attack immediately. Combining Speedway Fanatic with high-power vehicles can result in a potent offensive surge.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tempo is key, Speedway Fanatic shines by enabling faster plays and maintaining pressure on your opponent. Its contribution to vehicle-centric decks makes it a relevant choice in certain competitive environments.

How to beat Speedway Fanatic

Speedway Fanatic is an intriguing red creature known for its ability to give vehicles a boost in Magic: The Gathering. The Fanatic alone is a manageable threat, but when it crews a vehicle, it can suddenly put opponents in a tight spot by bestowing haste, potentially enabling an aggressive strategy.

To effectively counter Speedway Fanatic, it’s essential to disrupt its synergy with vehicles. Artifact removal spells are a practical approach, removing the vehicle before the Fanatic can hop in. Alternatively, prioritizing removal of the Fanatic itself can also stifle your opponent’s momentum.

Timing is crucial in these interactions. Instant-speed removal like Shock or Fatal Push can catch an opponent off-guard, nipping a would-be hasty vehicle attack in the bud. By understanding and anticipating your adversary’s strategies, you can prepare your deck with the right answers to stay one step ahead, ensuring Speedway Fanatic doesn’t cross the finish line first.

Cards like Speedway Fanatic

Speedway Fanatic brings an aggressive twist to the roster of haste enablers in Magic: The Gathering. A creature card with a similar haste-inducing ability is Goblin Motivator. Like Speedway Fanatic, the Motivator allows you to grant haste to another creature. However, Speedway Fanatic comes with the added benefit of haste for itself, enabling immediate impact upon entering the battlefield. Its power gets amplified when crewing vehicles, as it passes on its haste to them, a unique asset not shared by the Goblin.

Considering other cards, we have Torch Courier, another one-drop with the potential to give haste to other creatures. Whereas the Courier sacrifices itself for this one-time effect, Speedway Fanatic stays in play, ready to charge turn after turn. Lastly, Fervent Champion is another competitive option, not only granting haste but also reducing equipment costs, offering inherent synergy for equipment-heavy decks.

These comparisons shed light on how Speedway Fanatic finds its niche among MTG haste enablers. It may not have the multi-utility of some alternatives, but its specific interaction with vehicles combined with self-haste sets it on a distinct track for certain aggressive strategies in the game.

Cards similar to Speedway Fanatic by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Speedway Fanatic MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Remastered, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Speedway Fanatic and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Speedway Fanatic Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-09-30	Kaladesh	KLD		132	2015	Normal	Black	Slawomir Maniak
2	2020-11-12	Kaladesh Remastered	KLR		147	2015	Normal	Black	Slawomir Maniak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Speedway Fanatic has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Speedway Fanatic card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2016-09-20	Speedway Fanatic's triggered ability triggers when it becomes tapped to activate a crew ability. Even if Speedway Fanatic leaves the battlefield before its triggered ability resolves, that Vehicle still gains haste until end of turn.