ROBINS co-owner Mike Bowden says the introduction of promotion and relegation to the top of British Speedway was a necessary move - even though it would cause him unwanted anxiety if Swindon were involved.

The British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) have launched a revamp of the sport in this country, described as the biggest in modern history, following the three-day summit this week.

One of the main changes agreed was the top two leagues being rebranded Speedway Great Britain (SGB) Premiership and SGB Championship, with promotion and relegation introduced as the winners of the Championship play-offs will race the Premiership’s bottom club to decide who rides in the 2018 top-flight.

Bowdon believes it is a positive step as bosses try to stimulate further interest in the sport, which has been beset by withdrawals and snubs from the world’s top riders.

“Promotion and relegation keeps alive those end-of-season fixtures that previously would have meant little to clubs and supporters,’’ he told the Swindon Advertiser.

“There is no denying that a two-legged play-off for promotion and relegation will be very tense, but that is what competitive sport is all about.’’ With Lakeside Hammers having already pulled out, Premier League champions Somerset Rebels and north of London side Rye House Rockets will join the top division for the 2017 campaign, while Leicester Lions and Belle Vue Aces will remain - the latter despite the BSPA revoking their speedway promotion licence after concerns over the financial management of the Manchester club.

The same rules and race format from last year’s Premier League programme will apply to both leagues, meaning tactical rides are available when 10 points down from heats five to 12.

The injury rider-replacement rule will also now be in place in both leagues.

Riders will have one average, based on Premier League figures, for team building purposes with a 50-point limit for the top division and 40 for the Championship.

Riders who only raced in the Elite League last season will see their average increased by 1.4 to bring them in line with Premier League averages.

No team changes will be permitted in either league after July 31.

The 2017 campaign will also launch with Knockout Cup meetings at both levels, with Swindon Robins drawn to face Rye House.

Bowden, who was attending his first British Speedway summit this week, added: “We have brought together the racing format and rules for the two leagues which means supporters don’t have to get their heads around different sets of rules in each league and it’s something that works for everyone.’’ BSPA chairman Keith Chapman added: “There was a genuine desire to try and change things and secure the future of league racing in the UK. I certainly think we have done that and I’m very excited about the months ahead.

“Every promoter acknowledged something had to be done after some very difficult times for the sport – now we’ve done something and I’m looking forward to a bright future.”