Meetings comprise six teams with a draw being held to determine the riding order. Team A is numbered 1 & 2, Team B is numbered 3 & 4, Team C is numbered 5 & 6, Team D is numbered 7 & 8, Team E is numbered 9 & 10, whilst Team F is numbered 11 & 12.
Competitions may optionally allow each team to nominate an additional rider as a reserve. These reserves are numbered 13 to 18 respectively, and there are no restrictions on who may ride in these positions. Otherwise, two track reserves are nominated who are numbered 13 and 14.
The heat format is determined as follows:
| Heat | Red | Blue | White | Y/B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 2: | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 3: | 11 | 12 | 9 | 10 |
| 4: | 7 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| 5: | 9 | 10 | 5 | 6 |
| 6: | 3 | 4 | 11 | 12 |
| 7: | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 8: | 11 | 12 | 7 | 8 |
| 9: | 9 | 10 | 3 | 4 |
| 10: | 5 | 6 | 11 | 12 |
| 11: | 1 | 2 | 9 | 10 |
| 12: | 3 | 4 | 7 | 8 |
| 13: | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 |
| 14: | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 15: | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
Riders wearing the red and blue helmet colours take Gates A and C, whilst riders wearing the white and yellow/black helmet colours take Gates B and D. Team members may decide amongst themselves which gate positions they will take in their heats. Gate A is on the inside of the track, whilst Gate D is on the outside.
In competitions where team reserves have been nominated, a reserve may be used to replace another team member at any time. In other competitions, the track reserves alternately take the rides of any incapacitated rider, replace any rider excluded for a starting infringement, or replace any rider excluded for exceeding the two minute time allowance. Points scored by track reserves DO NOT count towards team scores.
Race points scored over all heats are used to determine the final placings. Where two or more teams are tied for first, second or third place, each team nominates a rider for a runoff. Ties for other places are resolved by: