These matches are held between two teams of six riders who are numbered 1 to 6. The rider with the lowest average in each team is the reserve and must be programmed at No. 6. In addition, the three riders with the highest averages in each team are the heat-leaders and must be programmed at Nos. 1, 3 and 5 (in any order).
The heat format is determined as follows:
| Heat | HOME TEAM | AWAY TEAM | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Blue | White | Y/B | |
| 1: | 1 (A) | 2 (C) | 1 (B) | 2 (D) |
| 2: | 4 (B) | 3 (D) | 4 (A) | 3 (C) |
| 3: | 5 (B) | 6 (D) | 5 (A) | 6 (C) |
| 4: | 2 (A) | 1 (C) | 3 (B) | 4 (D) |
| 5: | 3 (A) | 4 (C) | 6 (B) | 5 (D) |
| 6: | 6 (B) | 5 (D) | 2 (A) | 1 (C) |
| 7: | 2 (B) | 1 (D) | 6 (A) | 5 (C) |
| 8: | 4 (A) | 3 (C) | 2 (B) | 1 (D) |
| 9: | 6 (A) | 5 (C) | 4 (B) | 3 (D) |
| 10: | 1 (B) | 4 (D) | 1 (A) | 4 (C) |
| 11: | 3 (B) | 2 (D) | 3 (A) | 2 (C) |
| 12: | 5 (A) | 4 (C) | 5 (B) | 4 (D) |
| 13: | 3 (A) | 6 (C) | 3 (B) | 6 (D) |
| 14: | 5 (B) | 1 (D) | 5 (A) | 1 (C) |
| 15: | 6 (A) | 2 (C) | 6 (B) | 2 (D) |
| 16: Top Scorers | * (B) | * (D) | * (A) | * (C) |
Riders take the starting gate positions indicated in parentheses. Gate A is on the inside of the track, whilst Gate D is on the outside.
Each rider may have a maximum of seven rides, which includes tactical substitute and Heat 16 rides. The reserve may take their rides at any time, but they may not replace riders excluded for exceeding the two minute time allowance. All exclusions count towards the maximum number of rides.
All riders must take at least one ride, otherwise they are deemed to be missing and their team is penalised accordingly.
In Heats 4 to 15, a team behind by six or more points may substitute a programmed rider with any other rider in the team, provided each rider is not used as a tactical substitute more than twice. A substitute rider takes the helmet colour and starting gate position of the replaced rider. Both riders in a heat may be substituted in this manner, provided the Referee is clearly notified which substitute replaces which rider.
Heat 16 is for the two highest scoring riders from each team. The scores from all rides are counted and bonus points are included. In the event of one of these riders being declared injured prior to the start of the heat, or having already taken their maximum number of rides, the next highest scoring rider becomes eligible instead. The only other permitted replacement is the reserve.
The team scoring the greater number of points over all heats is declared the winner. When teams score an equal number of points, the match is declared a draw.