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It would been advantageous to play off qualification if you could visit Northampton early as they have no kind of home advantage. They will have a handle on things come July so those later visits should provide a challenge to visitors. 

They could call this league the National league or maybe whilst developing the sport in the country call it The National Development League. 

The purpose of having to tolerate doubling up is far from solely providing income stream for riders. It also enables the current number of clubs to function which is in fact the main reason promoters continue to endorse it.  The concept of dumbing down the sport by having one league comprising the same or similar number of existing teams  to include NDL level & similar limited rider ability or by fielding five man teams is not the answer.  The way forward should be towards establishing top flight elite speedway of professional teams of eight and a second tier of semi-pro/ amateur teams.  This concept should also enable the existing promoters to be split into two groups of a)professional & b)hobbyists.  The professional group investing and promoting Elite speedway would amongst other things be responsible for the face of growing awareness of the sport to media and sponsorship. Whilst the second  group providing growth and development opportunities alongside lower related running costs.  There are now more than a few promoters who are well established businesses folk capable of developing the sport. Those same folk whilst prepared to run a team in the existing environment are not prepared to dig deep financially to create change whist the hobbyist’s continue to be blockers to any form of change which would cause their current influence to be significantly diluted.   

Saved the second tier too... Those five or six riders which Northampton will use, who DU, will now get the other part of their two part salary covered.. The only reason for two tiers of racing existing is so the majority of riders can DU, and clubs can therefore share the costs of this majority of riders... There simply isn't any other reason for two tiers of Speedway in the UK.... There is no promotion or relegation due to no aspirational, organic growth being possible due to crowd numbers at the majority of UK tracks, and there are no higher rewards for winning either league.. Northampton have been "parachuted" in to the top tier, just to ensure the operating model and business plan keeps going.. No one knows if crowds will be on average (like they are at most tracks (with the odd outlier), "tier one level" (1200/1400), or "tier two level", (600/800) however, it is just vital they go into tier one as some riders would have missed out on a DU place.... It surely must be one league of fifteen teams next year? Five rider teams if needed... That would actually then look like a "Championship" worth winning and give a good geographical spread across the nation to promote the sport as a "National" one... And look more secure, and relevant, from the view of any potential track developers, with safety in numbers, and collective resistance, being possible...

It's a terrible shape for quality speedway racing. Belle Vue Hyde Road was about same lap length but completely different shape and gave top class racing "out of the top drawer".  I suppose Northampton fulfills a need.....6 teams in the Premiership.

TBH Northampton have saved the Prem League.  Last season the top 4 competed for best placing, King's Lynn were trying to get into the play offs, Birmingham & Oxford were battling each other to avoid the wooden spoon.  With just 5 teams, the play off teams will likely soon be obvious, the 5th would've soon been dropped off & have nothing to ride for.....