The 1979 National League was contested as the second division/tier of

Speedway Speedway may refer to: Racing Race tracks *Edmonton International Speedway, also known as Speedway Park, a former motor raceway in Edmonton, Alberta *Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a motor raceway in Speedway, Indiana Types of races and race cours ...

in the United Kingdom.

Summary

The league was reduced from 20 teams to 19 from the previous season.

White City Rebels The White City Rebels were a motorcycle speedway team who operated from the White City Stadium, Wood Lane in London. History White City were inaugural members of the Southern League in 1929 but only raced for the one season. The White City team ...

closure saw their riders move to

Eastbourne Eagles The Eastbourne Eagles were a British speedway team, based at Arlington Stadium, near Eastbourne, England, that raced in the SGB Championship. History Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in 1929. During their first league season th ...

who moved up to the

British League The British League was the main motorcycle speedway league in Britain from its formation in 1965 until 1995 when British speedway was restructured. It initially had a single division, with a second division starting in 1968 (which was renamed the ...

. Barrow Furness Flyers dropped out and Nottingham Outlaws joined the league. Teesside Tigers changed their name to Middlesbrough Tigers.

Scunthorpe Saints The Scunthorpe Scorpions are a speedway team in the British SGB Championship. They have raced at various times since 1972, at three different venues. History 1972–1978 The original Scunthorpe side were known as Scunthorpe Saints from 1972 ...

changed their name to Scunthorpe Stags. Tom Owen of Newcastle topped the averages for the third consecutive year and

Ian Gledhill Ian Gledhill (1958–2015) was a speedway rider from England. Speedway career Gledhill rode in the top two tiers of British Speedway from 1976 to 1982, riding for various clubs. In 1979, he became the National League Riders' Champion. Ref ...

, riding for Stoke won the Riders' Championship but both Newcastle and Stoke finished well behind

Mildenhall Fen Tigers The Mildenhall Fen Tigers are a British speedway team, founded in 1975 and currently riding in the National Development League. History 1971–1989 The original track was built in 1971 on farm land owned by Terry Waters, with chef Bernie Klat ...

and

Rye House Rockets The Rye House Rockets were a speedway team based at Rye House Stadium, Hoddesdon, England. They competed in various British speedway leagues from 1954 to 2018. History Rye House began life in 1934 hosting open meetings. Whilst at Hackney in 1 ...

in the league table. In a season that would go down to the last match, Mildenhall won their first title in their history. The consistency of four riders, Ray Bales,

Mick Hines Mick is a masculine given name, usually a short form (hypocorism) of Michael. Because of its popularity in Ireland, it is often used in England as a derogatory term for an Irish person or a person of Irish descent. In Australia the meaning broade ...

Melvyn Taylor Melvyn Roy Taylor (born 26 April 1961) is a former speedway rider from England. Speedway career Taylor started his career at Mildenhall Fen Tigers in 1977 before riding in the top tier of British Speedway for King's Lynn Stars and Reading Ra ...

and Robert Henry was the crucial factor to their success. There was a controversial end to the season when Rye House visited Mildenhall, needing a draw to win the title. Needing a 5-1 in the last heat to tie the match, Rocket

Karl Fiala Karl Fiala (born 30 January 1956 in Harlow), is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. Career Silver Helmet Match Race (September 1979) Silver Helmet Match Race (October 1979) Knock-Out Cup Champions Rye House (1979) National League ...

's exclusion prompted team-mate

Bob Garrad Bobby David Garrad (born 18 January 1960 in Chelmsford, Essex) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. Career Garrad spent most of his career with Rye House Rockets The Rye House Rockets were a speedway team based at Rye Hous ...

to withdraw from the re-run in protest. Mildenhall went on to win at bottom club

in the last match of the season to win the title by one point.

Final table

Top Five Riders

The top ten averages of the National League.

National League Knockout Cup

The 1979 National League Knockout Cup was the 12th edition of the Knockout Cup for tier two teams.

were the winners of the competition.

First round

Second round

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final

First leg Second leg Rye House were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 92–64.

References

{{United Kingdom Speedway Seasons Speedway British League Division Two / National League