The 1980 British League season was the 46th season of the top tier of motorcycle speedway in the United Kingdom and the 16th season known as the British League.
Summary
The league comprised 17 teams - one fewer than the previous season. Exeter Falcons had dropped down to the National League. Hackney Hawks underwent a dramatic transformation from being the bottom side in 1979 to title contenders in 1980, but their challenge faded in the last few weeks and Reading Racers were crowned champions for the second time.
Reading's success came down to three strong heat leaders, Swedish champion Jan Andersson, their new American signing Bobby Schwartz and England international John Davis. All three produced season averages around the 10 mark, which enabled the team to constantly pick up victories. Cradley Heathens successfully retained their Knockout Cup crown overcoming a huge first leg deficit in the final.
Hans Nielsen topped the averages for the first time in his career. Neither Ivan Mauger or Ole Olsen finished in the top 10 in averages, as well as both failing to qualify directly for that years’ World Final (Olsen went as reserve). The young American riders continued to improve as more arrived in Britain, with Bruce Penhall qualifying for the World Final and Dennis Sigalos pipping Mauger to be Hull Vikings' top scorer.
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 1980 Speedway Star British League Knockout Cup was the 42nd edition of the Knockout Cup for tier one teams. Cradley Heath were the winners.
First round
Second round
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
First leg
Second leg
Cradley Heath were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 116-100.
Riders' Championship
Les Collins won the British League Riders' Championship, held at Hyde Road on 18 October and sponsored by Gauntlet (Leyland Used Cars).
- ef=engine failure, f=fell, x=excluded r-retired
Final leading averages
Midland Cup
Cradley Heath won the Midland Cup, sponsored by the Trustee Savings Bank. The competition consisted of six teams.
First round
Semi final round
Final
First leg
Second leg
Cradley Heath won on aggregate 88–68
London Cup
Wimbledon won the London Cup but the competition consisted of just Wimbledon and Hackney.
Results
Riders & final averages
Belle Vue
Birmingham
Coventry
Cradley Heath
Eastbourne
Hackney
Halifax
Hull
Ipswich
King's Lynn
Leicester
Poole
Reading
Sheffield
Swindon
Wimbledon
Wolverhampton
See also
- List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions
- Knockout Cup (speedway)
References
