Speedway Premier League Riders Championship
Encyclopedia
The Premier League Riders Championship is a contest between the top riders (or two riders) with the highest average points total from each club competing in the Speedway Premier League
in the UK. The championship was inaugurated in 1968 when it was known as the British League Division Two Riders Championship. The competition was held at Hackney between 1968-1971, then it was moved to Wimbledon and held their between 1972-1984. The final at Wimbledon was postponed and was then restaged at Peterborough speedway, which has been its home ever since.
The competition was known as the British League Division Two Riders Championship between 1968-1974. In 1975 & 1976 it was known as the New National League Riders Championship. Then from 1977-1991 as the National League Riders championship.
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...
in the UK. The championship was inaugurated in 1968 when it was known as the British League Division Two Riders Championship. The competition was held at Hackney between 1968-1971, then it was moved to Wimbledon and held their between 1972-1984. The final at Wimbledon was postponed and was then restaged at Peterborough speedway, which has been its home ever since.
The competition was known as the British League Division Two Riders Championship between 1968-1974. In 1975 & 1976 it was known as the New National League Riders Championship. Then from 1977-1991 as the National League Riders championship.
Winners
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 1968 | Graham Plant Graham Plant Graham Plant is an English former motorcycle speedway rider. He won the Second Division Riders Championship in 1968 and went to a career in the British League with Leicester Lions, Newport Wasps, and Halifax Dukes.-Biography:... |
Middlesbrough Teessiders Middlesbrough Bears The Middlesbrough Bears were a British speedway team which operated under various names from 1939 until their closure in 1996.-Brief history:The team was initially nicknamed the Bears in 1939... |
| 1969 | Geoff Ambrose | Crayford Highwaymen Crayford Kestrels The Crayford Kestrels were a Speedway team which operated from 1968 until their closure in 1983 when they transferred the promotion to Hackney.... |
| 1970 | Dave Jessup Dave Jessup David John Jessup is a former speedway rider who finished runner-up the Speedway World Championship in 1980 to fellow countryman Michael Lee. The same season he won the World Pairs Championship with Peter Collins and became British Speedway Champion after finishing runner-up in 1978 and third in... |
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... |
| 1971 | John Louis | 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.... |
| 1972 | Phil Crump Phil Crump Philip John "Phil" Crump in Mildura, Victoria is a retired Australian Motorcycle speedway rider who attained 3rd place in the 1976 World Championship... |
Crewe Kings Crewe Kings The Crewe Kings were a Speedway team which operated from 1969 until their closure in 1975.-Brief history:The team first competed in 1969 promoted by Maury Littlechild for Allied Presentations who also promoted the Rayleigh Rockets, the Sunderland Stars and the Reading Racers. Littlechild died on... |
| 1973 | Arthur Price | Boston Barracudas Boston Barracudas The Boston Barracudas are a speedway team in the British Conference League. Originally founded mid-season in 1970 when the Kings Lynn Starlets changed name, they competed in the National League until 1987. In 2000 the club was reformed, entering the Conference League.... |
| 1974 | Carl Glover | Boston Barracudas Boston Barracudas The Boston Barracudas are a speedway team in the British Conference League. Originally founded mid-season in 1970 when the Kings Lynn Starlets changed name, they competed in the National League until 1987. In 2000 the club was reformed, entering the Conference League.... |
| 1975 | Laurie Etheridge | Crayford Kestrels Crayford Kestrels The Crayford Kestrels were a Speedway team which operated from 1968 until their closure in 1983 when they transferred the promotion to Hackney.... |
| 1976 | Joe Owen | Newcastle Diamonds Newcastle Diamonds Newcastle Diamonds are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Premier League. The club has a reputation of importing young foreign talent and have given starts to the British careers of six times World Champion Ivan Mauger, three times World Champion Ole Olsen, 1974 World Champion... |
| 1977 | Colin Richardson Colin Richardson (speedway rider) Colin Eric Richardson is a former motorcycle speedway rider who won the National League Riders Championship in 1977. He represented England at full and Under-21 levels... |
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... |
| 1978 | Steve Koppe | Canterbury Crusaders Canterbury Crusaders (speedway) The Canterbury Crusaders were a motorcycle speedway team who operated from the Kingsmead Stadium, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury.In 1977 the promoters Johnnie Hoskins and Wally Mawdsley had to go to court in order to keep the track open after complaints of noise from local residents. However, the team... |
| 1979 | Ian Gledhill | Stoke Potters Stoke Potters The Stoke Potters are a British Speedway team currently competing in the National League. The team races at Loomer Road Stadium.In the late 1940s, early 1950s and the early 1960s, the club was based in Sun Street in Hanley, and were originally known as the Hanley Potters when crowds of over 12,000... |
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 1980 | Wayne Brown | Berwick Bandits Berwick Bandits The Berwick Bandits are a speedway team based at Shielfield Park, Berwick upon Tweed, the club competes in the British Premier League.-Brief history:... |
| 1981 | Mike Ferreira | Canterbury Crusaders Canterbury Crusaders (speedway) The Canterbury Crusaders were a motorcycle speedway team who operated from the Kingsmead Stadium, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury.In 1977 the promoters Johnnie Hoskins and Wally Mawdsley had to go to court in order to keep the track open after complaints of noise from local residents. However, the team... |
| 1982 | Joe Owen | Newcastle Diamonds Newcastle Diamonds Newcastle Diamonds are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Premier League. The club has a reputation of importing young foreign talent and have given starts to the British careers of six times World Champion Ivan Mauger, three times World Champion Ole Olsen, 1974 World Champion... |
| 1983 | Steve McDermott | Berwick Bandits Berwick Bandits The Berwick Bandits are a speedway team based at Shielfield Park, Berwick upon Tweed, the club competes in the British Premier League.-Brief history:... |
| 1984 | Ian Barney | 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... |
| 1985 | Neil Middleditch Neil Middleditch Neil Middleditch is a former Speedway rider and the team manager of the Poole Pirates. His father Ken was a former rider with the Poole Pirates... |
Arena Essex Hammers |
| 1986 | Paul Thorp Paul Thorp Paul Thorp is a motorcycle speedway rider won the World Team Cup with England in 1989.-World final appearances:* 1991 - Göteborg, Ullevi - 6th - 10pts-References:... |
Stoke Potters Stoke Potters The Stoke Potters are a British Speedway team currently competing in the National League. The team races at Loomer Road Stadium.In the late 1940s, early 1950s and the early 1960s, the club was based in Sun Street in Hanley, and were originally known as the Hanley Potters when crowds of over 12,000... |
| 1987 | Andrew Silver | Arena Essex Hammers |
| 1988 | Troy Butler | Milton Keynes Knights Milton Keynes Knights The Milton Keynes Knights were a Speedway team which operated under various names from 1978 until their closure in 1992. The team were based at the Groveway Greyhound Stadium until 1988. In 1989 they moved to the new stadium at Elfield Park... |
| 1989 | Mark Loram Mark Loram Mark Roysten Gregory Loram is a former British motorcycle speedway rider who started his career with the Hackney Kestrels in 1987. He is a former World Speedway Champion. In March 2007 Loram broke his thigh and dislocated his arm whilst riding in the opening fixture of the British 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.... |
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 1990 | Andy Grahame Andy Grahame Andrew George Grahame is a former Speedway rider.He won the British Speedway Championship in 1982... |
Wimbledon Dons Wimbledon Dons The Wimbledon Dons were a professional motorcycle speedway team who operated from the Wimbledon Stadium, Plough Lane in London.The track opened in 1928 and the Dons operated there from 1929 until 1991. They were closed during the Second World War but upon their re-opening in 1946 there were 42,000... |
| 1991 | Jan Stæchmann Jan Stæchmann Jan Stæchmann is a professional motorcycle speedway rider and the manager of the Danish national team. He took over as manager of Swindon Robins in July... |
Long Eaton Invaders Long Eaton Invaders Several motorcycle speedway teams operated from 1950 until 1997 in Long Eaton, England. Teams have raced at the Station Road Stadium as the Long Eaton Archers, Long Eaton Rangers, Nottingham Outlaws and the Long Eaton Invaders... |
| 1992 | Robert Nagy Róbert Nagy (speedway rider) Róbert Nagy is a Hungarian motorcycle speedway rider who is a member of Hungary's national team.- See also :* Hungary national speedway team... |
Glasgow Tigers Glasgow Tigers (speedway) The Glasgow Tigers are a motorcycle speedway team from Glasgow, Scotland. Formed in 1928, the club adopted the Tigers nickname in 1946 and compete in the British Premier League... |
| 1993 | Gary Allan | 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.... |
| 1994 | Paul Bentley | Middlesbrough Bears Middlesbrough Bears The Middlesbrough Bears were a British speedway team which operated under various names from 1939 until their closure in 1996.-Brief history:The team was initially nicknamed the Bears in 1939... |
| Championship not held 1995-1996 | ||
| 1997 | Peter Carr | Edinburgh Monarchs Edinburgh Monarchs The Edinburgh Monarchs are a Scottish Speedway team, currently based in Armadale. They compete in the Speedway Premier League, racing on Friday nights during the Speedway season. The club is run by a Board of Directors, chaired by Alex Harkess. The team manager is Alan "Doc" Bridgett... |
| 1998 | Glenn Cunningham Glenn Cunningham (speedway rider) Glenn Cunningham in Bristol is a former International Speedway rider who rode for the Stoke Potters in the British Premier 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... |
| 1999 | Sean Wilson Sean Wilson (speedway rider) Sean Wilson is a former international speedway rider who has ridden for Great Britain at test level.-Career summary:... |
Sheffield Tigers Sheffield Tigers The Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers are a speedway team based in Sheffield, England. They currently race in the British Premier League and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium which is the fastest track in British speedway... |
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 2000 | Carl Stonehewer Carl Stonehewer Carl Bryan 'Stoney' Stonehewer is a former motorcycle speedway rider.-Speedway Grand Prix:* The first UK Premier League rider to qualify for the Speedway Grand Prix.**Grand Prix Series Rider 2000, 2001, 2002... |
Workington Comets Workington Comets Workington Comets is a speedway club based in Workington, Cumbria. Their track is at Derwent Park Stadium, which they share with Workington Town Rugby League Football Club.They compete in the Premier League... |
| 2001 | Carl Stonehewer Carl Stonehewer Carl Bryan 'Stoney' Stonehewer is a former motorcycle speedway rider.-Speedway Grand Prix:* The first UK Premier League rider to qualify for the Speedway Grand Prix.**Grand Prix Series Rider 2000, 2001, 2002... |
Workington Comets Workington Comets Workington Comets is a speedway club based in Workington, Cumbria. Their track is at Derwent Park Stadium, which they share with Workington Town Rugby League Football Club.They compete in the Premier League... |
| 2002 | Adam Shields Adam Shields Adam Shields, born in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales), is an Australian international Speedway rider who has ridden for multiple teams in the British Speedway League. He first rode in this country for Premier League team the Isle of Wight in 2002, before stepping up to the Elite League for... |
Isle of Wight Islanders Isle of Wight Islanders The Isle of Wight Wightlink Islanders are a British Speedway team. They currently compete in the National League and ride at the Smallbrook Stadium.... |
| 2003 | Sean Wilson Sean Wilson (speedway rider) Sean Wilson is a former international speedway rider who has ridden for Great Britain at test level.-Career summary:... |
Sheffield Tigers Sheffield Tigers The Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers are a speedway team based in Sheffield, England. They currently race in the British Premier League and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium which is the fastest track in British speedway... |
| 2004 | Andre Compton Andre Compton Andre Compton is a Speedway rider. He is the older brother of Redcar Bears' Benji Compton.-Career summary:... |
Sheffield Tigers Sheffield Tigers The Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers are a speedway team based in Sheffield, England. They currently race in the British Premier League and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium which is the fastest track in British speedway... |
| 2005 | Sean Wilson Sean Wilson (speedway rider) Sean Wilson is a former international speedway rider who has ridden for Great Britain at test level.-Career summary:... |
Sheffield Tigers Sheffield Tigers The Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers are a speedway team based in Sheffield, England. They currently race in the British Premier League and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium which is the fastest track in British speedway... |
| 2006 | Magnus Zetterström Magnus Zetterström Hans Magnus Zetterström is an international motorcycle speedway rider who rides for the Poole Pirates in the British Elite League. Zetterström became European Champion in 2002 and won the Premier League Riders Championship in 2006... |
Somerset Rebels Somerset Rebels The Somerset Rebels are a Speedway team from Highbridge, Somerset. Founded in 2000, the club competes in the British Premier League. Their home track is located at the Oak Tree Arena.-History:... |
| 2007 | James Wright James Wright (speedway rider) James Wright , is a speedway rider in the United Kingdom, riding with the Belle Vue Aces in the Elite League. James is also a squad member for Unia Tarnow in Liga I in Poland along with his Belle Vue Aces team mates Steve Boxall and Patrick Hougaard.His Grandfather, Jim Yacoby rode for the Belle... |
Workington Comets Workington Comets Workington Comets is a speedway club based in Workington, Cumbria. Their track is at Derwent Park Stadium, which they share with Workington Town Rugby League Football Club.They compete in the Premier League... |
| 2008 | Tai Woffinden Tai Woffinden Tai Woffinden is a speedway rider currently riding for the Wolverhampton Wolves in the British Elite League, and is the son of former speedway rider Rob Woffinden.- Career :... |
Rye House Rockets Rye House Rockets The Rye House Rockets are a Speedway team based at Rye House Stadium, Hoddesdon, England. They currently compete in the British Premier League.The club is promoted by Len Silver who previously ran the Hackney Hawks promotion at Hackney Wick Stadium.... |
| 2009 | Ricky Ashworth Ricky Ashworth Richard David Ashworth is a professional speedway rider for Sheffield Tigers who has represented Great Britain.... |
Sheffield Tigers Sheffield Tigers The Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers are a speedway team based in Sheffield, England. They currently race in the British Premier League and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium which is the fastest track in British speedway... |
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 2010 | Kenni Larsen | Newcastle Diamonds Newcastle Diamonds Newcastle Diamonds are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Premier League. The club has a reputation of importing young foreign talent and have given starts to the British careers of six times World Champion Ivan Mauger, three times World Champion Ole Olsen, 1974 World Champion... |
| 2011 | Sam Masters Sam Masters Samuel Peter "Sam" Masters is an Australian motorcycle speedway rider who won the Premier League Riders Championship in 2011.-Biography:... |
Somerset Rebels Somerset Rebels The Somerset Rebels are a Speedway team from Highbridge, Somerset. Founded in 2000, the club competes in the British Premier League. Their home track is located at the Oak Tree Arena.-History:... |
See also
- Speedway in the United KingdomSpeedway in the United KingdomThe sport of Speedway in the United Kingdom has changed little since the first meetings in the 1920s. With three domestic leagues, its own Speedway Grand Prix and an annual entry into the Speedway World Cup it remains one of the popular motorsports in the country.-History:The first meeting in the...
- Elite League Riders' Championship
- Conference League Riders' Championship