The British Speedway Promoters' Association held their annual event overseas and announced a string of changes to the sport, but the one bit of news Gladiators fans will want to know is that they will have a team to cheer once again next summer.
Plymouth will be one of nine teams racing in the Championship next season, along with Berwick Bandits, Edinburgh Monarchs, Glasgow Tigers, Oxford Cheetahs, Poole Pirates, Redcar Bears, Scunthorpe Scorpions and Workington Comets, who return for the first time since 2018, following the success of their National Development League side.
The points limit has been set at 38 (for seven riders) and the KO Cup and BSN Series competitions will feature once more, with draws and group structures to follow.
The Championship play-off format has been revised and will now match the Premiership, with the top four clubs qualifying for the semifinals, rather than the previous group format involving the top six.
The new structure is designed to focus on bringing more young riders into the sport, which is why the points limit has been set so low. This will involve each club either competing in the National Development League, or staging events in a new National Individual series; or taking part in a youth programme to be run in second halves following senior meetings, and it is now compulsory for each club to take one of those options.
Six clubs have already stated their intention to take part in the NDL next season, and further details will be available in the coming weeks.
This story is from the November 20, 2023 edition of The Herald.
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This story is from the November 20, 2023 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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