BRITISH SPEEDWAY
18 November 2004 - British Speedway Promoters Association

NEW British Speedway Chairman Pete Toogood has described the sport''s AGM as ''the best I''ve ever attended.''

The Somerset boss has revealed how there was a feeling of unity amongst promoters despite reports of conflict between the top two divisions in the build-up to the talks in London.

Toogood has been handed the hot seat as Wolverhampton''s Chris Van Straaten stood down after six-years in the job. Van Straaten will, however, support Toogood as his vice-chairman with Sheffield''s Neil Machin retaining his place on the management committee. They are joined by newcomers to the five-man group Matt Ford of Poole and the Isle of Wight co-chief Dave Pavitt.

The Elite League have adopted a points limit of 42.5 for the 10 clubs to build their teams with averages which don''t include bonus points. The Premier League, meanwhile, retains a 45-point limit including bonus. It has been confirmed that the Elite League play-offs will features the top four next season - not five as in 2004 - with the semi-finals taking place from September 12 with 1v4 and 2v3.

Continuity is a key word for the Premier League with all last season''s competitions retained and the same 15 clubs will do battle. Both leagues have agreed that the tactical ride - when a rider scores double points - can only be used when a team is NINE or more points behind, a point more than last season. And the tactical substitute rule still applies where a rider starts off a 15-metre handicap for double points when a team is eight-points or more behind.

Toogood said: ''I can honestly say that everyone has left the AGM looking forward to the new season in March with great enthusiasm. ''It was the best AGM I have ever attended with a lot of positive feedback and constructive debate with both of the two leagues, Elite and Premier, recognising where problems are within the sport. ''There was a tremendous feeling of unity amongst the clubs and we are all determined to take the sport forward from here.''

Vice-Chairman Van Straaten said: ''I''m sure Pete will do an excellent job as chairman and the sport is heading in a certain direction which means it ''s good for me to be around for at least another year to oversee certain things. ''I''ll give Pete all the support I can and I was particularly pleased with the feeling of harmony amongst the members of the BSPA during this AGM. ''I believe the decisions made are for the good of the sport in both leagues and we can all now get down to planning our teams and signing riders for next season.''

2004 BRITISH SPEEDWAY AGM SUMMARY

ELITE LEAGUE: Arena Essex, Belle Vue, Coventry, Eastbourne, Ipswich, Oxford, Peterborough, Poole, Swindon, Wolverhampton. PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Hull, Isle of Wight, King''s Lynn, Newcastle, Newport, Reading, Rye House, Sheffield, Somerset, Stoke, Workington.

TACTICAL RIDE can be used when a team is NINE points or more behind in BOTH leagues.

TACTICAL SUBSTITUTE where a rider starts off a 15-metre handicap can be used when a team is EIGHT or more points behind in BOTH leagues.

ELITE LEAGUE points limit 42.5 without bonus points. PREMIER LEAGUE points limit 45 including bonus.

RIDERS who fail to meet the two-minute warning to start a race can now start off a 15-metre handicap as with a starting offence. DATES AND VENUES for Elite League Pairs, Elite League Riders'' Championship, Championship of Great Britain Final, World Under-21 qualifier, British Under-21 Final to be confirmed after consulting the international fixture list.

ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: 1v4, 2v3 beginning on September 12. ELITE LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP: Preliminary Round: Ipswich v Wolverhampton, Poole v Swindon.
QUARTER-FINALS: Eastbourne v Peterborough, Ipswich or Wolves v Arena Essex, Oxford v Belle Vue, Coventry v Poole or Swindon. ANY teams which fail to meet the cut-off date for each round of the KOC will be fined £5,000. CRAVEN SHIELD: Teams 5-10 start competition in September to be joined by top 4 in October. PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS'' CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, September 18.* PREMIER LEAGUE FOUR TEAM TOURNAMENT: Workington, August 20.* PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Glasgow, June 26.* CHAMPIONS CHASE: King''s Lynn, July.* *ALL DATES subject to confirmation. PREMIER LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP: Newcastle v King''s Lynn, Hull v Glasgow, Edinburgh v Rye House, Newport v Reading, Workington v Somerset, Sheffield v Isle of Wight, Stoke v Berwick. NEIL MIDDLEDITCH remains Great Britain manager. PETER OAKES remains Great Britain Under-21 manager.

www.british-speedway.co.uk

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