History Of Team Strengths

[Khabiboulin]

Could some of the more "experienced" members of the site kindly set me straight on how team strengths have historically been regulated (or not regulated) in the British Leagues?

 

I've only ever known the current system of a points limit to riders' combined averages (or grades), but when did this start? I gather too there was formerly a similar system, controlled centrally by the BSPA (?) to redistribute certain riders who had made their teams too strong (or something like that) but I've forgotten what this was called.

 

When did any form of regulation begin, and were teams previously able to track anyone they liked? In a similar vein, when did teams first have to declare a line-up for the season? And when did the guest system first get used? Did teams have to make do with bringing juniors in previously?

 

A lot of questions, I know, but the answers wold be much appreciated to help understand the history of these more intricate and awkward rules of our great sport.

 

Cheers

[cpbyles]

Guest riders were introduced in 1955 and a new 16 Heat 6 man formula devised to stem the fall of gates at Speedway. However, the demise continued with the loss of Harringay and a shortened Wembley season.

[Grachan]

I've only ever known the current system of a points limit to riders' combined averages (or grades), but when did this start? I gather too there was formerly a similar system, controlled centrally by the BSPA (?) to redistribute certain riders who had made their teams too strong (or something like that) but I've forgotten what this was called.

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That was called 'Rider Control', which was definitely around in the 1970s. I can't remember the exact time of the introduction on averages to define team strengths, but I'd guess it was late 70s/early 80s. The limit was much higher then, though. I think it used to be around the 50 point mark.

[cpbyles]

 

I've only ever known the current system of a points limit to riders' combined averages (or grades), but when did this start? I gather too there was formerly a similar system, controlled centrally by the BSPA (?) to redistribute certain riders who had made their teams too strong (or something like that) but I've forgotten what this was called.

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That was called 'Rider Control', which was definitely around in the 1970s. I can't remember the exact time of the introduction on averages to define team strengths, but I'd guess it was late 70s/early 80s. The limit was much higher then, though. I think it used to be around the 50 point mark.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think you will find that Rider Control actually began as far back as 1965 following

the rebellious National / Provincial Leagues of 1964. In 1965 the British League was formed and Rider Control was implemented, very few riders liking the idea

with some refusing to move and found themselves not being allowed to ride until they did. You could say that this in itself was the begining of the points limiatations, though when this was officially introduced I'm not yet sure.

[Khabiboulin]

Thanks for the info, guys. So how did Rider Control work then?