1997 Elite League speedway season

In 1997, the single speedway league in Great Britain separated after two seasons, forming a new top division. The inaugural league consisted of ten teams. The league operated on a standard format without play-offs. The Craven Shield was introduced as an end of season cup competition for the top eight teams in the league standings. Bradford Dukes finally won the league, their first success since 1966 when they raced as Halifax Dukes. Bradford retained top English riders Gary Havelock and Joe Screen but crucially brought in Mark Loram from Exeter Falcons. Loram had a superb season that included becoming the new British Champion. ==Final table==

'A' Fixtures 'B' Fixtures == Elite League Knockout Cup ==

The 1997 Elite League Knockout Cup, sponsored by the Speedway Star, was the 59th edition of the Knockout Cup for tier one teams but the first under its new name. Eastbourne Eagles were the winners of the competition. First round Group A Group B Semi-finals Final First leg Second leg Eastbourne Eagles were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 116-66. == Craven Shield ==

• End of season competition for the top eight league teams First Round Semi-final Final == Riders' Championship ==

Greg Hancock won the Elite League Riders' Championship, held at Odsal Stadium on 11 October. • tx-touched tapes, excluded ==Fours==

Peterborough Panthers won the Elite League Four Team Tournament, which was held on 3 August 1997, at the East of England Arena. ==Final leading averages==

Belle Vue • 10.07 • 8.48 • 7.74 • 5.58 • 5.56 • 4.17 • 1.62 • 0.97 Bradford • 9.77 • 9.59 • 7.59 • 5.78 • 5.70 • 4.45 Coventry • 9.85 • 9.02 • 6.90 • 5.84 • 5.67 • 5.13 • 4.15 • 1.44 Eastbourne • 8.44 • 8.24 • 7.32 • 6.97 • 6.57 • 4.56 Ipswich • 10.09 • 9.42 • 7.74 • 6.25 • 6.17 • 6.11 • 3.62 '''King's Lynn''' • 8.07 • 7.48 • 7.24 • 6.91 • 6.26 • 5.14 • 3.11 Peterborough • 9.71 • 7.80 • 7.71 • 7.22 • 7.08 • 4.95 • 4.90 • 2.52 Poole • 9.43 • 7.48 • 7.30 • 6.43 • 6.18 • 4.80 • 4.77 • 4.45 Swindon • 9.76 • 8.96 • 8.12 • 6.68 • 4.68 • 2.53 Wolverhampton • 8.62 • 8.37 • 7.08 • 5.45 • 4.76 • 4.55 • 4.16 ==See also==