Speedway Elite League
Encyclopedia
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway
league competition in the United Kingdom
and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau (SCB), in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association
(BSPA). It is sponsored by Sky Sports
. The league consists of ten teams, racing against each other home and away plus ten "B" fixtures during a season which runs between March and October. Each team has a designated race day on which they normally stage their home fixtures, and they regularly have home and away fixtures scheduled in the same week.
was formed in 1965 as the top division of speedway and matches are held over a series of races, with 2 riders from each team taking part in each race. In 1995 & 1996 the top tier was known as the Speedway Premier League
(an amalgamation of the British League
and the British League Division Two
), before the Elite League became the top tier in 1997. The Championship was decided on a straight league table basis until 2001. A Play-off system was introduced in 2002, with the top four in the table taking part in a knockout competition to decide the champions.
From 2008, promotion and relegation between the Elite League (EL) and Premier League
(PL) was introduced for the first time since 1991.. The team finishing last faces the Premier League play-off winner over two legs (one match at each track), with the aggregate winner taking the EL spot in the following season, and the losing team racing in the PL.
(CMA) of the seven riders declared in the team must not be higher than an agreed figure set at the British Speedway Promoters' Association
(BSPA) Annual General Meeting
.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
league competition in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau (SCB), in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association
British Speedway Promoters' Association
The British Speedway Promoters Association organises the domestic motorcycle speedway competitions in the UK. They are also responsible for the promotion and running of the FIM meetings staged in Britain....
(BSPA). It is sponsored by Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
. The league consists of ten teams, racing against each other home and away plus ten "B" fixtures during a season which runs between March and October. Each team has a designated race day on which they normally stage their home fixtures, and they regularly have home and away fixtures scheduled in the same week.
Brief history
The British LeagueSpeedway British League
The British League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1965 until 1995 when it became known as the Premier League. Prior to 1965 the division had been known as the National League....
was formed in 1965 as the top division of speedway and matches are held over a series of races, with 2 riders from each team taking part in each race. In 1995 & 1996 the top tier was known as the Speedway Premier League
Speedway Premier League
The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division...
(an amalgamation of the British League
Speedway British League
The British League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1965 until 1995 when it became known as the Premier League. Prior to 1965 the division had been known as the National League....
and the British League Division Two
Speedway British League Division Two
The British League Division Two was created in 1968 and was the second tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom up until 1975, and then from 1991 to 1995. After the formation of the British League in 1965, riders wanting to break into teams found it more difficult to do so...
), before the Elite League became the top tier in 1997. The Championship was decided on a straight league table basis until 2001. A Play-off system was introduced in 2002, with the top four in the table taking part in a knockout competition to decide the champions.
League format
Teams are awarded two points for a win, one point for a draw and from 2008 three points for an away win. Each team races every other team in the league home and away, and then races five teams again home and twice away, giving a total of 38 meetings. The first of these home and away fixtures are called the 'A' fixtures, the second are the 'B' fixtures. Placings are determined by points accumulated over all matches. Where two or more teams are tied on league points, the team with the greater difference of race points scored over race points conceded is placed higher. The top four teams qualify for the Championship play-offs. The semi-finals are single matches with the top two league positions having home advantage (1st vs 3rd and 2nd vs 4th). Winners from the semi-finals then meet in a two-legged Grand Final to decide the Elite League Championship winner.From 2008, promotion and relegation between the Elite League (EL) and Premier League
Speedway Premier League
The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division...
(PL) was introduced for the first time since 1991.. The team finishing last faces the Premier League play-off winner over two legs (one match at each track), with the aggregate winner taking the EL spot in the following season, and the losing team racing in the PL.
Team building
At the start of each season, teams are built up to maximum points limit. The combined Calculated Match AverageCalculated Match Average
Calculated Match Averages are calculated for every motorcycle speedway rider.The CMA is calculated from the following:\left \times4...
(CMA) of the seven riders declared in the team must not be higher than an agreed figure set at the British Speedway Promoters' Association
British Speedway Promoters' Association
The British Speedway Promoters Association organises the domestic motorcycle speedway competitions in the UK. They are also responsible for the promotion and running of the FIM meetings staged in Britain....
(BSPA) Annual General Meeting
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
.
2011 teams
| Team | Years Active | Team | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belle Vue Aces Belle Vue Aces The Belle Vue Aces are a British speedway team from Manchester in the north west of England.-Brief history:Racing first took place in 1928 at the Belle Vue greyhound stadium in Kirkmanshulme Lane before moving the following year to a specially built stadium nearby on Hyde Road. The club raced there... |
1997- | Lakeside Hammers Lakeside Hammers The Lakeside Hammers are a speedway team who race in the British Elite League. They were founded by promoter Wally Mawdsley and stock car promoter Chick Woodroffe... |
2004- |
| Birmingham Brummies Birmingham Brummies Birmingham Brummies are a British speedway team, who were reformed in 2006 and then accepted into the Premier League in 2007. The club race at Perry Barr Stadium .... |
2011- | Peterborough Panthers Peterborough Panthers The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006... |
1997, 1999- |
| Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... |
1997- | Poole Pirates Poole Pirates Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League... |
1997- |
| Eastbourne Eagles Eastbourne Eagles The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in... |
1997- | Swindon Robins Swindon Robins The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League.... |
1997-1998, 2004- |
| Kings Lynn Stars | 1997-2002, 2011- | Wolverhampton Wolves Wolverhampton Wolves The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van... |
1997- |
Former teams
| Team | Years Active | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Ipswich Witches Ipswich Witches The Ipswich Witches are a British speedway club based at Foxhall Stadium near Ipswich, Suffolk. Meetings are staged on most Thursdays from March until October, normally commencing at 7.30pm.... |
1997-2010 | Moved to Premier League Speedway Premier League The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division... . |
| Reading Bulldogs | 2006-2007 | Moved to Premier League Speedway Premier League The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division... . |
| Oxford Cheetahs Oxford Cheetahs The Oxford Cheetahs were a British Speedway team based in Oxford, England. From 1972 to 1975 they were known as Oxford Rebels, which was the name the team took to White City in 1976 as White City Rebels. The new Oxford team, in the National League, took back the name of Cheetahs... |
1998-2007* | Closure. *(Resigned halfway through 2007 season, results were then erased from season) |
| Hull Vikings Hull Vikings Hull Vikings, were a speedway team from Hull, England. The team began life as the 'Hull Angels', based at Hedon on the outskirts of Hull between 1947 and mid 1949. Speedway came back to Hull after a long gap and were known as the Vikings, racing at The Boulevard, the former ground of rugby league... |
1999 | Moved to Premier League Speedway Premier League The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division... . |
| Bradford Dukes Bradford Dukes The Bradford Dukes were a British motorcycle speedway team which operated from the Odsal Stadium in Bradford from 1986 until their closure in 1997.-History:... |
1997 | Closure. |
Champions
| Season | Champions | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 1997 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and governed by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:... |
Bradford Dukes Bradford Dukes The Bradford Dukes were a British motorcycle speedway team which operated from the Odsal Stadium in Bradford from 1986 until their closure in 1997.-History:... |
Eastbourne Eagles Eastbourne Eagles The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in... |
Swindon Robins Swindon Robins The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League.... |
| 1998 1998 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:... |
Ipswich Witches Ipswich Witches The Ipswich Witches are a British speedway club based at Foxhall Stadium near Ipswich, Suffolk. Meetings are staged on most Thursdays from March until October, normally commencing at 7.30pm.... |
Belle Vue Aces Belle Vue Aces The Belle Vue Aces are a British speedway team from Manchester in the north west of England.-Brief history:Racing first took place in 1928 at the Belle Vue greyhound stadium in Kirkmanshulme Lane before moving the following year to a specially built stadium nearby on Hyde Road. The club raced there... |
Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... |
| 1999 1999 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:... |
Peterborough Panthers Peterborough Panthers The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006... |
Poole Pirates Poole Pirates Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League... |
King's Lynn Knights King's Lynn Stars King's Lynn Stars are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Elite League. The nickname "Stars" comes from the defunct Norwich Stars team... |
| 2000 2000 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:... |
Eastbourne Eagles Eastbourne Eagles The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in... |
King's Lynn Knights King's Lynn Stars King's Lynn Stars are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Elite League. The nickname "Stars" comes from the defunct Norwich Stars team... |
Ipswich Witches Ipswich Witches The Ipswich Witches are a British speedway club based at Foxhall Stadium near Ipswich, Suffolk. Meetings are staged on most Thursdays from March until October, normally commencing at 7.30pm.... |
| 2001 2001 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Final table:... |
Oxford Cheetahs Oxford Cheetahs The Oxford Cheetahs were a British Speedway team based in Oxford, England. From 1972 to 1975 they were known as Oxford Rebels, which was the name the team took to White City in 1976 as White City Rebels. The new Oxford team, in the National League, took back the name of Cheetahs... |
Poole Pirates Poole Pirates Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League... |
Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... |
| 2002 2002 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:... |
Wolverhampton Wolves Wolverhampton Wolves The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van... |
Eastbourne Eagles Eastbourne Eagles The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in... |
Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... / Poole Pirates Poole Pirates Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League... |
| 2003 2003 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:... |
Poole Pirates Poole Pirates Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League... |
Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... |
Peterborough Panthers Peterborough Panthers The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006... / Oxford Cheetahs Oxford Cheetahs The Oxford Cheetahs were a British Speedway team based in Oxford, England. From 1972 to 1975 they were known as Oxford Rebels, which was the name the team took to White City in 1976 as White City Rebels. The new Oxford team, in the National League, took back the name of Cheetahs... |
| 2004 2004 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:... |
Poole Pirates Poole Pirates Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League... |
Wolverhampton Wolves Wolverhampton Wolves The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van... |
Ipswich Witches Ipswich Witches The Ipswich Witches are a British speedway club based at Foxhall Stadium near Ipswich, Suffolk. Meetings are staged on most Thursdays from March until October, normally commencing at 7.30pm.... / Eastbourne Eagles Eastbourne Eagles The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in... |
| 2005 2005 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:... |
Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... |
Belle Vue Aces Belle Vue Aces The Belle Vue Aces are a British speedway team from Manchester in the north west of England.-Brief history:Racing first took place in 1928 at the Belle Vue greyhound stadium in Kirkmanshulme Lane before moving the following year to a specially built stadium nearby on Hyde Road. The club raced there... |
Peterborough Panthers Peterborough Panthers The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006... / Eastbourne Eagles Eastbourne Eagles The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in... |
| 2006 2006 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:... |
Peterborough Panthers Peterborough Panthers The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006... |
Reading Racers Reading Racers Reading Racers were a British motorcycle speedway team. Formed in 1968, they won four British League titles during their history... |
Swindon Robins Swindon Robins The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League.... / Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... |
| 2007 2007 Speedway Elite League The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:... |
Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... |
Swindon Robins Swindon Robins The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League.... |
Poole Pirates Poole Pirates Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League... / Peterborough Panthers Peterborough Panthers The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006... |
| 2008 2008 Speedway Elite League The 2008 Elite League is the 12th since its establishment in 1997. The first fixtures of the season took place on 29 March and the season ended on 27 October... |
Poole Pirates Poole Pirates Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League... |
Lakeside Hammers Lakeside Hammers The Lakeside Hammers are a speedway team who race in the British Elite League. They were founded by promoter Wally Mawdsley and stock car promoter Chick Woodroffe... |
Swindon Robins Swindon Robins The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League.... / Ipswich Witches Ipswich Witches The Ipswich Witches are a British speedway club based at Foxhall Stadium near Ipswich, Suffolk. Meetings are staged on most Thursdays from March until October, normally commencing at 7.30pm.... |
| 2009 2009 Speedway Elite League The 2009 Elite League is the 13th since its establishment in 1997. The first fixtures of the season took place on 30 March and the season ended on 12 October... |
Wolverhampton Wolves Wolverhampton Wolves The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van... |
Swindon Robins Swindon Robins The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League.... |
Lakeside Hammers Lakeside Hammers The Lakeside Hammers are a speedway team who race in the British Elite League. They were founded by promoter Wally Mawdsley and stock car promoter Chick Woodroffe... / Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... |
| 2010 2010 Speedway Elite League The 2010 Elite League is the 14th since its establishment in 1997. The first fixtures of the season took place on 29 March and the season ended on 27 October... |
Coventry Bees Coventry Bees The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane... |
Poole Pirates Poole Pirates Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League... |
Wolverhampton Wolves Wolverhampton Wolves The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van... / Peterborough Panthers Peterborough Panthers The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006... |
| 2011 2011 Speedway Elite League The 2011 Elite League Season is an upcoming speedway season. The Coventry Bees are the defending champions from the 2010 season.-New Entries:Throughout the 2010 season, it was rumoured that the Ipswich Witches would prefer to compete in the Premier League from 2011 onwards... |
Poole Pirates Poole Pirates Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League... |
Eastbourne Eagles Eastbourne Eagles The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in... |
Kings Lynn Stars / Lakeside Hammers Lakeside Hammers The Lakeside Hammers are a speedway team who race in the British Elite League. They were founded by promoter Wally Mawdsley and stock car promoter Chick Woodroffe... |