BRITISH speedway’s top two leagues have agreed set race days in a bid to cut out fixture clashes and allow greater rider availability.

It means for the first time, the SGB Premiership will only run on Mondays and Wednesdays – but there is also consideration for Swindon for a number of protected Thursdays due to stadium commitments.

The Championship will stage meetings on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

It is a move which has been discussed over many weeks but was finally approved at the British Speedway Promoters’ Association AGM over the weekend.

Promoters have also listened to fans’ feedback and have scrapped the tactical ride for double points and rolled back the years by bringing back the traditional tactical substitute when a team is six or more points behind. This applies between heats five and 14, excluding heat eight.

British Speedway chairman Keith Chapman said: “Both Rob Godfrey (vice-chairman) and myself would like to thank all promoters for delivering positive outcomes from the AGM.

“All promoters left the meeting with great enthusiasm towards the 2018 season.”

BRITISH SPEEDWAY AGM SUMMARY

  • Premiership and Championship team points average increased to 42.5 with the Premiership permitted one rider of an average of 8.00 or more. Championship has no restrictions.
  • Lakeside will be joining the Championship with all other teams remaining in their current leagues.
  • Knockout Cup first round draws for both leagues on a regionalised basis - Premiership: Leicester v King’s Lynn, Somerset v Poole, Belle Vue v Wolverhampton, Swindon v Rye House.
  • Tactical subs - black and white double points replaced with tactical substitution permitted in heats five to 14 (excluding heat eight) when a team is six or more points behind. There will be no double points.
  • There will be no promotion or relegation between the two leagues but the top four from each league will compete in their own league play-offs.
  • A number of working groups have been established from within the association to further develop speedway for the medium and long term.
  • BSPA has a strong proposal for the SCB that will significantly reduce false starts with further details being released after consultation with the SCB.
  • Alun Rossiter and Neil Vatcher appointed Team GB manager and Team GB Unde-21 manager, respectively, for the next 12 months.