The Golden Double Tactical Substitution was one of the most controversial changes introduced for 1999. The rule is actually not that new, having been on the books for the past two years but only for the Speedway Star Cup in the Elite League. For reasons which will be explained later, it was rarely used in 1997 or 1998. Now it has been extended to all matches except for, curiously enough, Speedway Star Cup and the Premier League Cup.

The basis of the rule is that where a side are six points behind and entitled to use a tactical substitution, they can now once instead use a Golden Double Tactical Substition (GDTS). The GDTS rider starts on gate four on the back grid, 15 metres behind the tapes and any points gained are by that rider are doubled.

In 1997 and 1998, the rule was seldom used in the Elite League Cup. With the six rider heat format in force, no-one could really afford to give away 15 metres and expect to win against the standard of riders present. The 1997 format was designed so that that there was a heat leader in every race prior to the nominated heats. The 1998 Elite League heat format also ensured that a heat leader would contest the majority of races.

It is all very different in 1999. The Elite League this year is using the same heat format as the Premier League in 1998. This included three heats (2, 8, and 14) without heat leaders scheduled to ride. Most team in both leagues were forced to destrengthen to comply with lower points limits. The usually ment weakening the bottom end while maintaining the heat leaders. Thus reserves were promoted to second string and riders from the league below drafted in at reserve. Also the rules regarding tactical substitutions were changed to permit them when six points behind rather than when eight points behind as used from 1995 to 1998.

All this led to a situation where heat 8 and heat 14 were highly vulnerable to a GDTS. So far the rule has been used over 20 times in the Premier League with Workington (7 times) and Stoke (6 times) being the most enthusiastic. Elite League clubs have also made extensive use of the rule with Poole the main benificiaries from three attempts out of 13. This compares with two or three uses of the rule in the whole of 1998.

The Edinburgh Promotion took the view that the whole idea was not justified but that Monarchs would use the rule when appropriate. It was also predicted that many Promotions who had voted the scheme through would soon be squealing about the consequences. Given the top end strength of the 1999 Edinburgh team, it was likely to be of benefit to Monarchs on balance.

The GDTS has been used sparingly in Monarchs' matches so far. It is likely that with Monarchs having the likes of Stewart McDonald, Ross Brady and Blair Scott in heats 8 and 14 has had a deterent effect on the opposition. Berwick used it in heat 14 in a Premier National Trophy match at Shielfield. They acheived an 8-1 after Ross Brady was two minuted but the match was already lost as far as Berwick were concerned by then. Monarchs used it earlier at Newcastle in a Premier National Trophy match but Kevin Little was unable to overhaul home guest Andre Compton. Monarchs did use it to effect against Arena Essex turning a six-point deficit into a one-point lead in heat 8. The points gained proved to be Monarchs' winning margin in a 48-45 triumph.

Opinions are mixed! If you talk to an Arena Essex supporter or a Sheffield follower the outcome will probably be unprintable. By contrast, supporters of Stoke and Workington probably think that it is great. It certainly can liven up a meeting for a team trailing by big margin to pull seven points back in one heat.

The opponents of the GDTS often cite that it is unfair for one team to painstakingly build up a six-point lead only for it to be overturned in a single heat. This will be especially galling for a team six points up going into heat 14 only to find themselves one point behind with only the final heat to pull it back.

The real problem is that it can benefit a team to be six behind especially going into heat 8 or heat 14. This could lead to heats being 'thrown' for tactical reasons to ensure a team are 6 behind rather than 4 behind.

Many would argue that the rule should be scrapped because it distorts results and turns speedway into a "It's a Knockout" style farce. This is unlikely at least until the end of the season. A compromise solution might be to raise the margin from six points to eight points before a Golden Double could be invoked. This would prevent a team from overturning a lead in one heat. This would not prevent a team with a strong top-two from overcoming a 14 point margin in heats 13, 14 and 15 using the same two riders to win by one point. However, most of the objections to the GDTS can be made about ordinary tactical substitutions.

This debate will no doubt go on for some time. At least the Premier League has been spared some of the other harebrained schemes such as the dreaded six-lap final heat!