The 1985 National League was contested as the second division of motorcycle speedway in the United Kingdom.
A new team called the Barrow Blackhawks entered the league but only staged a handful of fixtures. The team failed to meet the minimum points limit resulting in the league authorities stopping their participation. Scunthorpe Stags withdrew from the league in May.
Weymouth Wildcats promoters Peter Ansell and Mervyn Stewkesbury, moved their team to Poole for the start of the 1985 season, following the closure of the Poole Pirates due to financial debts. The team raced as the Poole Wildcats.
Boston Barracudas promoter Cyril Crane withdrew the team from the league just days before the start of the season when Crane relinquished his interests.
Wimbledon Dons, Eastbourne Eagles and Exeter Falcons all dropped down from the British League to join the National League. Ellesmere Port Gunners and Birmingham Brummies made their returns to British Speedway in the National League.
The league title became a dramatic three horse race between Poole Wildcats, Middlesbrough Tigers and Ellesmere Port Gunners. All three teams entered October with only away matches left. Poole were two points ahead of Middlesbrough but had one meeting left, with Middlesbrough having two matches in hand. Ellesmere Port were two points behind Middlesbrough but had four meetings left. The Gunners won away at strugglers Long Eaton and Edinburgh to draw level with Poole, and Middlesbrough won at Stoke to leave all three level. Ellesmere Port drew their penultimate fixture at Peterborough who had previously won every home match whilst Poole lost heavily at Berwick to rule them out of the running. Then tragedy struck Ellesmere Port at Birmingham, having lost the KO Cup final only two days previous. With Middlesbrough losing at Eastbourne on the same night, a victory would have given the Thornton Road outfit the title. Leading by 6 points after 8 heats, top scorer Joe Owen crashed and suffered a severe back injury which was to leave him paralysed. The subsequent 0-5 and loss of their best rider saw Birmingham fight back to win leaving Middlesbrough needing a win at Glasgow to snatch the title. It wasn't until November in the last meeting of the year that the showdown took place. Glasgow were second bottom due to their dreadful away record, but were not a bad outfit at home and kept the scores level after 10 heats. Disaster struck for the away side as Steve Wilcock crashed out and Glasgow took the 5-1. Trailing by four points going into the last heat, Martin Dixon bit the dust and the title was lost. Ellesmere Port Gunners were champions.
Barrow Blackhawks and Scunthorpe Stags withdrew in May and had their results expunged. Ellesmere Port Gunners closed after the fateful night in Birmingham, never to return.
The 1985 National League Knockout Cup was the 18th edition of the Knockout Cup for tier two teams. Eastbourne Eagles were the winners of the competition.
First round
a=Abandoned (power failure, result stood)
Second round
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
First leg
Second leg
Eastbourne were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 83âÂÂ73.
Neil Middleditch won the Riders' Championship. The final was held on 10 August at Brandon Stadium.
The National League Pairs was held at Hackney Wick Stadium on 15 September and was won by Ellesmere Port Gunners.
Semi finals
Final
Middlesbrough Tigers won the fours championship final, held at the East of England Arena on 21 July.
Semi finals
Final
Wimbledon won the London Cup but the competition consisted of just Wimbledon and Hackney. It was also the first time that the competition had been competed for by second tier teams.
Results
Arena Essex
Barrow (withrew from the league)
Berwick
Birmingham
Canterbury
Eastbourne
Edinburgh
Ellesmere Port
Exeter
Glasgow
Hackney
Long Eaton
Middlesbrough
Mildenhall
Milton Keynes
Peterborough
Poole
Rye House
Scunthorpe
Stoke
Wimbledon