British Speedway set for big revamp with promotion and relegation
Thursday 3 November 2016 21:25, UK
British Speedway is set for the biggest revamp of the sport in modern history as it gets ready to return in 2017.
The restructure of league racing in the UK sees both Rye House and second tier champions Somerset take the plunge with promotion to the top flight.
And there's good news for fans of troubled Leicester and Belle Vue with both clubs, who boast a rich heritage, ready to come to the tapes again at the top level.
Promoters feel the dramatic revamp was necessary in a financially challenging climate and while chairman Keith Chapman admits there is an element of cost cutting, there is plenty for fans and sponsors to be excited about.
He said: "This was probably the best AGM I've been to in all my time in the sport.
"There was a genuine desire to try and change things and secure the future of league racing in the UK. I certainly think we have done that and I'm very excited about the months ahead.
"Every promoter acknowledged something had to be done after some very difficult times for the sport - now we've done something and I'm looking forward to a bright future."
The leagues have been rebranded Speedway Great Britain (SGB) Premiership and SGB Championship - and promotion and relegation has been introduced with the leagues coming closer together.
The winners of the Championship play-offs will race the Premiership's bottom club to decide who rides in the 2018 SGB Premiership.
The same rules and race format, last year's PL programme, will apply to both leagues - that means tactical rides are available when 10-points down from heats 5-12.
The injury rider-replacement rule will also now be in place in both leagues.
The season will start with Knockout Cup meetings at both levels before the launch of the exciting new leagues.
All riders will now have one average, based on Premier League figures, for team building purposes with a 50-point limit for the top division and 40 for the Championship.
It means riders who only raced in the Elite League last season will see their average increased by 1.4 to bring them in line with Premier League averages.
The only difference in team building rules between the leagues is that Championship clubs must include a British youngster with a three-point average.
And in a bid to help young riders get team spots, any rider who hasn't achieved a three-point average will come in on a minimum of two.
No team changes will be permitted in either league after July 31.
Vice chairman Rob Godfrey said: "I believe we have achieved a total restructuring of British Speedway.
"We have created leagues which are sustainable and have a structure with promotion and relegation and the same rules.
"Now we have rebranded the sport, it's time to deliver."
