Racing will be Fast and Tough!

Championship-level speedway racing is hard, fast and tough.

That’s the message experienced riders sent out from the club’s press and practice day on Tuesday.

New Eastbourne Fineprint Eagles, Richard Lawson, Lewi Kerr, Ben Morley and Alfie Bowtell all said supporters were in for a season of excitement.

Their views were echoed by Will Pottinger who had experience as team manager at this level last year with Lakeside.

The highly experienced Lawson said: It is an exciting move up for the club.

“The racing is going to be good.

“If you look up and down the teams, they are all really competitive. It’s a tough league.

“From my experience, it is always competitive and I think the fans will enjoy it.”

Lawson said he had not seen an awful of National League racing but believed Championship racing was “a bit closer and a bit faster”.

“You can get in this league a reserve coming out and beating a heat leader,” he said, “ which you don’t generally find in the National League.

“Every race should create a bit of excitement.”

Richard Lawson

Lawson, who also rides in the Premiership, said: “Doubling up, doubling down, however you want to look at it, is good for the riders. It is nice to stay busy and competitive and I think that rubs off on both clubs.

“I already have had a couple of meetings under my belt, so I have cobwebs out.

“Going into Saturday I should be ready. The bikes are good, I am looking forward to it.

Pottinger, who is assisting co-promoter Trevor Geer with team matters, said: “It is going to be a very competitive league. There is not a lot between the teams.

Will Pottinger

“I can guarantee there will be some good racing.

“There is some great British talent in this league, supplemented with the overseas riders.

“It is a really good product and I am sure the Eastbourne supporters will enjoy the racing this year.

“It should be great entertainment for them.”

Pottinger said the difference between the National League and Championship was huge – a massive step up.

“We have riders here who have raced for Great Britain; Richard has raced Poland and abroad.

“There is a massive difference between the two leagues.

“The lads are all on it and all have top machinery. That is the main differences between the two leagues.”

Tomorrow: More views from the Arlington pits about the Championship.

First meeting at Arlington Stadium is on Saturday (April 6) against Birmingham in the Championship Shield. Tapes up: 8pm.

Payment at the Turnstyles

There will be Card and Cash Turnstiles open at all Meetings. We are able to accept all major Mastercard and Visa  Debit and Credit Cards. We are NOT able to accept American Express (Amex Cards

We can accept all denominations of Cash and Notes up to £20.00. Under no circumstances will £50 Notes or Scottish Bank Notes be accepted due to the frequency of Fraud in these denominations.

Meeting Presentation

A reminder that as a one-off the meeting on Saturday starts 30 minutes later than usual at 8pm.

The planned format (weather permitting) this season is to have a full team rider parade for both teams commencing 15 minutes before the first race.

On Saturday this will be at 7.45pm with tapes up as closely as possible to 8pm (normally on Saturdays will be parade at 7.15pm and first race at 7.30pm prompt). 

Track shop

Following a review of the current arrangements and facilities, the Eastbourne Fineprint Eagles track shop will be re-locating for 2019 from the old and existing shed adjacent to the turnstile area to the former sponsor’s room in the upper grandstand on the back straight, close to the entrance steps on the pits bend.

This will allow far better facilities and access to browse items. There will be a rail of merchandise to view which can then be ordered by supporters from the website for home delivery and a number of more traditional speedway orientated items on sale from Martin Dadswell, who we are delighted to welcome back to the track shop.

We would ask that supporters bear with us for a few weeks until we can get the new facility fully up and running, but we hope to be fully up to speed by the meeting on Good Friday.

The track Shop WILL BE open this coming Saturday from around 6pm.

If you are unable to go up the stairs, contact one of our community team who will be pleased to help.

Image Credits: Tiffani Graveling & Mick Hinves