The Premier League is back in business for 2001 with the same basic structure as recent years following deliberations at the Annual Meeting of the British Speedway Promoters Association at Coventry this weekend.
The crackpot scheme to split the Premier League into two smaller league being touted by Belle View a few weeks back has gone no further. There has been no movement between the leagues. There were suggestions that Somerset Rebels may move up to the Premier League and that the Isle of Wight would drop down to the Conference. As it worked out every team stayed put although doubts remain about the future of Belle Vue.
The competing teams in the Premier League will comprise the existing fourteen Premier League sides plus a possible new entrant from Cornwall. This team is intending to race at the Clay Country Moto Park, home of Conference League St. Austell Gull. There have been efforts over the past year by a consortium to create a new Cornish team, the Trelawny Tigers. Since the new track will not be ready for next year, the new team are in discussions with a view to running at St. Austell in the meantime.
The points limit for the Premier League will remain at 45 points despite rumblings from certain quarters to reduce this to 43 or even to 41. The agreement to hold the limit at the 'natural' 45 points has held. This will now clear the way for Monarchs to complete team building.
Further details will be posted as they become available.