1985 British League season

The 1985 British League season was the 51st season of the top tier of motorcycle speedway in the United Kingdom and the 21st known as the British League. == Team changes == The league was cut drastically from 16 teams to 11. This meant the League Cup was expanded to be a competition with more fixtures than the British League. Both competitions would now see all teams meet home and away with only the League Cup having semi-finals and a final. Bonus points were introduced in both competitions awarded to the team that won each fixture on aggregate, with a run-off as a tie-breaker if the scores are level. Wimbledon Dons dropped to the National league, this was the first time that Wimbledon would not compete in the top tier of speedway. They were joined in the National League by Poole Pirates, who took over Weymouth Wildcats to become Poole Wildcats, Eastbourne Eagles and Exeter Falcons. Newcastle Diamonds had no speedway in 1985 but they would return to the National League in 1986. There were no new entrants to the British League. == Summary == Oxford Cheetahs won the league and cup double. The Oxford team, financed by the Oxford Stadium owners Northern Sports and headed by David Hawkins was the most expensive team assembled in the history of the league. The team included Danish international Hans Nielsen (signed for a record £30,000) in 1984. Nielsen had topped the previous season's averages on Oxford's return to the league and was imperious during 1985, finishing with an exceptional average, way ahead of any other rider. The team eased to the league title by a clear ten points, with Simon Wigg, Andy Grahame, Marvyn Cox, Jens Rasmussen and Melvyn Taylor all riding over 50 matches each during the season. Defending champions Ipswich Witches finished mid-table which was not surprising taking into account that just three matches into the season their leading rider Billy Sanders committed suicide on 23 April. The news shocked the club and the wider speedway world at the time. == Final table == M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points == Fixtures and results == == Top ten riders (league averages) == == British League Knockout Cup == The 1985 Speedway Star British League Knockout Cup was the 47th edition of the Knockout Cup for tier one teams. Oxford Cheetahs were the winners. First round Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final First leg Second leg Oxford Cheetahs were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 79-76. == League Cup == The League Cup was contested as a league format. Coventry Bees won the final over two legs defeating Oxford Cheetahs 86–70 on aggregate. Qualifying table == Fixtures and results == Semi-finals Final First leg Second leg == Riders' Championship == Erik Gundersen won the British League Riders' Championship for the second time, the final was held at Hyde Road on 20 October. ef=engine failure, f=fell, x=excluded r-retired == Pairs == The British League Pairs Championship was held at Monmore Green Stadium on 30 June and was won by Oxford. == Leading final averages == == Midland Cup == Oxford won the Midland Cup. The competition consisted of six teams. First round Semi final round Final First leg Second leg Oxford won on aggregate 85–71 == Riders & final averages == Belle Vue Coventry Cradley Heath Halifax Ipswich King's Lynn Oxford Reading Sheffield Swindon Wolverhampton == See also == Speedway in the United Kingdom List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions Knockout Cup (speedway) == References ==