Oxford Cheetahs have quit the top flight and are still not certain of a place in the Premier League following the British Speedway Promoters Association annual general meeting at Swindon over the weekend.

An eight-team Elite League will be run without Oxford, who were champions in 2001.

However, their bid to join the Premier League has been placed on hold after it was discovered that both King's Lynn and Somerset have yet to agree new leases with their respective landlords. Both tracks have been given 21 days to resolve their problems.

Oxford promoter Steve Purchase's plans for changes in the sport were not taken up, but Cheetahs have been included in the Premier League set-up, although they must wait an agonising three weeks for confirmation.

The Elite League will go ahead with just eight teams and two home and away fixtures as before, but in a bid to provide continuity for weekend tracks, a new British League Cup has been introduced which will feature both Elite and Premier League clubs.

The competition, which includes five qualifying groups, will be run on a Premier League basis with top-flight clubs working to a 36-point limit.

Oxford boss Steve Purchase was not available for comment last night.

BSPA chairman Chris Van Straaten said: "We have always championed the three-tier structure and we're delighted for this to remain.

"The new British League is likely to take place on Grand Prix weekends and provides supporters with a greater variety of meetings. It is also a bridge-building exercise between the top teams.

Should Oxford gain Premier League status, which seems likely, the fans are in for mouth-watering derbies against the old enemies Swindon and Reading.

The points limit for both leagues next season remains unchanged at 45.

Elite League: Belle Vue, Coventry, Eastbourne, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Peterborough, Poole, Wolverhampton.

Premier League: Arena Essex, Berwick, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Hull, Isle of Wight, Newcastle, Newport, Oxford, Reading, Rye House, Swindon, Sheffield, Somerset ,Stoke, Trelawny, Workington. One home and away fixture.

British League Cup Group 4: Eastbourne, Isle of Wight, Oxford, Reading, Swindon.