Birmingham's entry into the 2007 Premier League has been officially confirmed at the British Speedway promoters' annual meeting.
The Brummies will compete in a 15-team division which contains all of the clubs who took part this year, while the Elite League remains unchanged in make-up.
The main talk prior to the meeting had concerned the sport's controversial tactical ride rule, which allows riders in trailing teams to score double points when nominated by their manager.
However, the usage of this regulation has been cut to just once per meeting (from twice), and teams now need to be ten points behind (rather than nine) to call on the facility.
The rule whereby a rider can score double by starting from a 15-metre handicap when eight points down remains in place, again with one use of the facility per meeting available.
BSPA Chairman Pete Toogood said: "By keeping one tactical ride available, it means most riders will still have their four programmed rides in a meeting and this allows them to progress with age. This encourages riders to move up the speedway ladder through the three leagues which is important."
As expected, the Elite League team building points limit was set at 42.50 (without bonus points) whilst at Premier League level the limit is 40, and additionally in the PL teams must also include two British riders who have progressed through the Conference League system at reserve.
The Elite League play-off format remains unchanged, with the top four teams contesting the end-of-season event, the top two having home advantage in one-legged semi-finals. In the Premier League, the top four will be involved (rather than the top eight, as in 2006) but the matches will be over two legs.
The end-of-season competitions are also set to be modified, with the Elite League Craven Shield likely to feature a fifth rider in every race with a handicap format. The Premier League Young Shield will be contested by clubs finishing fifth to 12th in the regular standings — and Birmingham's season will start with a Premier Trophy campaign for which they will be included in the Midlands group.
There are a couple of changes to the race format in meetings, with the top two riders in a team now to be declared at No 1 and No 3 in the line-up (rather than No 1 and No 5). And heat one will now see the No 1 riders start from the outside gates in order to give 'second strings' a better chance of success.
Coventry co-promoter Colin Pratt has rejoined the sport's management committee, replacing Poole's Matt Ford.
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