1961 Provincial Speedway League


The 1961 Provincial Speedway League was the second season of the Provincial League.

Summary

Eleven speedway teams took part. Liverpool, Yarmouth and Bristol had all folded at the end of the previous season and Bradford were unable to take their place in the league after the construction of their new track was delayed.
Exeter, Plymouth, Wolverhampton, Middlesbrough and Newcastle all re-opened their tracks and joined the league for the start of the season. Plymouth took on Bristol's riders and Bulldog nickname. Poole were champions, finishing seven points ahead of runners up Plymouth. After a couple of challenge meetings held throughout 1960 Exeter returned following a five-year league absence under the promotion of Wally Mawdsley and Pete Lansdale.

Final table

M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points

Provincial League Knockout Cup

The 1961 Provincial League Knockout Cup was the second edition of the Knockout Cup for the Provincial League teams. Cradley Heathens were the winners.
First round
DateTeam oneScoreTeam two
13/05Stoke53–41Middlesbrough
19/05Rayleigh50–46Exeter

Second round
DateTeam oneScoreTeam two
18/05Sheffield43–53Plymouth
21/06Poole71–25Wolverhampton
24/06Stoke46–50Cradley Heath
17/07Edinburgh49–47Rayleigh

Semifinals
DateTeam oneScoreTeam two
29/07Cradley Heath55–41Poole
12/08Edinburgh55–40Plymouth

Final

First leg
'''Second leg'''

Riders' Championship

Reg Reeves won the Riders' Championship. The final was held at Harringay Stadium on 16 September in front of 20,000 spectators. Defending champion Trevor Redmond suffered a broken chain in his last race when leading Reeves, which prevented him from winning the title again.
Pos.RiderPtsTotal
1

Riders & final averages

Cradley Heath
  • 10.14
  • 8.88
  • 7.54
  • 7.14
  • 6.15
  • 5.97
  • 5.29
  • 5.04
  • 4.44
  • 4.00
  • 2.97
Edinburgh
  • 9.65
  • 8.42
  • 7.41
  • 6.55
  • 5.83
  • 5.72
  • 4.20
Exeter
  • 9.33
  • 8.81
  • 8.12
  • 8.00
  • 7.66
  • 6.75
  • 4.90
  • 3.84
  • 3.60
  • 2.25
Middlesbrough
  • 9.05
  • 8.50
  • 7.50
  • 7.00
  • 6.49
  • 6.18
  • 5.65
  • 5.56
  • 4.42
  • 4.00
  • 3.83
  • 3.78
Newcastle
  • 8.65
  • 7.05
  • 5.85
  • 5.67
  • 5.55
  • George Glen 4.85
  • 4.65
  • 2.61
Plymouth
  • 11.08
  • 9.38
  • 8.92
  • 6.86
  • 6.03
  • 4.41
  • Chris Blewett 4.14
  • 3.36
  • 1.23
Poole
  • 10.55
  • 10.51
  • 10.32
  • 7.80
  • 6.32
  • 5.88
  • 4.68
Rayleigh
  • 11.43
  • 8.53
  • 8.44
  • 6.68
  • 5.12
  • 4.89
  • 4.39
  • 4.36
Sheffield
  • 9.64
  • 9.59
  • 8.80
  • 7.20
  • 6.97
  • 6.86
  • 6.27
  • 6.21
  • 3.64
  • 3.40
Stoke
  • 9.60
  • 9.50
  • 8.64
  • 8.59
  • 8.44
  • 7.63
  • 6.97
  • 6.92
  • 5.23
  • 5.22
  • 3.86
  • 3.00
  • 2.32
Wolverhampton
  • 10.00
  • 8.33
  • 6.92
  • 6.45
  • 6.24
  • 5.39
  • 4.97
  • 4.73
  • 4.67
  • 4.62
  • 2.53
  • 2.46