The 2004 Elite League speedway season was the 70th season of the top division 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
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
and governed by the
Speedway Control Bureau
The Speedway Control Bureau (SCB), known as the Speedway Control Board between 1948 and 2002, governs the sport of motorcycle speedway in the United Kingdom on behalf of the Auto Cycle Union (ACU). The directors are appointed by the ACU and Br ...
(SCB), in conjunction with the
British Speedway Promoters' Association
The British Speedway Promoters Limited (BSPL) organises the domestic motorcycle speedway competitions in the United Kingdom. They are also responsible for the promotion and running of the FIM meetings staged in Britain.
Each club has a promote ...
(
BSPA
The British Speedway Promoters Limited (BSPL) organises the domestic motorcycle speedway competitions in the United Kingdom. They are also responsible for the promotion and running of the FIM meetings staged in Britain.
Each club has a promote ...
). Poole Pirates completed the double (league and cup winners) for the second year running. They were the first team to achieve this since
Oxford Cheetahs
The Oxford Cheetahs are a British speedway teamLawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. based at Oxford Stadium, in Oxford, England. They were founded in 1939 and are five times champions of Britain, in 1964, 1985, 1986, 1989 and ...
in
1986
The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1
** Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles.
**Spain and Portugal ente ...
.
Season summary
In 2004, the league increased to ten teams, with the
Arena Essex Hammers
The Lakeside Hammers were a speedway team who most recently raced in the SGB Championship in 2018. They were founded (as the Arena-Essex Hammers) by promoter Wally Mawdsley and stock car promoter Chick Woodroffe. The team were nicknamed the Hamme ...
and the
Swindon Robins
The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English motorcycle speedway team established in 1949 that have competed primarily in the top division of speedway league competition in the United Kingdom. They are five times l ...
moving up from the
Premier League
The Premier League (legal name: The Football Association Premier League Limited) is the highest level of the men's English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Foo ...
. The title was decided by a play-off between the top five teams. The team that finished top of the table were seeded directly to the final and the next four met in quarter and semi final rounds. The winner of these rounds qualified for the final.
[
]
Poole Pirates dominated the season again and completed the 'double double' meaning winning the league and cup for two consecutive seasons. This had not been achieved since
Oxford Cheetahs
The Oxford Cheetahs are a British speedway teamLawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. based at Oxford Stadium, in Oxford, England. They were founded in 1939 and are five times champions of Britain, in 1964, 1985, 1986, 1989 and ...
during the 1985 and 1986 seasons. Poole retained the majority of their 2003 squad, five time World Champion
Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson (born on 17 August 1970) is a Swedish former professional motorcycle speedway rider. He competed in the Speedway World Championships from 1989 to 2006. Rickardsson is notable for winning six Speedway World Championship titles in 1 ...
,
Magnus Zetterström
Hans Magnus Zetterström (born 9 December 1971 in Eskilstuna, Sweden) is an international motorcycle speedway rider who rides for the Belle Vue Aces in the British Elite League, having previous been with Poole Pirates. Zetterström became Europ ...
,
Antonio Lindbäck
Antonio Lindbäck (born 5 May 1985 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a former international motorcycle speedway rider who competed in the Speedway World Championship, finishing eighth in 2016, and was a member of the Swedish team who won the Speedway ...
and
Bjarne Pedersen
Bjarne Aagaard Pedersen (born 12 July 1978 in Holstebro, Denmark)Oakes, P.(2006). ''Speedway Star Almanac''. is an international motorcycle speedway rider who has represented Denmark in the Speedway World Cup, winning it on two occasions: i ...
but
Ryan Sullivan
Ryan Geoffrey Sullivan (born 20 January 1975, in Fitzroy, Victoria) is a retired Australian international Motorcycle speedway rider who has won the Australian senior, Under-21, and Under-16 championships during his career. Sullivan achieved a ...
was brought in from Peterborough to replace
Leigh Adams
Leigh Scott Adams (born 28 April 1971 in Mildura, Victoria)Oakes, P.(2004). ''British Speedway Who's Who''. is an Australian former motorcycle speedway rider. He is a multiple Speedway Grand Prix winner and World Team Champion. He also w ...
who moved to Swindon.
Rickardsson topped the league averages but only raced part of the season returning to Sweden to spend more time with his family. Arguably Leigh Adams was the star rider of the season helping new Elite League side Swindon to a respectable mid-table position.
Final table
''*'' Belle Vue v Peterborough not held
Play-offs
Quarter-final and Semi-final decided over one leg. Grand Final decided by aggregate scores over two legs.
Quarter-finals
*
Wolverhampton Wolves
Wolverhampton Wolves are a British speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and signed a deal with owner Dave Parry (previous speedway rider for the Wolverhampton Wolves) for the 2008 ...
61-33
Oxford Silver Machine
*
Ipswich Witches
The Ipswich Witches are a British speedway club based at Foxhall Stadium near Ipswich, Suffolk. They compete in the British SGB Premiership. Meetings are staged on most Thursdays from March until October, normally commencing at 7.30pm (first ra ...
55-39
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 ...
Semi-finals
*
Wolverhampton Wolves
Wolverhampton Wolves are a British speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and signed a deal with owner Dave Parry (previous speedway rider for the Wolverhampton Wolves) for the 2008 ...
45-45
Ipswich Witches
The Ipswich Witches are a British speedway club based at Foxhall Stadium near Ipswich, Suffolk. They compete in the British SGB Premiership. Meetings are staged on most Thursdays from March until October, normally commencing at 7.30pm (first ra ...
(
Mikael Max
Karl Mikael Karlsson (born 21 August 1973), who rides under the name Mikael Max, is an international motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the UK for the Wolverhampton Wolves in the Elite League.
After first riding a speedway bike at the age ...
beat
Hans Andersen in run-off)
Final
First leg
Second leg
The Poole Pirates were declared League Champions, winning on aggregate 112-71.
Elite League Knockout Cup
The 2004 Elite League Knockout Cup was the 66th edition of the
Knockout Cup for tier one teams.
Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates (also known as Poole Speedway) are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the SGB Championship. The club have been the champions of the United Kingdom on ten occasions.
Poole Speedway is promoted by l ...
were the winners of the competition. Poole had started the final second leg under protest because of the Ipswich team changes that included a late replacement rider
Davey Watt
David John Watt (born 6 January 1978 in Townsville, Queensland) is a former international motorcycle speedway rider from Australia. He won the Queensland state championship in 2005 and was a member of the Australian team that finished second t ...
, who Poole considered was ineligible.
First round
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
First leg
Second leg
The Poole Pirates were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 99-87.
Leading final averages
Rider & final averages
Arena Essex
* 9.87
* 6.67
* 6.57
* 6.18
* 6.06
* 6.02
* 5.82
* 5.66
* 4.44
Belle Vue
* 10.67
* 7.40
* 7.27
* 7.25
* 7.13
* 7.10
* 6.13
* 6.03
* 4.91
* 4.73
* 4.51
* 3.68
* 2.12
* 1.57
* 0.47
Coventry
* 9.07
* 7.11
* 6.68
* 6.49
* 6.00
* 5.85
* 5.67
* 4.76
* 2.29
* 1.05
Eastbourne
* 9.95
* 9.48
* 8.18
* 7.02
* 5.00
* 4.52
* 4.20
* 2.92
* 2.42
* 2.07
Ipswich
* 9.33
* 8.59
* 8.29
* 7.30
* 6.49
* 5.96
* 3.30
* 1.41
Oxford
* 9.83
* 6.74
* 6.60
* 6.25
* 6.25
* 5.96
* 5.20
* 4.91
Peterborough
* 8.62
* 7.86
* 6.86
* 6.55
* 5.40
* 4.55
* 4.00
* 2.21
Poole
* 10.89
* 8.77
* 8.66
* 8.63
* 7.65
* 6.29
* 5.86
* 5.43
* 4.80
* 4.72
Swindon
* 10.83
* 7.23
* 6.98
* 6.41
* 6.05
* 5.79
* 3.89
* 2.74
Wolverhampton
* 9.39
* 7.48
* 7.37
* 6.86
* 6.52
* 6.43
* 5.59
* 2.12
See also
*
Speedway in the United Kingdom
The sport of speedway in the United Kingdom has changed little since the first meetings in the 1920s. It has three domestic leagues, its own Speedway Grand Prix, and an annual entry into the Speedway World Cup / Speedway of Nations.
History
Se ...
*
List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions
*
Knockout Cup (speedway)
Knockout Cup (sometimes referred to as the KO Cup) is a type of British motorcycle speedway competition, examples of which have run annually since 1929.
Each tier of British Speedway has its own respective Knockout Cup. The current Knockout Cup ...
References
{{United Kingdom Speedway Seasons
SGB Premiership
2004 in British motorsport