British National League 16-heat Match

National League: 1982-1983, 1988-1990
National League KO Cup: 1981-1983, 1987-1990

These matches are held between two teams of seven riders who are numbered 1 to 7. The two riders with the lowest averages in each team are the reserves and must be programmed at Nos. 6 and 7 (in any order).

The heat format is determined as follows:

Heat   HOME TEAM     AWAY TEAM  
Red Blue White Y/B
1: 1  (B) 2  (D) 1  (A) 2  (C)
2: 6  (A) 7  (C) 6  (B) 7  (D)
3: 5  (D) 4  (B) 5  (C) 4  (A)
4: 3  (D) 6  (B) 3  (C) 7  (A)
5: 5  (C) 4  (A) 1  (D) 2  (B)
6: 1  (C) 2  (A) 3  (B) 6  (D)
7: 3  (A) 6  (C) 5  (D) 4  (B)
8: 2  (C) 7  (A) 2  (D) 7  (B)
9: 5  (B) 4  (D) 3  (A) 6  (C)
10: 1  (D) 2  (B) 5  (A) 4  (C)
11: 3  (B) 7  (D) 1  (C) 2  (A)
12: 1  (A) 4  (C) 3  (D) 5  (B)
13: 3  (C) 5  (A) 1  (B) 4  (D)
14: 2  (B) 6  (D) 2  (C) 6  (A)
15: 3  (A) 5  (C) 3  (B) 5  (D)
16: 1  (D) 4  (B) 1  (A) 4  (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 reserve may have a maximum of seven rides that may be taken at any time. All exclusions count as rides.

All riders must take at least three rides during the match unless declared injured. If a rider is unable to take the minimum number of rides, their place in a heat may not be taken by any other rider until this requirement is met (i.e. a team may not track a rider). For the purposes of this regulation, an exclusion for a starting infringement or exceeding the two minute time allowance only counts as a ride if the excluded rider is not replaced.

In Heats 5 to 16, a team behind by six or more points may substitute a programmed rider with any other rider in the team, provided each rider is only used as a tactical substitute once. 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.

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.