From 1954 until 1959 the
Southern Area League held a competition for its leading riders called the Southern Area League Riders' Championship. It was the second tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom for Southern British teams. However, in 1960, British speedway underwent a major revamp with the introduction of the
1960 Provincial Speedway League, which would act as the new second tier of speedway in Britain. The five teams that previously formed the Southern League were forced to decide what direction they would take.
Ipswich Witches joined the National League (the top division) and
Yarmouth Bloaters joined the Provincial League. The remaining three teams
Eastbourne Eagles,
Aldershot Shots and
Rye House Rockets were without a league, so they ran a series of challenge matches throughout 1960. The riders of the three teams competed in the Riders' Championship, which continued into 1960. ==Result==