Wolves owner defends 'heat leader' list

But he does accept that promoters are "tying themselves in knots" with the sport's regulations,

Speedway bosses have named more than 30 riders who are considered to be of heat leader standard and decreed that no club can field more than three of them at the start of the season.

Fans were quick to point out potential anomalies – both riders included and others left off.

But Van Straaten regards the move as a consequence of the drive to bring on more British youngsters and try to give all clubs a reasonable shot at becoming league champions.

The young Brits were fast-tracked into reserve positions last season, but with a tweaked race format that eased the transition by not over-exposing them against the top riders or giving them an official average.

That in turn meant the heavy hitters faced each other more often, driving down their own figures.

This year's team building points limit is higher, as reserves' averages will now count, but means there are talented riders out there on low figures who might have been cherry-picked by clubs.

"It's very difficult," said Van Straaten. "It was vital for the long-term future of the sport that we develop more British riders and give them the opportunity of racing against a higher level of riders.

"But we have had this race format which has distorted averages, no question about it.

"Apart from exceptions such as Jason Doyle, the majority of riders' averages are condensed.

"The format – though very successful from a spectator's point of view, sees the top riders meet the top riders and pushes their average down.

"If we hadn't had a heat leader list, with a restriction of three from that list, the theory is that the more successful clubs would have had five of those.

"Indeed, my own Freddie Lindgren would have been a prime target for several clubs if they could have had five of these riders.

"Everybody thinks or suspects that he is far better than a six-point rider, which I think he will prove this year.

"When we all (promoters) sat in a room (to compile the list) it was done democratically and I was very impressed. Other than one or two, we all had the same riders listed.

"They know that Freddie, at this moment in his career, is a far better rider than Jacob Thorssell – but his average dictates otherwise, Jacob has a higher average.

"At the start of the season, with the regulations, every club should have a chance of winning the league. That's the most important facet of any sport now."

A key point is that once new averages are established during this season, the restrictions are lifted.

"The beauty of it is that, once the averages are published, that list goes," added Van Straaten.

"If we've misjudged things and are stuck down the bottom of the league, don't particularly want to change our heat leaders but want to change somebody else, we can now take somebody off that list.

"Our sport – I'm feeling it more than ever talking to you! – is so complicated. We tie ourselves into knots. But it is an attempt to have a level playing field."