The 2013 Speedway Grand Prix season was the 68th edition of the official World Championship[1][2] and the 19th season of the Speedway Grand Prix era, deciding the FIMSpeedway World Championship. It was the thirteenth series under the promotion of Benfield Sports International, an IMG company.
For the 2013 season there were 15 permanent riders, joined at each Grand Prix by one wild card and two track reserves.
Since Jason Crump decided to retire from the series, the top eight riders – except Crump, who was replaced by ninth-placed Andreas Jonsson – from the 2012 championship qualified.[3] Those riders were joined by three riders who qualified via the Grand Prix Challenge.[4]
The final four riders were nominated by series promoters, Benfield Sports International, following the completion of the 2012 season.[5][6]
According to the SGP Regulation, Crump's spot for the 2013 season – as sixth place in 2012 – should be taken by the first Qualified Substitute, Aleš Dryml, Jr.[9] However, BSI has announced that Crump's spot would be awarded to Andreas Jonsson, the ninth-place finisher in the 2012 standings, per FIM regulations.
... Should a rider or riders who have qualified directly, either by being in the top 8 of the Final Overall Grand Prix Classification or in the top 3 of the FIM Grand Prix qualification system or who qualified through both systems, withdraw prior to the start of the Grand Prix season, the first rider or riders available on the Official Grand Prix Qualified Substitute list shall replace him or them.
— Speedway Grand Prix Regulation, Rule 077.8.5, FIM (pages 22–23)[10]