1981 British League season

[2] American Bruce Penhall (who would be crowned world champion by the end of the season) topped the averages and helped Cradley Heathens win their first title.

The Cradley team included Penhall, rising Danish star Erik Gundersen and British internationals Alan Grahame and Phil Collins.

[3] The year saw a changing of the guard as a number of young riders broke through as heat leaders.

American duo Penhall and Dennis Sigalos led Cradley Heath and Ipswich respectively, Danish trio Gundersen, Hans Nielsen and Tommy Knudsen all qualified for the World Final, and Kenny Carter finished as top Englishman in the World Final and won the League Riders' Championship.

[7] Results Belle Vue Birmingham Coventry Cradley Heath Eastbourne Hackney Halifax Hull Ipswich King's Lynn Leicester Poole Reading Sheffield Swindon Wimbledon