THE introduction of promotion and relegation and two clubs joining the top-flight have emerged as the two main headlines from British Speedway's annual general meeting.

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.

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-based club.

The top-two leagues have also been 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.

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.

BSPA chairman Keith Chapman admitted there was an element of cost cutting about the changes, but added: “This was probably the best AGM I’ve been to in all my time in the sport.

“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.”

Vice Chairman Rob Godfrey added: “I believe we have achieved a total restructuring of British Speedway.

“We have created leagues which are sustainable and have a structure with promotion and relegation and the same rules.

“Now we have rebranded the sport, it’s time to deliver.”

SGB PREMIERSHIP 2017: Belle Vue, Coventry, King’s Lynn, Leicester, Poole, Rye House, Somerset, Swindon, Wolverhampton.

SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ipswich, Newcastle, Peterborough, Redcar, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Workington* (*subject to confirmation).

Two matches home, two away, top four into play-offs.

PREMIERSHIP KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW: Preliminary round: Somerset v Leicester. First Round: Rye House v Swindon, King’s Lynn v Leicester or Somerset, Wolverhampton v Coventry, Belle Vue v Poole.