HG AEROSPACE EAGLES SPEEDWAY MAGAZINE

No. 6

SEASON PREVIEW

RACE NIGHT DETAILS JON COOK 2021 FIXTURES Get to know your Eagles and Seagulls HG AEROSPACE EAGLES SPEEDWAY MAGAZINE ISSUE 6 | MAY 2021

We will still be under severe crowd Sponsors JON COOK restrictions until at least June 21 when hopefully we We cannot thank our Sponsors enough for their continued THE TRAGIC NEWS about Jon received on Tuesday morning support, Lee is working hard on recruiting some more and a aer the early May bank holiday Monday has hit everyone can begin to see a return to more normality. massive thank you too to all of our 2020 Season Ticket and 10 very hard. Match Ticket Holders who agreed to roll-over to 2021. There are tributes in this edition of Flying High, on our Emotional return Without that Sponsor support and loyalty of supporters we Every penny of gate and match proceeds and commercial and website and there will be more in the programme for the It's going to be an incredibly emotional return to Arlington on the would not be here. advertising income helps and we have very deliberately made opening match and at the Newcastle fixture. May 22. I must pay fulsome tribute to my Co-Director Les Fineing who has pricing for these opportunities as cheap and cost effective as possible as we know how much ALL business and personal finances We'll also discuss something appropriate with Jon's sons and It will have been over 600 days since we last met and sadly some supported me and the business £ for £ in the period of inactivity are hurting and how difficult it has been for everyone. family when the time is right and we're already working hard wonderfully loyal servants of the club from the inner workings and in our investment into the Club to keep things ticking over. on some sort of lasting recognition of Jon’s service to the Club our loyal supporter base will not be around to share that moment The nature of Speedway is that for 18 months we have suffered a ‘The Holy Grail’ with us. involving on and off the track, to be announced in due course. 95% reduction in income based on turnover yet essential costs As part of our recognition of this we will stage the first of several The 2021 team features much of Jon's work and recruitment We will do and will continue to do all we can to do to remember and expenses mean that around 25% of those have had to be standalone NDL Fixtures on Sunday, June 19, with the Eastbourne when returning in 2019. them and never forget their affection for our Club. paid out. We remain confident that once crowd limits ease Seagulls taking on the Kent Royals with an MSDL-level second-half We have held some private behind closed doors practice sessions hopefully aer the June 21, and in the expectation of two His passion for helping to create an all-British Team and all for a TENNER.....£10 Speedway at NDL is considered by many to in the past month and I can only pay massive and fulsome praise to successful teams plus MSDL development Squad and your culture will be his lasting testimony and something we'll run be "the holy grail" and that's what we'll be proud to deliver. all involved in getting the track in to shape, particularly Neil wonderful support, we can again hit and hopefully exceed the with and cherish. . . that as much as his visionary warning Keep an eye out for some fixture amendments to create a few more Hollebon who as the new track curator (together with Chris Geer) average crowds of around 1000 that we had in 2019; and then of these £10 standalone NDL fixtures. about the possible shocking impact of Brexit on Speedway has done some outstanding work. may be add 20% to that average later in the summer so that we and the danger ahead are a fitting epitaph. Please bear with us in the opening weeks, it won't be quite the Team GB can stabilise and secure the long term future. The Winter Support Package Loans available to some Speedway Clubs same due to Covid restrictions but we can see the light at the end We had one very special private practice session at the stadium on (£300,000 in total not £300,000 per Club sadly) was not of a very long tunnel, some Speedway has to be far better and we THIS WILL BE the sixth Flying High edition and it has certainly raised Sunday, May 2, when we were delighted to host the Team GB applicable to us given our recently new company formation but can't wait to get started. the bar in terms of a FREE information-packed publication written Squad and their entourage of experts and management. credit must go to the BSPL for the great work they have done to Hopefully we'll see you all in the coming months and until then almost totally independently for Speedway supporters, not only in They gave us incredibly positive feedback and are looking forward secure it for the Sport as whole. STAY SAFE and spread the positive word about Speedway at Sussex but everywhere. to returning in the future. Arlington....Thank You The credit must go to all involved in the ongoing creation of the It's a relationship that has been nurtured for the past 18 months Spread the message e-magazine and every facet of it is we believe first class and all and we can now confirm that subject to Covid-19 behaving itself Your support is legendary and very much appreciated but if you Ian Jordan should be incredibly proud. we will stage a TEAM GB Under-23 Test Match at Arlington on can help to spread the message, especially once we can have DIRECTOR With the season approaching, we'll focus now on transferring Sunday, July 11, with major opponents to be confirmed nearer the bigger crowds, it would be fantastic and as you know there is no *The Management of Eastbourne HG Aerospace Eagles and some facets of our already award-winning match programme time and subject to which country / team would best fit the then better night out or aernoon in the sun, than Speedway at The Eastbourne Seagulls powered by The Save Thurrock Covid travel restrictions. which will be available not only in the usual printed format but also Arlington. Hammers Campaign. a downloadable e-format like Flying High for the first time. It promises to be a fantastic weekend with some form of OPEN The Stocks and Bangers can attract crowds of 4,000 plus to big DAY with Team GB planned for the Saturday (July 10). The match programme will have more pages for 2021 and that's as meetings and wouldn't it be fantastic if one day we could aspire a direct result of feedback from the critique when we were runner The match forms part of a series of matches including a similar to do the same thing for Speedway? up in the Speedway Star Programme of the Year in 2019. Under- 23 Fixture at Plymouth on Tuesday, July 6; and a FULL Team I can promise everyone that we are and will be making GB Test Match at Glasgow on Saturday, July 17. The only reason we weren't winners was that the judges thought significant progress week on week on modernising the feel and Supporters will also enjoy the benefits of a massive financial the quality deserved more pages. Their wish is our command and visual impact of Arlington Stadium. investment by Eric, Margaret and Paul Dugard in respect of a We have a series of enhancements planned for May, June and we hope to raise the bar again. complete electrical rewire and upgrade of Arlington Stadium, July and I feel sure that by the end of the 2021 season you'll all be There is plenty to read again in this edition of Flying High and it will some redecoration of the toilets, driveway resurfacing of the car take a break now for a few months but we plan a mid-season park and repairs that are ongoing to other parts of the stadium. impressed with the progress made. special and an extensive Limited Edition and Printed "90th These are "generational repairs" and we cannot thank the Owners Anniversary Special Magazine" of top quality, for a reasonable cost enough for that support. that will hopefully be a roaring success and sell out as something to Their positivity about what Speedway is trying to achieve as a be cherished for all Eastbourne and Speedway supporters. long-term project at a recent meeting was a fantastic filip aer a Flying High will return in the autumn once the season finishes and torrid 18 months due to Covid-19 lockdown and closure and we we hope will again be essential reading next winter. can't wait to get started. We will still be under severe crowd restrictions until at least June 21 when hopefully we can begin to see a return to more normality. These are "generational repairs" We will be limited to crowds of about 750 for the opening fixtures and when you consider that includes riders, mechanics, staff and and we cannot thank the Owners enough essential services; this will place an incredible strain on already for that support. limited resources.

2 FLYING HIGH 4 6 10 18

Sponsors £10 Speedway at NDL is considered by We cannot thank our Sponsors enough for their continued support, Lee is working hard on recruiting some more and a many to be "the holy grail" and that's what we'll be massive thank you too to all of our 2020 Season Ticket and 10 proud to deliver. Match Ticket Holders who agreed to roll-over to 2021. Emotional return Without that Sponsor support and loyalty of supporters we Every penny of gate and match proceeds and commercial and It's going to be an incredibly emotional return to Arlington on the would not be here. advertising income helps and we have very deliberately made May 22. I must pay fulsome tribute to my Co-Director Les Fineing who has pricing for these opportunities as cheap and cost effective as It will have been over 600 days since we last met and sadly some supported me and the business £ for £ in the period of inactivity possible as we know how much ALL business and personal finances wonderfully loyal servants of the club from the inner workings and in our investment into the Club to keep things ticking over. are hurting and how difficult it has been for everyone. our loyal supporter base will not be around to share that moment The nature of Speedway is that for 18 months we have suffered a ‘The Holy Grail’ with us. 95% reduction in income based on turnover yet essential costs As part of our recognition of this we will stage the first of several We will do and will continue to do all we can to do to remember and expenses mean that around 25% of those have had to be standalone NDL Fixtures on Sunday, June 19, with the Eastbourne them and never forget their affection for our Club. paid out. We remain confident that once crowd limits ease Seagulls taking on the Kent Royals with an MSDL-level second-half We have held some private behind closed doors practice sessions hopefully aer the June 21, and in the expectation of two all for a TENNER.....£10 Speedway at NDL is considered by many to in the past month and I can only pay massive and fulsome praise to successful teams plus MSDL development Squad and your be "the holy grail" and that's what we'll be proud to deliver. wonderful support, we can again hit and hopefully exceed the all involved in getting the track in to shape, particularly Neil Keep an eye out for some fixture amendments to create a few more Hollebon who as the new track curator (together with Chris Geer) average crowds of around 1000 that we had in 2019; and then of these £10 standalone NDL fixtures. has done some outstanding work. may be add 20% to that average later in the summer so that we Please bear with us in the opening weeks, it won't be quite the Team GB can stabilise and secure the long term future. The Winter Support Package Loans available to some Speedway Clubs same due to Covid restrictions but we can see the light at the end We had one very special private practice session at the stadium on (£300,000 in total not £300,000 per Club sadly) was not of a very long tunnel, some Speedway has to be far better and we THIS WILL BE the sixth Flying High edition and it has certainly raised Sunday, May 2, when we were delighted to host the Team GB applicable to us given our recently new company formation but can't wait to get started. the bar in terms of a FREE information-packed publication written Squad and their entourage of experts and management. credit must go to the BSPL for the great work they have done to Hopefully we'll see you all in the coming months and until then almost totally independently for Speedway supporters, not only in They gave us incredibly positive feedback and are looking forward secure it for the Sport as whole. STAY SAFE and spread the positive word about Speedway at Sussex but everywhere. to returning in the future. Arlington....Thank You The credit must go to all involved in the ongoing creation of the It's a relationship that has been nurtured for the past 18 months Spread the message e-magazine and every facet of it is we believe first class and all and we can now confirm that subject to Covid-19 behaving itself Your support is legendary and very much appreciated but if you Ian Jordan should be incredibly proud. we will stage a TEAM GB Under-23 Test Match at Arlington on can help to spread the message, especially once we can have DIRECTOR With the season approaching, we'll focus now on transferring Sunday, July 11, with major opponents to be confirmed nearer the bigger crowds, it would be fantastic and as you know there is no *The Management of Eastbourne HG Aerospace Eagles and some facets of our already award-winning match programme time and subject to which country / team would best fit the then better night out or aernoon in the sun, than Speedway at The Eastbourne Seagulls powered by The Save Thurrock Covid travel restrictions. which will be available not only in the usual printed format but also Arlington. Hammers Campaign. a downloadable e-format like Flying High for the first time. It promises to be a fantastic weekend with some form of OPEN The Stocks and Bangers can attract crowds of 4,000 plus to big DAY with Team GB planned for the Saturday (July 10). The match programme will have more pages for 2021 and that's as meetings and wouldn't it be fantastic if one day we could aspire a direct result of feedback from the critique when we were runner The match forms part of a series of matches including a similar to do the same thing for Speedway? up in the Speedway Star Programme of the Year in 2019. Under- 23 Fixture at Plymouth on Tuesday, July 6; and a FULL Team I can promise everyone that we are and will be making GB Test Match at Glasgow on Saturday, July 17. The only reason we weren't winners was that the judges thought significant progress week on week on modernising the feel and Supporters will also enjoy the benefits of a massive financial the quality deserved more pages. Their wish is our command and visual impact of Arlington Stadium. investment by Eric, Margaret and Paul Dugard in respect of a We have a series of enhancements planned for May, June and we hope to raise the bar again. complete electrical rewire and upgrade of Arlington Stadium, July and I feel sure that by the end of the 2021 season you'll all be There is plenty to read again in this edition of Flying High and it will some redecoration of the toilets, driveway resurfacing of the car CLICK TO JOIN OUR take a break now for a few months but we plan a mid-season park and repairs that are ongoing to other parts of the stadium. impressed with the progress made. MAILING LIST special and an extensive Limited Edition and Printed "90th These are "generational repairs" and we cannot thank the Owners Anniversary Special Magazine" of top quality, for a reasonable cost enough for that support. that will hopefully be a roaring success and sell out as something to Their positivity about what Speedway is trying to achieve as a be cherished for all Eastbourne and Speedway supporters. long-term project at a recent meeting was a fantastic filip aer a Contributors: Dick Barrie, Ken Burnett, Mike Flying High will return in the autumn once the season finishes and torrid 18 months due to Covid-19 lockdown and closure and we Hinves, Lauren Hinves, Ian Jordan, Kevin we hope will again be essential reading next winter. can't wait to get started. The Winter Support Package Loans Ling, Jeff Scott, Mark Sexton, Paul Watson, We will still be under severe crowd restrictions until at least June 21 available to some Speedway Clubs Kevin Whiting, Lee Kilby, Ian Smalley. when hopefully we can begin to see a return to more normality. Design by Barry Cross Artwork We will be limited to crowds of about 750 for the opening fixtures (£300,000 in total not £300,000 per Club sadly) and when you consider that includes riders, mechanics, staff and was not applicable to us given our recently new essential services; this will place an incredible strain on already limited resources. company formation. All content Copyright of Eastbourne Speedway Ltd 2021

FLYING HIGH 3 Absolutely terrible news. Jon started riding second halves around“ the time I started going to speedway so he's been a massive part of my life for many years. A great man who always had the best interests of speedway at heart, never afraid to rock the boat of the establishment for the good of the sport and amazingly tactically aware. For me there has been no finer team manager or promoter at Eastbourne and I was gutted when he left for Lakeside. Time will show that Jon was one of speedways finest men. There are not many that shared his true passion and desire to do things the right way for the better of the sport. Will be truly missed. Condolences to friends and family. ■ PETER BAKER ”

Cookie was a good fun guy who loved speedway, the last time I spoke“ to him I was telling him about the time I phoned the hotline only to hear an out of breath cookie pick up and start telling me the scores as he hadn't recorded it yet. Told him to get his breath back and he just laughed and said, well you're paying for it.! Oh and the time we were at Ipswich and it turned out cookie was trying to help I think Stefan Danno start his bike. All we saw was Jon rapidly emerging from the pits hanging on to the bike and piling into the safety fence.. Always a laugh when Cookie was around, gutted to read this awful news.. R I P. Jon. ■ SHANE LOVE ”

4 FLYING HIGH Jon Cook tributes to his life in Speedway British Speedway was shocked and saddened to learn of Jon Cook’s death at the age of 55. He was long associated with the Eastbourne Eagles and for around 15 years was very much the face and voice of the club as he served as co-promoter from 1993 to 2007. Jon went on to promote at Lakeside but was back at Arlington in 2019 to play an important role as the club moved to the Championship from the National Development League. The club’s tribute to Jon appeared the day a er his death on our website. Many supporters from across the country took to social media to pay their respects and send condolences to Jon’s family. Here is a selection.

Cant believe this sad news. Remember“ Jon in second half racing years ago . He would Really sad and shocked to always say hello. Thoughts and hear“ this. What a man and Such terrible news. I once condolences to his family. Big loss brilliant promoter. When he left tried“ to interview Jon moments to speedway.R.I.P Jon. after Eagles had won a league our club to go to Lakeside we ■ DEB HOAD ” certainly missed him and his title. He was completely input. Was great to see him back overcome by emotion, for once A true gentleman who had at Arlington. What a shocker. My unable to get any words out. But shale“ in his blood. I had the thoughts and prayers are with the look on his face said it all, so pleasure of meeting him when I Cookie's family and friends at thrilled and proud that his Eagles was part of a consortium seeking such a sad and shocking times. were champions. I will remember to revive Oxford Cheetahs. A sad R.I.P Jon Cook. him this way. RIP Jon. loss. RIP Jon Cook. ■ TREVOR SKINNER” ■ BEN FINDON ” ■ IAN KIRKE ”

FLYING HIGH 5 Flying High Feature Mike Hinves Mike MY TEAM by Trevor Geer Eastbourne HG Aerospace Eagles co-promoter and team manager Trevor Geer believes this year’s Eagles have what it takes to make a genuine Geer also points to the fact that Lewi Championship challenge. Kerr, Tom Brennan and Drew Kemp are The 2019 season was a big learning part of the Team GB set-up and with curve for all connected with the club and Jason Edwards coming through, since then changes have been made to Eastbourne have a crop of riders that strengthen the club on and off the track will play a big part in the nation’s ready for the 2021 campaign. future. Geer believes the Eagles will benefit Will Eastbourne will the title? “I hugely from having an all-British team as expect us to make the Play Offs (top the country comes out of the Covid-19 four) and let’s see what happens from pandemic and lockdowns. there,” he said.

6 FLYING HIGH Trevor Geer talks about ‘My team’ EDWARD KENNETT RICHARD LAWSON LEWI KERR

EDWARD, OF COURSE, comes from a WE HAVE MADE Lewi captain this year family with a great Speedway racing and he is destined for a really good year. Richard is such a Whilst Trevor has perfectly explained pedigree with his dad and uncles. He is They have made him captain at King’s the riding qualities of each team member, such a talented rider and could have gone Lynn in the Premiership and that says a lot. talented rider, he is so I think it's also vitally important that we so much further in the sport than what he Lewi is so brave when riding and so also understand what makes each rider has done. good. It is fantastic to see, bearing in the smooth on a bike. tick, on and off the track. Having said that, he has been No 1 for mind the terrible accidents he has had. As a club, we need do all we can to set lots of teams and has a good career. The He has come back and is a racer through them up to succeed in every way we can; talent he has got, I think he could have and through. working with the guys on "mindset and gone a lot further. He is a good trapper a good racer and confidence" and also team bonding and He is so determined and doesn’t like to good with the crowd and supporters. togetherness. get beaten. Very oen we need him in Lewi is a good ambassador for Speedway. We need not only win as a team, but heat 15 and he has come up trumps. I didn’t know much about him before when we lose, we lose as a team and I think the highlight of that was at he came to Eastbourne in 2019. He really learn together individually and Leicester in 2019 when he passed Scott came through and matured into a very collectively. Nicholls and had a fantastic race with him good rider when we were down in the It's important, therefore, that the guys which was nip and tuck all the way. To get National League. know that they are our "first picks”. the better of Scott round there took some They all are and at no point since 2019 doing. have we ever thought about making Edward is not the best of trappers; he’s changes to the declared 1-7. not bad but he is capable of coming from They are all British, they get on well behind – inside or outside. He can ride with each other, no language barriers, no the whole track. cliques and no "them and us" mentality. Bonding and togetherness in the heat of battle will win us those last heat deciders. My focus is to make the guys What strikes me most of all though is glimpses in 2019 and never more than feel secure and comfortable in the how passionate all of our guys are to heat 15 of the cup match at Leicester. It's a knowledge that if there are any issues, succeed individually and collectively and case of giving him the confidence to concerns or problems that have someone how seriously they take riding for become more consistent and feel wanted to come and talk to. Eastbourne and how it does hurt them and comfortable enough to show it. If it's a riding issue then obviously it when they don't win. Richard is the ultimate professional, he gets delegated but if it's related to the That intensity is something we lacked in just comes and does his job and is an more mundane day-to-day stuff, finance, 2019, that's not being disrespectful to absolute pleasure to deal with on and off THERE’S A RIDER who could be No 1 in family, unexpected events then we want anyone at all, but this is professional sport the track. any team in the league. He is very everyone to know that support, help and where if you give an opponent an inch, He knows now how passionate under-rated, even still but he such a advice is there. they'll take a mile and we want to aim to Eastbourne supporters are and at times in talented rider. Richard is so smooth on a A particular example of that was when have the intensity that clubs like Glasgow, 2019 was blown away by it, I'd love bike. Covid hit. We gave them any help and Leicester and Redcar have and for our Richard to see out his CL career here at He came down to a practice session at advice we could about the various team to have the level that the likes of Arlington. Arlington and hadn’t sat on a bike for Government aid schemes for Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook and others Lewi is let's face it a "miracle man" in more than six months when we went to self-employed (which they all are), and have. terms of what has happened in his King’s Lynn last July. He looked like he had given my background in financial services That doesn't mean we can't have fun. Speedway career. 2019 was injury free, never been off the bike, right from his first for many decades, in some individual We will have fun and in Lewi Kerr and we all pray that 2021 will be the same and lap. He didn’t put a foot wrong and was circumstances to point them in the right mechanic Steve Norman (Stevo) we have his intensity and fitness and preparation is reeling off smooth laps right from the off. direction for help and guidance. two of life's great practical jokers, believe staggering, that's why we've made him He was putting the bike exactly where he That's unseen but little things like that me you have to be on your guard with Captain as he wants the responsibility wanted on the track. WHEN WE SAT DOWN in the final weeks adequate replacement at the time in The achilles heel of the 2019 side was have I feel bonded us in ways we could those pair around. and thrives off it. Richard is determined to get his nose in of 2019 to discuss the 2020 team, which Danyon Hume who we were keen to sign away form and that bought into focus a never have expected. I think with Edward it's a case of When Kyle joined us following Tom's front from the start and just seems to go is of course now the 2021 team, we were and who was keen to come to join us. particular phrase that is the mantra of In terms of each rider, we believe each helping him to believe in himself as much terrible accident he fitted in immediately. that little bit further into the first corner to keen to retain the core strength of the The fact that the suspension of my horse racing service: "if you can't can improve and we'll try to help them to as we believe in him. We all saw how he arrived with self make it his. If it means turning later and squad which had taken us to a Shield Final Georgie was requested by his then win, don't lose" (each way in horse do that. He retains a mercurial talent that would confidence at a low ebb but slowly giving someone a push, he will do it. – beating Glasgow in the semi-final – and NDL Club who at the time were the Isle racing) which in Speedway terms is the It's fascinating as a long-standing grace the GP stage. He showed that in improved and in the final weeks of the That’s what Speedway is all about. to the semi-final of the Knock-Out Cup of Wight, and had nothing to do with vital one point available to the away "people manager" to realise that whilst a season made significant improvement. He could have easily gone up to the where we were beaten over two legs his Championship and asset-holding team if they lose by six points or less. Speedway track might not be much like The ability is not in doubt and nor is the next level and been up with the Tai narrowly by the eventual winners Redcar. club Eastbourne, was even more Accumulation of much cherished an office desk, a production line or a retail application. Kyle has said he always felt Woffindens. Lewi is a good It still really does massively annoy and galling and frankly unfathomable away wins and running all clubs to outlet, there are striking similarities in he needed a "home", somewhere that he Edward is so However, that level is a whole new ball trapper, a good racer and frustrate all of the management team that even now. within six points if you can't win is vital terms of cajoling someone when they could build roots and a level of security. game in what you have to spend on we were not only denied the services of It's water under the bridge and that to reaching Play Offs. have a bad ride or meeting or a loss of He's found that at Arlington and I believe determined and doesn’t engines and tuners; everything really. good with the crowd Georgie Wood for the crucial home leg of period defined our desire to retain the We need to be going into Heats 14 confidence, encouraging others and yes, we can now reap the rewards of 2019 and He’ll have a good season. I was the semi-final of the KO Cup and final of core of the side but to seek greater and 15 at every away match seeking sometime a little kick up the backside and that Kyle can at last fulfil that undoubted like to get beaten. impressed by him in 2019. and supporters. the Championship Shield, but also an intensity and more balance. points everywhere. gee up. potential. FLYING HIGH 7

building we set out our stall and fought off numerous other clubs and were able to convince Drew that we could be a club that did all of that support and nurturing and give him scope to realise his potential that we have discussed above. The thing I like most about Drew is that he has actually come right out of his comfort blanket to come back to Arlington, a track he openly admits he doesn't like in terms of suiting his style. That speaks volumes for his mindset and ambition, a desire to work on his perceived weaknesses to improve overall. Tom has matured massively off the We all saw how competitive and track and fought back from that terrible passionate Drew is to win during the 2018 management – and that is that we have night. He's faced his demons at every season when he rode for Mildenhall, without doubt the most loyal, most stage of that process and come through that's just the attitude we want and we'll passionate, at times loudest and with incredible bravery and fortitude both do all we can to support him whilst he is intense supporters in Speedway. physically and mentally. with us. Drew is an Ipswich asset and has When the brilliant documentary that There have been plateaus and already made great strides in Poland and Glasgow Speedway did called "Into confidence losses along the way but as is another destined for the very top of the the Red" focuses on your PASSION the saying goes "what doesn't kill you Sport. then that's an incredible endorsement makes you stronger", and Tom is now I It's been a long wait, terribly frustrating from people brought up with Celtic v think in the best place he has ever been, at times worrying and financially very Rangers. It's taken as a compliment especially with opportunities at Belle Vue challenging but I know our Team is the and we want you to enjoy a great and Poland to become a world class best we could possibly have recruited and season and to create that atmosphere talent. will make the supporters proud. We also and to bring some silverware home in When we signed Jason in July 2019 it know one other thing – riders and the autumn. was seen as a risk and a gamble by some, too soon by others; and many of those know a lot more about Speedway than I do. However, it was at my instigation and very much part of a long -term plan. I'd seen this incredibly mature and talented kid in 2018, seen massive improvement in some NDL matches I saw in 2019 when Jason rode for Mildenhall and the vultures were circling and we needed to act. Jason for one so young bought that intensity that some in the 2019 team we felt lacked at the time. The key with any young rider is to understand their expectation, if you can get to the bottom that early you can stop them putting unnecessary expectations on themselves. This is part of the mental side of the Sport few see from the outside. If a young rider gets disappointed that the transition up a League is harder than they thought, it can quickly affect confidence. So, we work on that and it's a case of setting realistic expectations from the Club, they are invariably lower than their own expectations; but it's all about boosting and maintaining confidence and nurturing that precious talent and stressing over and over again that there is no pressure from us, merely a desire to help them to be as good as they can be. Jason is a long-term work in progress and with luck and good health, we're 100% sure he can go right to the very top of the Sport. It is going to be incredibly exciting to work with Drew and in terms of team work withDrew andinterms ofteam of theSport. 100% sure hecangorightto thevery top and withluckgoodhealth,we're help themto beasgoodtheycanbe. no pressure from us,merely adesire to stressing over andover againthatthere is nurturing thatprecious talentand boosting andmaintainingconfidence own expectations; butit'sallabout Club, theyare invariably lower thantheir setting realistic expectations from the can quicklyaffect confidence. up aLeague isharder thantheythought,it rider getsdisappointed thatthetransition Sport few seefrom theoutside. Ifayoung unnecessary expectations onthemselves. that earlyyou canstop themputting expectation, ifyou cangetto thebottom young rideristo understand their felt lacked atthetime. Thekey withany intensity thatsomeinthe2019team we needed to act. and thevultures were circling andwe in 2019whenJason rode for Mildenhall improvement insomeNDLmatches Isaw talented kidin2018,seenmassive very muchpartofalong-term plan. do. know alotmore aboutSpeedwaythanI too soon byothers; andmany ofthose was seenasariskandgamblebysome, talent. and Poland to becomeaworld class especially withopportunitiesatBelleVue think inthebestplacehehasever been, makes you stronger", andTom isnow I the sayinggoes"whatdoesn'tkillyou confidence losses alongthewaybutas physically and mentally. with incredible bravery andfortitude both stage ofthatprocess andcomethrough night. He'sfaced hisdemonsatevery track andfought backfrom thatterrible It isgoingto beincredibly exciting to Jason isalong-term work inprogress So, we work onthatandit'sacaseof This ispartofthementalside Jason for onesoyoung boughtthat I'd seenthisincredibly mature and However, itwasatmy instigationand When we signedJason inJuly2019it There have beenplateaus and Tom hasmatured massively offthe know oneotherthing–riders and will make thesupporters proud. We also best we couldpossibly have recruited and challenging butIknow ourTeam isthe at timesworrying andfinanciallyvery Sport. is anotherdestinedfor thevery top ofthe already madegreat stridesinPoland and with us.Drew isanIpswich asset andhas do allwe canto supporthimwhilstheis that's justtheattitude we wantandwe'll season whenherode for Mildenhall, passionate Drew isto winduringthe2018 perceived weaknesses to improve overall. ambition, adesire to work onhis doesn't like in terms ofsuitinghisstyle. Arlington, atrack heopenlyadmits comfort blanket to comebackto he hasactuallycomerightoutofhis that we have discussed above. and give himscopeto realise hispotential that didallofsupportand nurturing convince Drew thatwe couldbeaclub numerous otherclubsandwere ableto building we set outourstallandfought off It's beenalongwait,terribly frustrating We allsawhow competitive and That speaksvolumes for hismindsetand The thingIlike mostaboutDrew isthat the autumn. and to bringsomesilverware homein season andto create thatatmosphere and we wantyou to enjoyagreat Rangers. It'staken asacompliment from peoplebrought upwithCeltic v then that'sanincredible endorsement the Red" focuses onyour PASSION Glasgow Speedwaydidcalled"Into intense supporters inSpeedway. passionate, attimesloudestand without doubtthemostloyal, management –andthatiswe have When thebrilliantdocumentarythat 8 FLYING HIGH Mike Hinves that determination to getto thetop. GPs inthenext few years. can well seeTom getting to theSpeedway the ranks. Hehasalways impressed andI the juniortracks andhehascomethrough here atEastbourne, from goinground on getting goodadviceallround. Billy HamillandGreg Hancock.Heis girlfriend’s father, whowasinvolved with also hasadvicefrom Craig Cummins,his given to him byMartinDugard andnow Team GB.Hehasbenefited from thehelp this year training andheiswell inwith to dowell. Tom hasbeenoutinPoland HE ISWORKING HARDanddetermined Trevor Geertalks about‘Myteam’ to thetop. Tom has good that determination to get racing brain andhehas Tom hasgoodracing brain andhehas We have seenTom’s career develop TOM BRENNAN leaders. pushing ourthree heat At theendof 2019hewas Speedway isall certainly thrives onthat. about confidenceandKyle leaders. 2019 hewaspushing ourthree heat Kyle certainlythrives onthat.At theendof on. he gotbetter andbetter astheyear went a goodrelationship withhimandin2019 he lives down atPoole. Ihave always had Eastbourne, hejumpedatit,even though racing. I don’t thinkhewasreally enjoyinghis was having injuryandmachineproblems. when we camebackinto thisleagueand coming to Eastbourne. would be agoodguestfor us.Heloves while we were intheElite League, Kyle I HAVE KNOWN HIMfor years. Allthe Speedway isallaboutconfidence and When we mentionedaboutcomingto He wasridingatBirminghamin2019 KYLE NEWMAN commitment. dedication and everything abouthis and that tells me Jasonhasdone against goodopposition well inbigmeetings reserve for usto have. reserve berthbutheisareally good could well struggleto getoutofthe done well. many meetingsashecanget.Hehas commitment. everything abouthisdedicationand against goodoppositionandthattells me person. Hehasdonewell inbigmeetings to thetrack, heisacompletely different he doesn’t have acare inaworld. chatting awayto peopleandsmilingasif real pressure oninameeting,heis talks to everybody. Even whenthere is He always hasasmileonhisface, and YOU WOULD NEVERthinkhe wasaracer. This seasonheisinastrong team and Jason thrives onridingandheneedsas Put himonabike andpushhimouton JASON EDWARDS the Championship Shield,butalsoan the semi-finalof theKO Cupandfinal of Georgie Wood for thecrucialhomelegof we were notonlydeniedthe servicesof frustrate allofthemanagementteam that narrowly bytheeventual winners Redcar. where we were beaten over two legs to thesemi-finalofKnock-Out Cup – beatingGlasgow inthesemi-final–and squad whichhadtaken usto aShield Final keen to retain thecore strength ofthe is ofcourse now the2021team, we were of 2019to discuss the2020team, which WHEN WESAT DOWN inthefinalweeks It stillreally doesmassively annoyand intensity andmore balance. core ofthesidebutto seek greater period definedourdesire to retain the even now. galling andfrankly unfathomable club Eastbourne, waseven more his Championshipandasset-holding of Wight, andhadnothingto dowith NDL Clubwhoatthetimewere theIsle Georgie wasrequested byhisthen and whowaskeen to cometo joinus. Danyon Humewhowe were keen to sign adequate replacement atthetimein It's water underthebridgeandthat The fact thatthesuspensionof points everywhere. and 15atevery away match seeking to reaching PlayOffs. within sixpointsifyou can'twinisvital away winsandrunningallclubs to team iftheylosebysixpointsorless. vital onepointavailable to theaway racing) whichinSpeedwayterms isthe win, don'tlose"(each wayinhorse my horse racing service: "ifyou can't particular phrase thatisthemantra of away form and thatboughtinto focus a We needto begoinginto Heats14 Accumulation ofmuchcherished The achillesheelofthe2019sidewas gee up. sometime alittle kick upthebacksideand confidence, encouraging others andyes, have abadrideormeetingloss of terms ofcajolingsomeonewhenthey outlet, there are strikingsimilaritiesin an officedesk,aproduction lineoraretail Speedway track mightnotbemuchlike "people manager"to realise thatwhilsta do that. can improve andwe'll tryto helpthemto never have expected. have Ifeel bondedusinways we could direction for helpandguidance. circumstances to pointthemintheright for many decades,insomeindividual given my background infinancialservices self-employed (whichtheyallare), and Government aid schemesfor advice we couldaboutthevarious Covid hit.We gave themany helpand advice isthere. everyone to know thatsupport,helpand family, unexpected events thenwe want more mundaneday-to-day stuff, finance, gets delegated butifit'srelated to the to come andtalkto. concerns orproblems thathave someone knowledge thatifthere are any issues, feel secure andcomfortable inthe deciders. Myfocus isto make theguys of battle willwinusthoselastheat cliques andno"themus"mentality. with eachother, nolanguagebarriers, no changes to thedeclared 1-7. have we ever thoughtaboutmaking know thattheyare our"first picks”. collectively. learn together individuallyand when we lose, we loseasateam and togetherness. confidence" andalsoteam bondingand working withtheguys on"mindsetand them upto succeedinevery waywe can; tick, onandoffthetrack. also understand whatmakes eachrider I thinkit'salsovitallyimportantthatwe the ridingqualitiesofeachteam member, It's fascinating asalong-standing In terms ofeachrider, we believe each That's unseenbutlittle thingslike that A particularexample ofthatwaswhen If it'saridingissue thenobviously it Bonding andtogetherness intheheat They are allBritish,theygetonwell They allare andatnopointsince2019 It's important,therefore, thattheguys We neednotonlywinasateam, but As aclub, we needdoallwe canto set Whilst Trevor hasperfectly explained grace theGPstage. Heshowed thatin as we believe inhim. helping himto believe inhimselfasmuch those pairaround. me you have to beonyour guard with two oflife's great practical jokers, believe mechanic Steve Norman(Stevo) we have We willhave funandinLewi Kerr and have. Scott Nicholls,Craig Cook andothers team to have thelevel that thelikes of Leicester andRedcar have andfor our have theintensity thatclubslike Glasgow, they'll take amileandwe wantto aimto where ifyou give anopponentinch, anyone atall,butthisisprofessional sport 2019, that'snotbeingdisrespectful to when theydon'twin. Eastbourne andhow itdoeshurtthem how seriouslytheytake ridingfor succeed individuallyandcollectively and how passionate allofourguys are to He retains amercurial talentthatwould I thinkwithEdward it'sacaseof That doesn'tmeanwe can'thave fun. That intensity issomethingwe lacked in What strikes memostofallthoughis potential. that Kyle canatlastfulfilthatundoubted we cannow reap therewards of2019and He's found thatatArlington andIbelieve could buildroots andalevel ofsecurity. he neededa"home",somewhere thathe application. Kyle hassaidhealways felt season madesignificantimprovement. improved andinthefinal weeks ofthe confidence atalow ebbbutslowly We allsawhow hearrived withself terrible accidenthefitted inimmediately. and thrives offit. Captain ashewantstheresponsibility staggering, that'swhy we've madehim his intensity andfitness andpreparation is we allpray that2021willbethesameand Speedway career. 2019wasinjuryfree, terms ofwhathashappenedinhis Arlington. Richard to seeouthisCLcareer here at 2019 wasblown awaybyit,I'dlove Eastbourne supporters are andattimesin the track. absolute pleasure to dealwithonandoff just comesanddoeshisjobisan and comfortable enoughto show it. become more consistent andfeel wanted case ofgivinghimtheconfidenceto heat 15ofthecupmatch atLeicester. It'sa glimpses in2019andnever more than The abilityisnotindoubtand nor isthe When Kyle joinedusfollowing Tom's Lewi islet'sface ita"miracle man"in He knows now how passionate Richard istheultimate professional, he DREW KEMP

Practising at Whilst Trevor has perfectly explained the riding qualities of each team member, Arlington Drew was superb I think it's also vitally important that we also understand what makes each rider while some of the others tick, on and off the track. were struggling with the As a club, we need do all we can to set them up to succeed in every way we can; conditions. He just made it working with the guys on "mindset and confidence" and also team bonding and look easy. togetherness. We need not only win as a team, but when we lose, we lose as a team and learn together individually and collectively. It's important, therefore, that the guys know that they are our "first picks”. They all are and at no point since 2019 have we ever thought about making changes to the declared 1-7. They are all British, they get on well with each other, no language barriers, no cliques and no "them and us" mentality. Bonding and togetherness in the heat of battle will win us those last heat deciders. My focus is to make the guys What strikes me most of all though is glimpses in 2019 and never more than feel secure and comfortable in the how passionate all of our guys are to heat 15 of the cup match at Leicester. It's a knowledge that if there are any issues, succeed individually and collectively and case of giving him the confidence to concerns or problems that have someone how seriously they take riding for become more consistent and feel wanted to come and talk to. Eastbourne and how it does hurt them and comfortable enough to show it. If it's a riding issue then obviously it when they don't win. Richard is the ultimate professional, he gets delegated but if it's related to the That intensity is something we lacked in just comes and does his job and is an more mundane day-to-day stuff, finance, 2019, that's not being disrespectful to absolute pleasure to deal with on and off family, unexpected events then we want anyone at all, but this is professional sport the track. everyone to know that support, help and where if you give an opponent an inch, He knows now how passionate advice is there. they'll take a mile and we want to aim to Eastbourne supporters are and at times in A particular example of that was when have the intensity that clubs like Glasgow, 2019 was blown away by it, I'd love Covid hit. We gave them any help and Leicester and Redcar have and for our Richard to see out his CL career here at advice we could about the various team to have the level that the likes of Arlington. Government aid schemes for Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook and others Lewi is let's face it a "miracle man" in self-employed (which they all are), and have. terms of what has happened in his given my background in financial services That doesn't mean we can't have fun. Speedway career. 2019 was injury free, for many decades, in some individual We will have fun and in Lewi Kerr and we all pray that 2021 will be the same and circumstances to point them in the right mechanic Steve Norman (Stevo) we have his intensity and fitness and preparation is direction for help and guidance. two of life's great practical jokers, believe staggering, that's why we've made him I DON’T THINK THERE will be a better That's unseen but little things like that me you have to be on your guard with Captain as he wants the responsibility reserve in the league than Drew. He is WHEN WE SAT DOWN in the final weeks adequate replacement at the time in The achilles heel of the 2019 side was have I feel bonded us in ways we could those pair around. and thrives off it. looking awesome at the practice sessions. of 2019 to discuss the 2020 team, which Danyon Hume who we were keen to sign away form and that bought into focus a never have expected. I think with Edward it's a case of When Kyle joined us following Tom's He looks the part in all aspects of being is of course now the 2021 team, we were and who was keen to come to join us. particular phrase that is the mantra of In terms of each rider, we believe each helping him to believe in himself as much terrible accident he fitted in immediately. a Speedway rider. keen to retain the core strength of the The fact that the suspension of my horse racing service: "if you can't can improve and we'll try to help them to as we believe in him. We all saw how he arrived with self Drew has superb style, trains hard and And finally squad which had taken us to a Shield Final Georgie was requested by his then win, don't lose" (each way in horse do that. He retains a mercurial talent that would confidence at a low ebb but slowly is destined for the top. We are fortunate The reserves will be our strong point – beating Glasgow in the semi-final – and NDL Club who at the time were the Isle racing) which in Speedway terms is the It's fascinating as a long-standing grace the GP stage. He showed that in improved and in the final weeks of the to have him at Eastbourne. throughout the season and I think we are to the semi-final of the Knock-Out Cup of Wight, and had nothing to do with vital one point available to the away "people manager" to realise that whilst a season made significant improvement. I know he has had the benefit this year the envy of every team in the league where we were beaten over two legs his Championship and asset-holding team if they lose by six points or less. Speedway track might not be much like The ability is not in doubt and nor is the of a spell out in Poland but practising at starting off for being an all-British team, narrowly by the eventual winners Redcar. club Eastbourne, was even more Accumulation of much cherished an office desk, a production line or a retail application. Kyle has said he always felt Arlington he was superb while some of our strength in depth and for our It still really does massively annoy and galling and frankly unfathomable away wins and running all clubs to outlet, there are striking similarities in he needed a "home", somewhere that he the others were struggling with the reserves. frustrate all of the management team that even now. within six points if you can't win is vital terms of cajoling someone when they could build roots and a level of security. conditions. He just made it look easy. There are some really good No 1s in the we were not only denied the services of It's water under the bridge and that to reaching Play Offs. have a bad ride or meeting or a loss of He's found that at Arlington and I believe On one occasion, I think he could well other teams in the Championship and I Georgie Wood for the crucial home leg of period defined our desire to retain the We need to be going into Heats 14 confidence, encouraging others and yes, we can now reap the rewards of 2019 and have been the quickest of everyone who think we will see some really good racing the semi-final of the KO Cup and final of core of the side but to seek greater and 15 at every away match seeking sometime a little kick up the backside and that Kyle can at last fulfil that undoubted

was there. at Arlington this season. Hinves Mike the Championship Shield, but also an intensity and more balance. points everywhere. gee up. potential.

FLYING HIGH 9

building we set out our stall and fought off numerous other clubs and were able to convince Drew that we could be a club that did all of that support and nurturing and give him scope to realise his potential that we have discussed above. The thing I like most about Drew is that he has actually come right out of his comfort blanket to come back to Arlington, a track he openly admits he doesn't like in terms of suiting his style. That speaks volumes for his mindset and ambition, a desire to work on his perceived weaknesses to improve overall. Tom has matured massively off the We all saw how competitive and track and fought back from that terrible passionate Drew is to win during the 2018 management – and that is that we have night. He's faced his demons at every season when he rode for Mildenhall, without doubt the most loyal, most stage of that process and come through that's just the attitude we want and we'll passionate, at times loudest and with incredible bravery and fortitude both do all we can to support him whilst he is intense supporters in Speedway. physically and mentally. with us. Drew is an Ipswich asset and has When the brilliant documentary that There have been plateaus and already made great strides in Poland and Glasgow Speedway did called "Into confidence losses along the way but as is another destined for the very top of the the Red" focuses on your PASSION the saying goes "what doesn't kill you Sport. then that's an incredible endorsement makes you stronger", and Tom is now I It's been a long wait, terribly frustrating from people brought up with Celtic v think in the best place he has ever been, at times worrying and financially very Rangers. It's taken as a compliment especially with opportunities at Belle Vue challenging but I know our Team is the and we want you to enjoy a great and Poland to become a world class best we could possibly have recruited and season and to create that atmosphere talent. will make the supporters proud. We also and to bring some silverware home in When we signed Jason in July 2019 it know one other thing – riders and the autumn. was seen as a risk and a gamble by some, too soon by others; and many of those know a lot more about Speedway than I do. However, it was at my instigation and very much part of a long -term plan. I'd seen this incredibly mature and talented kid in 2018, seen massive improvement in some NDL matches I saw in 2019 when Jason rode for Mildenhall and the vultures were circling and we needed to act. Jason for one so young bought that intensity that some in the 2019 team we felt lacked at the time. The key with any young rider is to understand their expectation, if you can get to the bottom that early you can stop them putting unnecessary expectations on themselves. This is part of the mental side of the Sport few see from the outside. If a young rider gets disappointed that the transition up a League is harder than they thought, it can quickly affect confidence. So, we work on that and it's a case of setting realistic expectations from the Club, they are invariably lower than their own expectations; but it's all about boosting and maintaining confidence and nurturing that precious talent and stressing over and over again that there is no pressure from us, merely a desire to help them to be as good as they can be. Jason is a long-term work in progress and with luck and good health, we're 100% sure he can go right to the very top of the Sport. It is going to be incredibly exciting to work with Drew and in terms of team work withDrew andinterms ofteam of theSport. 100% sure hecangorightto thevery top and withluckgoodhealth,we're help themto beasgoodtheycanbe. no pressure from us,merely adesire to stressing over andover againthatthere is nurturing thatprecious talentand boosting andmaintainingconfidence own expectations; butit'sallabout Club, theyare invariably lower thantheir setting realistic expectations from the can quicklyaffect confidence. up aLeague isharder thantheythought,it rider getsdisappointed thatthetransition Sport few seefrom theoutside. Ifayoung unnecessary expectations onthemselves. that earlyyou canstop themputting expectation, ifyou cangetto thebottom young rideristo understand their felt lacked atthetime. Thekey withany intensity thatsomeinthe2019team we needed to act. and thevultures were circling andwe in 2019whenJason rode for Mildenhall improvement insomeNDLmatches Isaw talented kidin2018,seenmassive very muchpartofalong-term plan. do. know alotmore aboutSpeedwaythanI too soon byothers; andmany ofthose was seenasariskandgamblebysome, talent. and Poland to becomeaworld class especially withopportunitiesatBelleVue think inthebestplacehehasever been, makes you stronger", and Tom isnow I the sayinggoes"whatdoesn'tkillyou confidence losses alongthewaybutas physically and mentally. with incredible bravery andfortitude both stage ofthatprocess andcomethrough night. He'sfaced hisdemonsatevery track andfought backfrom thatterrible It isgoingto beincredibly exciting to Jason isalong-term work inprogress So, we work onthatandit'sacaseof This ispartofthementalside Jason for onesoyoung boughtthat I'd seenthisincredibly mature and However, itwasatmy instigation and When we signedJason inJuly2019it There have beenplateaus and Tom hasmatured massively offthe know oneotherthing–riders and will make thesupporters proud. We also best we couldpossibly have recruited and challenging butIknow ourTeam isthe at timesworrying andfinanciallyvery Sport. is anotherdestinedfor thevery top ofthe already madegreat stridesinPoland and with us.Drew isanIpswich asset andhas do allwe canto supporthimwhilstheis that's justtheattitude we wantandwe'll season whenherode for Mildenhall, passionate Drew isto winduringthe2018 perceived weaknesses to improve overall. ambition, adesire to work onhis doesn't like in terms ofsuitinghisstyle. Arlington, atrack heopenlyadmits comfort blanket to comebackto he hasactuallycomerightoutofhis that we have discussed above. and give himscopeto realise hispotential that didallofsupportand nurturing convince Drew thatwe couldbeaclub numerous otherclubsandwere ableto building we set outourstallandfought off It's beenalongwait,terribly frustrating We allsawhow competitive and That speaksvolumes for hismindsetand The thingIlike mostaboutDrew isthat the autumn. and to bringsomesilverware homein season andto create thatatmosphere and we wantyou to enjoyagreat Rangers. It'staken asacompliment from peoplebrought upwithCeltic v then that'sanincredible endorsement the Red" focuses onyour PASSION Glasgow Speedwaydidcalled"Into intense supporters inSpeedway. passionate, attimesloudestand without doubtthemostloyal, management –andthatiswe have When thebrilliantdocumentarythat 10 FLYING HIGH success Eagles for up the are setting How we the Championship Shield,butalsoan the semi-finalof theKO Cupandfinal of Georgie Wood for thecrucialhomelegof we were notonlydeniedthe servicesof frustrate allofthemanagementteam that narrowly bytheeventual winners Redcar. where we were beaten over two legs to thesemi-finalofKnock-Out Cup – beatingGlasgow inthesemi-final–and squad whichhadtaken usto aShield Final keen to retain thecore strength ofthe is ofcourse now the2021team, we were of 2019to discuss the2020team, which WHEN WESAT DOWN inthefinalweeks individually andasateam rider to findsuccess how theclubmanages the 2021Eaglesexplaining gives furtherinsightsinto Club director IanJordan It stillreally doesmassively annoyand Flying HighFeature intensity andmore balance. core ofthesidebutto seek greater period definedourdesire to retain the even now. galling andfrankly unfathomable club Eastbourne, waseven more his Championshipandasset-holding of Wight, andhadnothingto dowith NDL Clubwhoatthetimewere theIsle Georgie wasrequested byhisthen and whowaskeen to cometo joinus. Danyon Humewhowe were keen to sign adequate replacement atthetimein It's water under thebridgeandthat The fact thatthesuspensionof points everywhere. and 15atevery away match seeking to reaching PlayOffs. within sixpointsifyou can'twinisvital away winsandrunningallclubs to team iftheylosebysixpointsorless. vital onepointavailable to theaway racing) whichinSpeedwayterms isthe win, don'tlose"(each wayinhorse my horse racing service: "ifyou can't particular phrase thatisthemantra of away form and thatboughtinto focus a We needto begoinginto Heats14 Accumulation ofmuchcherished The achillesheelofthe2019sidewas

Mike Hinves gee up. sometime alittle kick upthebacksideand confidence, encouraging others andyes, have abadrideormeetingloss of terms ofcajolingsomeonewhenthey outlet, there are strikingsimilaritiesin an officedesk,aproduction lineoraretail Speedway track mightnotbemuchlike "people manager"to realise thatwhilsta do that. can improve andwe'll tryto helpthemto never have expected. have Ifeel bondedusinways we could direction for helpandguidance. circumstances to pointthemintheright for many decades,insomeindividual given my background infinancialservices self-employed (whichtheyallare), and Government aid schemesfor advice we couldaboutthevarious Covid hit.We gave themany helpand advice isthere. everyone to know thatsupport,helpand family, unexpected events thenwe want more mundaneday-to-day stuff, finance, gets delegated butifit'srelated to the to come andtalkto. concerns orproblems thathave someone knowledge thatifthere are any issues, feel secure andcomfortable inthe deciders. Myfocus isto make theguys of battle willwinusthoselastheat cliques andno"themus"mentality. with eachother, nolanguagebarriers, no changes to thedeclared 1-7. have we ever thoughtaboutmaking know thattheyare our"first picks”. collectively. learn together individuallyand when we lose, we loseasateam and togetherness. confidence" andalsoteam bondingand working withtheguys on"mindsetand them upto succeedinevery waywe can; tick, onandoffthetrack. also understand whatmakes eachrider I thinkit'salsovitallyimportantthatwe the ridingqualitiesofeachteam member, It's fascinating asalong-standing In terms ofeachrider, we believe each That's unseenbutlittle thingslike that A particularexample ofthatwaswhen If it'saridingissue thenobviously it Bonding andtogetherness intheheat They are allBritish,theygetonwell They allare andatnopointsince2019 It's important,therefore, thattheguys We neednotonlywinasateam, but As aclub, we needdoallwe canto set Whilst Trevor hasperfectly explained grace theGPstage. Heshowed thatin as we believe inhim. helping himto believe inhimselfasmuch those pairaround. me you have to beonyour guard with two oflife's great practical jokers, believe mechanic Steve Norman(Stevo) we have We willhave funandinLewi Kerr and have. Scott Nicholls,Craig Cook andothers team to have thelevel that thelikes of Leicester andRedcar have andfor our have theintensity thatclubslike Glasgow, they'll take amileandwe wantto aimto where ifyou give anopponentinch, anyone atall,butthisisprofessional sport 2019, that'snotbeingdisrespectful to when theydon'twin. Eastbourne andhow itdoeshurtthem how seriouslytheytake ridingfor succeed individuallyandcollectively and how passionate allofourguys are to He retains amercurial talentthatwould I thinkwithEdward it'sacaseof That doesn'tmeanwe can'thave fun. That intensity issomethingwe lacked in What strikes memostofallthoughis potential. that Kyle canatlastfulfilthatundoubted we cannow reap therewards of2019and He's found thatatArlington andIbelieve could buildroots andalevel ofsecurity. he neededa"home",somewhere thathe application. Kyle hassaidhealways felt season madesignificantimprovement. improved andinthefinal weeks ofthe confidence atalow ebbbutslowly We allsawhow hearrived withself terrible accidenthefitted inimmediately. and thrives offit. Captain ashewantstheresponsibility staggering, that'swhy we've madehim his intensity andfitness andpreparation is we allpray that2021willbethesameand Speedway career. 2019wasinjuryfree, terms ofwhathashappenedinhis Arlington. Richard to seeouthisCLcareer here at 2019 wasblown awaybyit,I'dlove Eastbourne supporters are andattimesin the track. absolute pleasure to dealwithonandoff just comesanddoeshisjobisan and comfortable enoughto show it. become more consistent andfeel wanted case ofgivinghimtheconfidenceto heat 15ofthecupmatch atLeicester. It'sa glimpses in2019andnever more than The abilityisnotindoubtand nor isthe When Kyle joinedusfollowing Tom's Lewi islet'sface ita"miracle man"in He knows now how passionate Richard istheultimate professional, he The achilles heel of the 2019 side was away form.

Whilst Trevor has perfectly explained the riding qualities of each team member, I think it's also vitally important that we also understand what makes each rider tick, on and off the track. As a club, we need do all we can to set them up to succeed in every way we can; working with the guys on "mindset and confidence" and also team bonding and togetherness. We need not only win as a team, but when we lose, we lose as a team and learn together individually and collectively. It's important, therefore, that the guys know that they are our "first picks”. They all are and at no point since 2019 have we ever thought about making changes to the declared 1-7. They are all British, they get on well with each other, no language barriers, no cliques and no "them and us" mentality. Bonding and togetherness in the heat Hinves Mike Drew Kemp and Lewi Kerr practicing starts at Arlington last month. of battle will win us those last heat deciders. My focus is to make the guys What strikes me most of all though is glimpses in 2019 and never more than feel secure and comfortable in the how passionate all of our guys are to heat 15 of the cup match at Leicester. It's a knowledge that if there are any issues, succeed individually and collectively and case of giving him the confidence to concerns or problems that have someone how seriously they take riding for become more consistent and feel wanted to come and talk to. Eastbourne and how it does hurt them and comfortable enough to show it. If it's a riding issue then obviously it when they don't win. Richard is the ultimate professional, he gets delegated but if it's related to the That intensity is something we lacked in just comes and does his job and is an more mundane day-to-day stuff, finance, 2019, that's not being disrespectful to absolute pleasure to deal with on and off family, unexpected events then we want anyone at all, but this is professional sport the track. everyone to know that support, help and where if you give an opponent an inch, He knows now how passionate advice is there. they'll take a mile and we want to aim to Eastbourne supporters are and at times in A particular example of that was when have the intensity that clubs like Glasgow, 2019 was blown away by it, I'd love Covid hit. We gave them any help and Leicester and Redcar have and for our Richard to see out his CL career here at advice we could about the various team to have the level that the likes of Arlington. Government aid schemes for Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook and others Lewi is let's face it a "miracle man" in self-employed (which they all are), and have. terms of what has happened in his given my background in financial services That doesn't mean we can't have fun. Speedway career. 2019 was injury free, for many decades, in some individual We will have fun and in Lewi Kerr and we all pray that 2021 will be the same and circumstances to point them in the right mechanic Steve Norman (Stevo) we have his intensity and fitness and preparation is direction for help and guidance. two of life's great practical jokers, believe staggering, that's why we've made him That's unseen but little things like that me you have to be on your guard with Captain as he wants the responsibility WHEN WE SAT DOWN in the final weeks adequate replacement at the time in The achilles heel of the 2019 side was have I feel bonded us in ways we could those pair around. and thrives off it. of 2019 to discuss the 2020 team, which Danyon Hume who we were keen to sign away form and that bought into focus a never have expected. I think with Edward it's a case of When Kyle joined us following Tom's is of course now the 2021 team, we were and who was keen to come to join us. particular phrase that is the mantra of In terms of each rider, we believe each helping him to believe in himself as much terrible accident he fitted in immediately. keen to retain the core strength of the The fact that the suspension of my horse racing service: "if you can't can improve and we'll try to help them to as we believe in him. We all saw how he arrived with self squad which had taken us to a Shield Final Georgie was requested by his then win, don't lose" (each way in horse do that. He retains a mercurial talent that would confidence at a low ebb but slowly – beating Glasgow in the semi-final – and NDL Club who at the time were the Isle racing) which in Speedway terms is the It's fascinating as a long-standing grace the GP stage. He showed that in improved and in the final weeks of the to the semi-final of the Knock-Out Cup of Wight, and had nothing to do with vital one point available to the away "people manager" to realise that whilst a season made significant improvement. where we were beaten over two legs his Championship and asset-holding team if they lose by six points or less. Speedway track might not be much like The ability is not in doubt and nor is the narrowly by the eventual winners Redcar. club Eastbourne, was even more Accumulation of much cherished an office desk, a production line or a retail application. Kyle has said he always felt It still really does massively annoy and galling and frankly unfathomable away wins and running all clubs to outlet, there are striking similarities in Lewi is let's face he needed a "home", somewhere that he frustrate all of the management team that even now. within six points if you can't win is vital terms of cajoling someone when they it a "miracle man" in terms could build roots and a level of security. we were not only denied the services of It's water under the bridge and that to reaching Play Offs. have a bad ride or meeting or a loss of He's found that at Arlington and I believe Georgie Wood for the crucial home leg of period defined our desire to retain the We need to be going into Heats 14 confidence, encouraging others and yes, of what has happened in his we can now reap the rewards of 2019 and the semi-final of the KO Cup and final of core of the side but to seek greater and 15 at every away match seeking sometime a little kick up the backside and that Kyle can at last fulfil that undoubted the Championship Shield, but also an intensity and more balance. points everywhere. gee up. Speedway career. potential.

FLYING HIGH 11

building we set out our stall and fought off numerous other clubs and were able to convince Drew that we could be a club that did all of that support and nurturing and give him scope to realise his potential that we have discussed above. The thing I like most about Drew is that he has actually come right out of his comfort blanket to come back to Arlington, a track he openly admits he doesn't like in terms of suiting his style. That speaks volumes for his mindset and ambition, a desire to work on his perceived weaknesses to improve overall. Tom has matured massively off the We all saw how competitive and track and fought back from that terrible passionate Drew is to win during the 2018 management – and that is that we have night. He's faced his demons at every season when he rode for Mildenhall, without doubt the most loyal, most stage of that process and come through that's just the attitude we want and we'll passionate, at times loudest and with incredible bravery and fortitude both do all we can to support him whilst he is intense supporters in Speedway. physically and mentally. with us. Drew is an Ipswich asset and has When the brilliant documentary that There have been plateaus and already made great strides in Poland and Glasgow Speedway did called "Into confidence losses along the way but as is another destined for the very top of the the Red" focuses on your PASSION the saying goes "what doesn't kill you Sport. then that's an incredible endorsement makes you stronger", and Tom is now I It's been a long wait, terribly frustrating from people brought up with Celtic v think in the best place he has ever been, at times worrying and financially very Rangers. It's taken as a compliment especially with opportunities at Belle Vue challenging but I know our Team is the and we want you to enjoy a great and Poland to become a world class best we could possibly have recruited and season and to create that atmosphere talent. will make the supporters proud. We also and to bring some silverware home in When we signed Jason in July 2019 it know one other thing – riders and the autumn. was seen as a risk and a gamble by some, too soon by others; and many of those know a lot more about Speedway than I do. However, it was at my instigation and very much part of a long -term plan. I'd seen this incredibly mature and talented kid in 2018, seen massive improvement in some NDL matches I saw in 2019 when Jason rode for Mildenhall and the vultures were circling and we needed to act. Jason for one so young bought that intensity that some in the 2019 team we felt lacked at the time. The key with any young rider is to understand their expectation, if you can get to the bottom that early you can stop them putting unnecessary expectations on themselves. This is part of the mental side of the Sport few see from the outside. If a young rider gets disappointed that the transition up a League is harder than they thought, it can quickly affect confidence. So, we work on that and it's a case of setting realistic expectations from the Club, they are invariably lower than their own expectations; but it's all about boosting and maintaining confidence and nurturing that precious talent and stressing over and over again that there is no pressure from us, merely a desire to help them to be as good as they can be. Jason is a long-term work in progress and with luck and good health, we're 100% sure he can go right to the very top of the Sport. It is going to be incredibly exciting to work with Drew and in terms of team THANKS TO THE HG AEROSPACE EAGLES RACE SUIT SPONSORS 2021

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Mobile Disco Eastbourne / Sussex

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12 FLYING HIGH Whilst Trevor has perfectly explained the riding qualities of each team member, I think it's also vitally important that we also understand what makes each rider tick, on and off the track. As a club, we need do all we can to set them up to succeed in every way we can; working with the guys on "mindset and confidence" and also team bonding and togetherness. We need not only win as a team, but when we lose, we lose as a team and learn together individually and collectively. It's important, therefore, that the guys know that they are our "first picks”. They all are and at no point since 2019 have we ever thought about making changes to the declared 1-7. They are all British, they get on well with each other, no language barriers, no cliques and no "them and us" mentality. Bonding and togetherness in the heat of battle will win us those last heat deciders. My focus is to make the guys What strikes me most of all though is glimpses in 2019 and never more than feel secure and comfortable in the how passionate all of our guys are to heat 15 of the cup match at Leicester. It's a knowledge that if there are any issues, succeed individually and collectively and case of giving him the confidence to concerns or problems that have someone how seriously they take riding for become more consistent and feel wanted to come and talk to. Eastbourne and how it does hurt them and comfortable enough to show it. If it's a riding issue then obviously it when they don't win. Richard is the ultimate professional, he gets delegated but if it's related to the That intensity is something we lacked in just comes and does his job and is an more mundane day-to-day stuff, finance, 2019, that's not being disrespectful to absolute pleasure to deal with on and off family, unexpected events then we want anyone at all, but this is professional sport the track. everyone to know that support, help and where if you give an opponent an inch, He knows now how passionate advice is there. they'll take a mile and we want to aim to Eastbourne supporters are and at times in A particular example of that was when have the intensity that clubs like Glasgow, 2019 was blown away by it, I'd love Covid hit. We gave them any help and Leicester and Redcar have and for our Richard to see out his CL career here at advice we could about the various team to have the level that the likes of Arlington. Government aid schemes for Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook and others Lewi is let's face it a "miracle man" in self-employed (which they all are), and have. terms of what has happened in his given my background in financial services That doesn't mean we can't have fun. Speedway career. 2019 was injury free, for many decades, in some individual We will have fun and in Lewi Kerr and we all pray that 2021 will be the same and circumstances to point them in the right mechanic Steve Norman (Stevo) we have his intensity and fitness and preparation is direction for help and guidance. two of life's great practical jokers, believe staggering, that's why we've made him That's unseen but little things like that me you have to be on your guard with Captain as he wants the responsibility WHEN WE SAT DOWN in the final weeks adequate replacement at the time in The achilles heel of the 2019 side was have I feel bonded us in ways we could those pair around. and thrives off it. of 2019 to discuss the 2020 team, which Danyon Hume who we were keen to sign away form and that bought into focus a never have expected. I think with Edward it's a case of When Kyle joined us following Tom's is of course now the 2021 team, we were and who was keen to come to join us. particular phrase that is the mantra of In terms of each rider, we believe each helping him to believe in himself as much terrible accident he fitted in immediately. keen to retain the core strength of the The fact that the suspension of my horse racing service: "if you can't can improve and we'll try to help them to as we believe in him. We all saw how he arrived with self squad which had taken us to a Shield Final Georgie was requested by his then win, don't lose" (each way in horse do that. He retains a mercurial talent that would confidence at a low ebb but slowly – beating Glasgow in the semi-final – and NDL Club who at the time were the Isle racing) which in Speedway terms is the It's fascinating as a long-standing grace the GP stage. He showed that in improved and in the final weeks of the to the semi-final of the Knock-Out Cup of Wight, and had nothing to do with vital one point available to the away "people manager" to realise that whilst a season made significant improvement. where we were beaten over two legs his Championship and asset-holding team if they lose by six points or less. Speedway track might not be much like The ability is not in doubt and nor is the narrowly by the eventual winners Redcar. club Eastbourne, was even more Accumulation of much cherished an office desk, a production line or a retail application. Kyle has said he always felt It still really does massively annoy and galling and frankly unfathomable away wins and running all clubs to outlet, there are striking similarities in he needed a "home", somewhere that he frustrate all of the management team that even now. within six points if you can't win is vital terms of cajoling someone when they could build roots and a level of security. we were not only denied the services of It's water under the bridge and that to reaching Play Offs. have a bad ride or meeting or a loss of He's found that at Arlington and I believe Georgie Wood for the crucial home leg of period defined our desire to retain the We need to be going into Heats 14 confidence, encouraging others and yes, we can now reap the rewards of 2019 and the semi-final of the KO Cup and final of core of the side but to seek greater and 15 at every away match seeking sometime a little kick up the backside and that Kyle can at last fulfil that undoubted the Championship Shield, but also an intensity and more balance. points everywhere. gee up. potential.

building we set out our stall and fought off numerous other clubs and were able to If a young rider convince Drew that we could be a club We also know one gets disappointed that the that did all of that support and nurturing other thing and that is that and give him scope to realise his potential transition up a League is that we have discussed above. we have without doubt the The thing I like most about Drew is that harder than they thought, he has actually come right out of his most loyal, most comfort blanket to come back to it can quickly aect Arlington, a track he openly admits he passionate, at times loudest doesn't like in terms of suiting his style. confidence. That speaks volumes for his mindset and and intense supporters in ambition, a desire to work on his perceived weaknesses to improve overall. Speedway. Tom has matured massively off the We all saw how competitive and track and fought back from that terrible passionate Drew is to win during the 2018 management – and that is that we have night. He's faced his demons at every season when he rode for Mildenhall, without doubt the most loyal, most stage of that process and come through that's just the attitude we want and we'll passionate, at times loudest and with incredible bravery and fortitude both do all we can to support him whilst he is intense supporters in Speedway. physically and mentally. with us. Drew is an Ipswich asset and has When the brilliant documentary that There have been plateaus and already made great strides in Poland and Glasgow Speedway did called "Into confidence losses along the way but as is another destined for the very top of the the Red" focuses on your PASSION the saying goes "what doesn't kill you Sport. then that's an incredible endorsement makes you stronger", and Tom is now I It's been a long wait, terribly frustrating from people brought up with Celtic v think in the best place he has ever been, at times worrying and financially very Rangers. It's taken as a compliment especially with opportunities at Belle Vue challenging but I know our Team is the and we want you to enjoy a great and Poland to become a world class best we could possibly have recruited and season and to create that atmosphere talent. will make the supporters proud. We also and to bring some silverware home in When we signed Jason in July 2019 it know one other thing – riders and the autumn. was seen as a risk and a gamble by some, too soon by others; and many of those know a lot more about Speedway than I do. However, it was at my instigation and very much part of a long -term plan. I'd seen this incredibly mature and talented kid in 2018, seen massive improvement in some NDL matches I saw in 2019 when Jason rode for Mildenhall and the vultures were circling and we needed to act. Jason for one so young bought that intensity that some in the 2019 team we felt lacked at the time. The key with any young rider is to understand their expectation, if you can get to the bottom that early you can stop them putting unnecessary expectations on themselves. This is part of the mental side of the Sport few see from the outside. If a young rider gets disappointed that the transition up a League is harder than they thought, it can quickly affect confidence. So, we work on that and it's a case of setting realistic expectations from the Club, they are invariably lower than their own expectations; but it's all about boosting and maintaining confidence and nurturing that precious talent and stressing over and over again that there is no pressure from us, merely a desire to help them to be as good as they can be. Jason is a long-term work in progress and with luck and good health, we're 100% sure he can go right to the very top of the Sport. It is going to be incredibly exciting to work with Drew and in terms of team Tom Brennan and Richarrd Lawson in action during practice.

FLYING HIGH 13 Whilst Trevor has perfectly explained the riding qualities of each team member, I think it's also vitally important that we also understand what makes each rider tick, on and off the track. As a club, we need do all we can to set them up to succeed in every way we can; working with the guys on "mindset and confidence" and also team bonding and togetherness. We need not only win as a team, but when we lose, we lose as a team and learn together individually and collectively. It's important, therefore, that the guys know that they are our "first picks”. They all are and at no point since 2019 have we ever thought about making changes to the declared 1-7. They are all British, they get on well with each other, no language barriers, no cliques and no "them and us" mentality. Bonding and togetherness in the heat of battle will win us those last heat deciders. My focus is to make the guys What strikes me most of all though is glimpses in 2019 and never more than feel secure and comfortable in the how passionate all of our guys are to heat 15 of the cup match at Leicester. It's a knowledge that if there are any issues, succeed individually and collectively and case of giving him the confidence to concerns or problems that have someone how seriously they take riding for become more consistent and feel wanted to come and talk to. Eastbourne and how it does hurt them and comfortable enough to show it. If it's a riding issue then obviously it when they don't win. Richard is the ultimate professional, he gets delegated but if it's related to the That intensity is something we lacked in just comes and does his job and is an more mundane day-to-day stuff, finance, 2019, that's not being disrespectful to absolute pleasure to deal with on and off family, unexpected events then we want anyone at all, but this is professional sport the track. everyone to know that support, help and where if you give an opponent an inch, He knows now how passionate advice is there. they'll take a mile and we want to aim to Eastbourne supporters are and at times in A particular example of that was when have the intensity that clubs like Glasgow, 2019 was blown away by it, I'd love Covid hit. We gave them any help and Leicester and Redcar have and for our Richard to see out his CL career here at advice we could about the various team to have the level that the likes of Arlington. Government aid schemes for Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook and others Lewi is let's face it a "miracle man" in self-employed (which they all are), and have. terms of what has happened in his given my background in financial services That doesn't mean we can't have fun. Speedway career. 2019 was injury free, for many decades, in some individual We will have fun and in Lewi Kerr and we all pray that 2021 will be the same and circumstances to point them in the right mechanic Steve Norman (Stevo) we have his intensity and fitness and preparation is direction for help and guidance. two of life's great practical jokers, believe staggering, that's why we've made him That's unseen but little things like that me you have to be on your guard with Captain as he wants the responsibility WHEN WE SAT DOWN in the final weeks adequate replacement at the time in The achilles heel of the 2019 side was have I feel bonded us in ways we could those pair around. and thrives off it. of 2019 to discuss the 2020 team, which Danyon Hume who we were keen to sign away form and that bought into focus a never have expected. I think with Edward it's a case of When Kyle joined us following Tom's is of course now the 2021 team, we were and who was keen to come to join us. particular phrase that is the mantra of In terms of each rider, we believe each helping him to believe in himself as much terrible accident he fitted in immediately. keen to retain the core strength of the The fact that the suspension of my horse racing service: "if you can't can improve and we'll try to help them to as we believe in him. We all saw how he arrived with self squad which had taken us to a Shield Final Georgie was requested by his then win, don't lose" (each way in horse do that. He retains a mercurial talent that would confidence at a low ebb but slowly – beating Glasgow in the semi-final – and NDL Club who at the time were the Isle racing) which in Speedway terms is the It's fascinating as a long-standing grace the GP stage. He showed that in improved and in the final weeks of the to the semi-final of the Knock-Out Cup of Wight, and had nothing to do with vital one point available to the away "people manager" to realise that whilst a season made significant improvement. where we were beaten over two legs his Championship and asset-holding team if they lose by six points or less. Speedway track might not be much like The ability is not in doubt and nor is the narrowly by the eventual winners Redcar. club Eastbourne, was even more Accumulation of much cherished an office desk, a production line or a retail application. Kyle has said he always felt It still really does massively annoy and galling and frankly unfathomable away wins and running all clubs to outlet, there are striking similarities in he needed a "home", somewhere that he frustrate all of the management team that even now. within six points if you can't win is vital terms of cajoling someone when they could build roots and a level of security. we were not only denied the services of It's water under the bridge and that to reaching Play Offs. have a bad ride or meeting or a loss of He's found that at Arlington and I believe Georgie Wood for the crucial home leg of period defined our desire to retain the We need to be going into Heats 14 confidence, encouraging others and yes, we can now reap the rewards of 2019 and the semi-final of the KO Cup and final of core of the side but to seek greater and 15 at every away match seeking sometime a little kick up the backside and that Kyle can at last fulfil that undoubted the Championship Shield, but also an intensity and more balance. points everywhere. gee up. potential.

building we set out our stall and fought off numerous other clubs and were able to convince Drew that we could be a club that did all of that support and nurturing and give him scope to realise his potential that we have discussed above. The thing I like most about Drew is that he has actually come right out of his comfort blanket to come back to Arlington, a track he openly admits he doesn't like in terms of suiting his style. That speaks volumes for his mindset and ambition, a desire to work on his perceived weaknesses to improve overall. Tom has matured massively off the We all saw how competitive and track and fought back from that terrible passionate Drew is to win during the 2018 management – and that is that we have night. He's faced his demons at every season when he rode for Mildenhall, without doubt the most loyal, most stage of that process and come through that's just the attitude we want and we'll passionate, at times loudest and with incredible bravery and fortitude both do all we can to support him whilst he is intense supporters in Speedway. physically and mentally. with us. Drew is an Ipswich asset and has When the brilliant documentary that There have been plateaus and already made great strides in Poland and Glasgow Speedway did called "Into confidence losses along the way but as is another destined for the very top of the the Red" focuses on your PASSION the saying goes "what doesn't kill you Sport. then that's an incredible endorsement makes you stronger", and Tom is now I It's been a long wait, terribly frustrating from people brought up with Celtic v think in the best place he has ever been, at times worrying and financially very Rangers. It's taken as a compliment especially with opportunities at Belle Vue challenging but I know our Team is the and we want you to enjoy a great and Poland to become a world class best we could possibly have recruited and season and to create that atmosphere talent. will make the supporters proud. We also and to bring some silverware home in When we signed Jason in July 2019 it know one other thing – riders and the autumn. was seen as a risk and a gamble by some, too soon by others; and many of those know a lot more about Speedway than I do. However, it was at my instigation and very much part of a long -term plan. I'd seen this incredibly mature and talented kid in 2018, seen massive improvement in some NDL matches I saw in 2019 when Jason rode for Mildenhall and the vultures were circling and we needed to act. Jason for one so young bought that intensity that some in the 2019 team we felt lacked at the time. The key with any young rider is to understand their expectation, if you can get to the bottom that early you can stop them putting unnecessary expectations on themselves. This is part of the mental side of the Sport few see from the outside. If a young rider gets disappointed that the transition up a League is harder than they thought, it can quickly affect confidence. So, we work on that and it's a case of setting realistic expectations from the Club, they are invariably lower than their own expectations; but it's all about boosting and maintaining confidence and nurturing that precious talent and stressing over and over again that there is no pressure from us, merely a desire to help them to be as good as they can be. Jason is a long-term work in progress and with luck and good health, we're 100% sure he can go right to the very top of the Sport. It is going to be incredibly exciting to work with Drew and in terms of team

14 FLYING HIGH Whilst Trevor has perfectly explained the riding qualities of each team member, I think it's also vitally important that we also understand what makes each rider tick, on and off the track. As a club, we need do all we can to set them up to succeed in every way we can; working with the guys on "mindset and confidence" and also team bonding and togetherness. We need not only win as a team, but when we lose, we lose as a team and learn together individually and collectively. It's important, therefore, that the guys know that they are our "first picks”. They all are and at no point since 2019 have we ever thought about making changes to the declared 1-7. They are all British, they get on well with each other, no language barriers, no cliques and no "them and us" mentality. Bonding and togetherness in the heat of battle will win us those last heat deciders. My focus is to make the guys What strikes me most of all though is glimpses in 2019 and never more than feel secure and comfortable in the how passionate all of our guys are to heat 15 of the cup match at Leicester. It's a knowledge that if there are any issues, succeed individually and collectively and case of giving him the confidence to concerns or problems that have someone how seriously they take riding for become more consistent and feel wanted to come and talk to. Eastbourne and how it does hurt them and comfortable enough to show it. If it's a riding issue then obviously it when they don't win. Richard is the ultimate professional, he gets delegated but if it's related to the That intensity is something we lacked in just comes and does his job and is an more mundane day-to-day stuff, finance, 2019, that's not being disrespectful to absolute pleasure to deal with on and off family, unexpected events then we want anyone at all, but this is professional sport the track. everyone to know that support, help and where if you give an opponent an inch, He knows now how passionate advice is there. they'll take a mile and we want to aim to Eastbourne supporters are and at times in A particular example of that was when have the intensity that clubs like Glasgow, 2019 was blown away by it, I'd love Covid hit. We gave them any help and Leicester and Redcar have and for our Richard to see out his CL career here at advice we could about the various team to have the level that the likes of Arlington. Government aid schemes for Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook and others Lewi is let's face it a "miracle man" in self-employed (which they all are), and have. terms of what has happened in his given my background in financial services That doesn't mean we can't have fun. Speedway career. 2019 was injury free, for many decades, in some individual We will have fun and in Lewi Kerr and we all pray that 2021 will be the same and circumstances to point them in the right mechanic Steve Norman (Stevo) we have his intensity and fitness and preparation is direction for help and guidance. two of life's great practical jokers, believe staggering, that's why we've made him That's unseen but little things like that me you have to be on your guard with Captain as he wants the responsibility WHEN WE SAT DOWN in the final weeks adequate replacement at the time in The achilles heel of the 2019 side was have I feel bonded us in ways we could those pair around. and thrives off it. of 2019 to discuss the 2020 team, which Danyon Hume who we were keen to sign away form and that bought into focus a never have expected. I think with Edward it's a case of When Kyle joined us following Tom's is of course now the 2021 team, we were and who was keen to come to join us. particular phrase that is the mantra of In terms of each rider, we believe each helping him to believe in himself as much terrible accident he fitted in immediately. keen to retain the core strength of the The fact that the suspension of my horse racing service: "if you can't can improve and we'll try to help them to as we believe in him. We all saw how he arrived with self squad which had taken us to a Shield Final Georgie was requested by his then win, don't lose" (each way in horse do that. He retains a mercurial talent that would confidence at a low ebb but slowly – beating Glasgow in the semi-final – and NDL Club who at the time were the Isle racing) which in Speedway terms is the It's fascinating as a long-standing grace the GP stage. He showed that in improved and in the final weeks of the to the semi-final of the Knock-Out Cup of Wight, and had nothing to do with vital one point available to the away "people manager" to realise that whilst a season made significant improvement. where we were beaten over two legs his Championship and asset-holding team if they lose by six points or less. Speedway track might not be much like The ability is not in doubt and nor is the narrowly by the eventual winners Redcar. club Eastbourne, was even more Accumulation of much cherished an office desk, a production line or a retail application. Kyle has said he always felt It still really does massively annoy and galling and frankly unfathomable away wins and running all clubs to outlet, there are striking similarities in he needed a "home", somewhere that he frustrate all of the management team that even now. within six points if you can't win is vital terms of cajoling someone when they could build roots and a level of security. we were not only denied the services of It's water under the bridge and that to reaching Play Offs. have a bad ride or meeting or a loss of He's found that at Arlington and I believe Georgie Wood for the crucial home leg of period defined our desire to retain the We need to be going into Heats 14 confidence, encouraging others and yes, we can now reap the rewards of 2019 and the semi-final of the KO Cup and final of core of the side but to seek greater and 15 at every away match seeking sometime a little kick up the backside and that Kyle can at last fulfil that undoubted the Championship Shield, but also an intensity and more balance. points everywhere. gee up. potential.

building we set out our stall and fought off numerous other clubs and were able to convince Drew that we could be a club that did all of that support and nurturing Championship line-ups and give him scope to realise his potential that we have discussed above. Twelve teams compete in this year’s Championship. The thing I like most about Drew is that Newcomers are Poole, Plymouth and Kent. he has actually come right out of his The Pirates would have ridden in the Championship in 2020, a er comfort blanket to come back to dropping down from the Premiership, had the season gone ahead. Arlington, a track he openly admits he It is the first time the Dorset club have been in the second tier since 1990. doesn't like in terms of suiting his style. That speaks volumes for his mindset and The Gladiators are back in the second tier a er a spell in the NDL while Kent ambition, a desire to work on his ride in the second tier for the first time and – like Eastbourne – have a NDL perceived weaknesses to improve overall. team. Tom has matured massively off the We all saw how competitive and Somerset are not running this year. track and fought back from that terrible passionate Drew is to win during the 2018 management – and that is that we have The four top teams in the league will qualify for the Play Offs and will go night. He's faced his demons at every season when he rode for Mildenhall, without doubt the most loyal, most into two semi-finals with the winners of each going through to the final. stage of that process and come through that's just the attitude we want and we'll passionate, at times loudest and The winner of Play Off final will be Champions. with incredible bravery and fortitude both do all we can to support him whilst he is intense supporters in Speedway. physically and mentally. Here are your runners and riders for with us. Drew is an Ipswich asset and has When the brilliant documentary that There have been plateaus and the 2020 Championship already made great strides in Poland and Glasgow Speedway did called "Into confidence losses along the way but as is another destined for the very top of the the Red" focuses on your PASSION the saying goes "what doesn't kill you Berwick Bandits Edinburgh Monarchs Leicester Lions Poole Pirates Sport. then that's an incredible endorsement makes you stronger", and Tom is now I It's been a long wait, terribly frustrating from people brought up with Celtic v Kyle Bickley Josh Bates Ben Cook think in the best place he has ever been, Nathan Greaves at times worrying and financially very Rangers. It's taken as a compliment Jye Etheridge William Lawson Ryan Douglas Danyon Hume especially with opportunities at Belle Vue challenging but I know our Team is the and we want you to enjoy a great Coty Garcia Joe Lawlor Kyle Howarth Zane Keleher and Poland to become a world class best we could possibly have recruited and season and to create that atmosphere Leon Flint Sam Masters Nick Morris Danny King talent. will make the supporters proud. We also and to bring some silverware home in Dany Gappmaier Josh Pickering Ty Proctor Stefan Nielsen When we signed Jason in July 2019 it know one other thing – riders and the autumn. Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen Kye Thomson Dan Thompson Rory Schlein was seen as a risk and a gamble by some, Aaron Summers Richie Worrall Joe Thompson Steve Worrall too soon by others; and many of those know a lot more about Speedway than I Birmingham Brummies Glasgow Tigers Newcastle Diamonds Redcar Bears do. However, it was at my instigation and Paco Castagna Craig Cook Joe Alcock Jake Allen very much part of a long -term plan. Chris Harris Sam Jensen Ben Barker Jordan Jenkins I'd seen this incredibly mature and Valentin Grobauer Justin Sedgemen Max Clegg Anders Rowe talented kid in 2018, seen massive Ashley Morris Jack Smith Connor Mountain Jordan Stewart improvement in some NDL matches I saw Erik Riss Broc Nicol Adam Roynon Michael Palm To in 2019 when Jason rode for Mildenhall James Shanes Ulrich Ostergaard Matt Wethers Charles Wright and the vultures were circling and we Jack Thomas Ricky Wells James Wright James Sarjeant needed to act. Jason for one so young bought that Eastbourne Eagles Kent Kings Plymouth Gladiators Scunthorpe Scorpions intensity that some in the 2019 team we felt lacked at the time. The key with any Tom Brennan Tom Bacon Henry Atkins Tero Aarnio young rider is to understand their Jason Edwards Dan Gilkes Alfie Bowtell Josh Auty expectation, if you can get to the bottom Edward Kennett Cameron Heeps Zach Cook Thomas Jorgensen that early you can stop them putting Drew Kemp Paul Hurry Jason Crump Simon Lambert unnecessary expectations on themselves. Lewi Kerr Ben Morley Steven Goret Josh MacDoanld This is part of the mental side of the Richard Lawson Paul Starke Bjarne Pedersen Jordan Palin Sport few see from the outside. If a young Kyle Newman Scott Nicholls Dillon Ruml Theo Pijper rider gets disappointed that the transition up a League is harder than they thought, it can quickly affect confidence. So, we work on that and it's a case of setting realistic expectations from the Club, they are invariably lower than their own expectations; but it's all about boosting and maintaining confidence and nurturing that precious talent and stressing over and over again that there is no pressure from us, merely a desire to help them to be as good as they can be. Jason is a long-term work in progress and with luck and good health, we're 100% sure he can go right to the very top of the Sport. It is going to be incredibly exciting to work with Drew and in terms of team

FLYING HIGH 15 Whilst Trevor has perfectly explained the riding qualities of each team member, I think it's also vitally important that we also understand what makes each rider tick, on and off the track. As a club, we need do all we can to set them up to succeed in every way we can; working with the guys on "mindset and confidence" and also team bonding and togetherness. We need not only win as a team, but when we lose, we lose as a team and learn together individually and collectively. It's important, therefore, that the guys know that they are our "first picks”. They all are and at no point since 2019 have we ever thought about making changes to the declared 1-7. They are all British, they get on well with each other, no language barriers, no cliques and no "them and us" mentality. Bonding and togetherness in the heat of battle will win us those last heat deciders. My focus is to make the guys What strikes me most of all though is glimpses in 2019 and never more than feel secure and comfortable in the how passionate all of our guys are to heat 15 of the cup match at Leicester. It's a knowledge that if there are any issues, succeed individually and collectively and case of giving him the confidence to concerns or problems that have someone how seriously they take riding for become more consistent and feel wanted to come and talk to. Eastbourne and how it does hurt them and comfortable enough to show it. If it's a riding issue then obviously it when they don't win. Richard is the ultimate professional, he gets delegated but if it's related to the That intensity is something we lacked in just comes and does his job and is an more mundane day-to-day stuff, finance, 2019, that's not being disrespectful to absolute pleasure to deal with on and off family, unexpected events then we want anyone at all, but this is professional sport the track. everyone to know that support, help and where if you give an opponent an inch, He knows now how passionate advice is there. they'll take a mile and we want to aim to Eastbourne supporters are and at times in A particular example of that was when have the intensity that clubs like Glasgow, 2019 was blown away by it, I'd love Covid hit. We gave them any help and Leicester and Redcar have and for our Richard to see out his CL career here at advice we could about the various team to have the level that the likes of Arlington. Government aid schemes for Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook and others Lewi is let's face it a "miracle man" in self-employed (which they all are), and have. terms of what has happened in his given my background in financial services That doesn't mean we can't have fun. Speedway career. 2019 was injury free, for many decades, in some individual We will have fun and in Lewi Kerr and we all pray that 2021 will be the same and circumstances to point them in the right mechanic Steve Norman (Stevo) we have his intensity and fitness and preparation is direction for help and guidance. two of life's great practical jokers, believe staggering, that's why we've made him That's unseen but little things like that me you have to be on your guard with Captain as he wants the responsibility WHEN WE SAT DOWN in the final weeks adequate replacement at the time in The achilles heel of the 2019 side was have I feel bonded us in ways we could those pair around. and thrives off it. of 2019 to discuss the 2020 team, which Danyon Hume who we were keen to sign away form and that bought into focus a never have expected. I think with Edward it's a case of When Kyle joined us following Tom's is of course now the 2021 team, we were and who was keen to come to join us. particular phrase that is the mantra of In terms of each rider, we believe each helping him to believe in himself as much terrible accident he fitted in immediately. keen to retain the core strength of the The fact that the suspension of my horse racing service: "if you can't can improve and we'll try to help them to as we believe in him. We all saw how he arrived with self squad which had taken us to a Shield Final Georgie was requested by his then win, don't lose" (each way in horse do that. He retains a mercurial talent that would confidence at a low ebb but slowly – beating Glasgow in the semi-final – and NDL Club who at the time were the Isle racing) which in Speedway terms is the It's fascinating as a long-standing grace the GP stage. He showed that in improved and in the final weeks of the to the semi-final of the Knock-Out Cup of Wight, and had nothing to do with vital one point available to the away "people manager" to realise that whilst a season made significant improvement. where we were beaten over two legs his Championship and asset-holding team if they lose by six points or less. Speedway track might not be much like The ability is not in doubt and nor is the narrowly by the eventual winners Redcar. club Eastbourne, was even more Accumulation of much cherished an office desk, a production line or a retail application. Kyle has said he always felt It still really does massively annoy and galling and frankly unfathomable away wins and running all clubs to outlet, there are striking similarities in he needed a "home", somewhere that he frustrate all of the management team that even now. within six points if you can't win is vital terms of cajoling someone when they could build roots and a level of security. we were not only denied the services of It's water under the bridge and that to reaching Play Offs. have a bad ride or meeting or a loss of He's found that at Arlington and I believe Georgie Wood for the crucial home leg of period defined our desire to retain the We need to be going into Heats 14 confidence, encouraging others and yes, we can now reap the rewards of 2019 and the semi-final of the KO Cup and final of core of the side but to seek greater and 15 at every away match seeking sometime a little kick up the backside and that Kyle can at last fulfil that undoubted the Championship Shield, but also an intensity and more balance. points everywhere. gee up. potential.

building we set out our stall and fought off That said Scott Nicholls, another former they enjoyed for many years in the top Alfie Bowtell and Henry Atkins (who we numerous other clubs and were able to Eagle of course, who captained the flight it was considered something akin to look forward to getting to know well as convince Drew that we could be a club reigning league champions Leicester to fake news when it was announced that part of our Seagulls side) will likely form a that did all of that support and nurturing glory in 2019, was surely the ideal start to they would be dropping down a level capable reserve duo, so very much a case and give him scope to realise his potential their team building agenda. ahead of the 2020 season. of wait and see with regard to the that we have discussed above. Cameron Heeps and Paul Starke will Gladiators. Local(ish) rivalry The thing I like most about Drew is that The race for inevitably provide the chief back up to Redcar Bears: Knockout Cup winners in he has actually come right out of his Scott considering past performance. Well the Premiership’s loss is certainly our 2019 and the team who so nearly spoiled comfort blanket to come back to However, should Paul Hurry (yet gain, particularly for ourselves as we get the party for the Leicester Lions in the Play Arlington, a track he openly admits he another former Eagle I feel compelled to to renew another local(ish) rivalry. Offs, the Redcar Bears once again have an doesn't like in terms of suiting his style. mention) recreate former glories then the They certainly have a strong look about exciting looking septet that could That speaks volumes for his mindset and Kings could well prove very difficult to them with Rory Schlein, Danny King and potentially go all the way in the season beat. ambition, a desire to work on his Championship glory Steve Worrall leading the charge. While ahead. Well, heavens above one and all, is it With Tom Bacon, Ben Morley and, perceived weaknesses to improve overall. more is known of Stefan Nielsen and British Champion Charles Wright and Tom has matured massively off the really almost that time? The moment another highly prize acquisition, Dan We all saw how competitive and Twelve teams will battle it out for Championship Danyon Hume and improvement is likely Michael Palm To is a great start but add track and fought back from that terrible when we can emerge from a dark time, Gilkes, Kent could upset many an from them both, less is apparent about to that the talent of Jake Allen that really is passionate Drew is to win during the 2018 management – and that is that we have night. He's faced his demons at every blinking once more into the light and glory. The first aim will be to make the Play Offs applecart in the coming weeks and either Ben Cook or Zane Keleher. a triple threat spearhead to savour. season when he rode for Mildenhall, without doubt the most loyal, most stage of that process and come through some sort of semblance of normality. months. However, we know the Ford focus of Jordan Stewart is another who will not that's just the attitude we want and we'll passionate, at times loudest and and to do that you have to finish in the tip four at with incredible bravery and fortitude both Nobody can deny that the last 18 Leicester Lions: Bearing little old and the capability of them spotting a find points difficult to come by and do all we can to support him whilst he is intense supporters in Speedway. the end of the regular season. physically and mentally. months or so have taken a toll on us all. resemblance to the team that took the gem. Therefore, the Pirates management Anders Rowe, James Sargeant and Jordan with us. Drew is an Ipswich asset and has When the brilliant documentary that There have been plateaus and Everybody has a story to tell and title last time out, the 2021 pride of Lions will remain confident of displaying the Jenkins will all, inevitably have their already made great strides in Poland and Glasgow Speedway did called "Into Kevin Ling reviews the prospects confidence losses along the way but as everyone has been affected in some way. have the pedigree to emulate the dominance they so oen did in the top moments to shine. is another destined for the very top of the the Red" focuses on your PASSION the saying goes "what doesn't kill you Finally, the moment is approaching for achievements of their forbears. flight now they have joined us in the Sport. then that's an incredible endorsement Potentially great team makes you stronger", and Tom is now I our two-wheeled gladiators to line up at store for you there. Not just one, but two same time they will likely pick up points Nick Morris, Ryan Douglas and Kyle Championship. It's been a long wait, terribly frustrating from people brought up with Celtic v think in the best place he has ever been, the tapes and with that let us hope that of the most exciting young prospects in on the road. Howarth will certainly compare well to Plymouth Gladiators: Another potential On paper a very good team, on track at times worrying and financially very Rangers. It's taken as a compliment the Speedway based smiles quickly especially with opportunities at Belle Vue Drew and Jason that British Speedway has Edinburgh Monarchs: Another other heat leader trios up and down the fairy story in the making and the potentially a great team who I suspect will challenging but I know our Team is the and we want you to enjoy a great return to our collective faces. and Poland to become a world class to offer. formidable heat leader trio in Sam league and Ty Proctor and Josh Bates offer Gladiators announced their arrival at the feature strongly for honours. best we could possibly have recruited and season and to create that atmosphere We are all in need of some light relief With all that I’d say that the near future Masters, Richie Worrall and Josh Pickering talent. similar promise in their support roles. party with the signing of a genuine Scunthorpe Scorpions: Again, this is a will make the supporters proud. We also and to bring some silverware home in right now and scanning down the looks bright for us but what of our rivals? (who certainly demonstrated a liking for With the Thompson twins, Dan and Joe When we signed Jason in July 2019 it Speedway superstar, former World teamstand a great chance of beating the know one other thing – riders and the autumn. respective line-ups of our own Eagles, set Well, let us just say, while I feel that we are Arlington on his last visit, I seem to recall). looking to continue their upward mobility was seen as a risk and a gamble by some, Champion and hall-of-famer Jason best, if all comes together well. to do battle in the 2021 Championship well capable of being in contention for For me, and with no disrespect intended, there’s every chance that the Lions will be Crump. They have proven performers all the too soon by others; and many of those and also the Seagulls, set to represent us honours, we will certainly not have things maybe they will prove a little too long in thereabouts when the prizes are handed Alongside him is another much loved way down the line, Josh Auty, Tero Aarnio know a lot more about Speedway than I both at NDL and MDSL level, are such to our own way. the tail to feature strongly for honours. out but given the make up of some of the character and one we know well here at and Thomas Jorgensen will blend well as do. give us all plenty to smile about as the Who’s to say though, I’ve been wrong other teams they will face I believe that Arlington, Bjarne Pedersen. a heat leader trio while Theo Pijper and However, it was at my instigation and Team by team campaign unfolds. before and inevitably will be again but the task will be even harder for them in Suffice to say these two have gobbled Simon Lambert each have the credentials very much part of a long -term plan. Given the complement that we had Let’s just run through team by team much will depend on whether Nathan 2021 than it was in 2019. up much of the Plymouth points to break into the top three. I'd seen this incredibly mature and assembled ahead of the 2020 season it starting in alphabetical order with the Greaves, Kye Thomson, William Lawson Fond memories allowance so their management have Josh Macdonald was oen a free scorer talented kid in 2018, seen massive certainly seemed that exciting times were Berwick Bandits. and Joe Lawlor hit the ground running. been forced to be a little creative to fill the in 2019 with Edinburgh while Jordan Palin improvement in some NDL matches I saw in store in the weeks ahead. We all know Once again they promise to be very Glasgow Tigers: What can anyone say? Newcastle Diamonds: I suspect there will remainder of the side. was a rapidly rising talent at NDL level. in 2019 when Jason rode for Mildenhall what happened to put the brakes on that strong, particularly at home. Aaron Plenty has been and some no doubt will be others reading this who have fond They may well have identified a few A team I suspect will occupy the middle and the vultures were circling and we ambition but fast forward a year and it is Summers, Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen and Jye have plenty more to say as the time memories of our triumph at Brough Park, jewels of their own so we all look forward order but a confident start to the needed to act. no wonder that we can look forward to Etheridge are likely to be a strong heat approaches but no one can deny that the our sole league success on our travels in to charting the progress of Steven Goret, campaign could well be the making of Jason for one so young bought that 2021 in similar fashion. leader trio. Daniel Gappmaier and Tigers were one of the standout teams in 2019. Zach Cook and Dillon Ruml. Meanwhile them. intensity that some in the 2019 team we Fernando Garcia will both have good 2019 and viewing their new line-up will Exciting, young, all-British Therefore, it is a relief that the felt lacked at the time. The key with any points in them while Leon Flint and Kyle undoubtedly prove so again. Diamonds managed to survive to fight young rider is to understand their Thankfully, we have the same team of Bickley, form an exciting reserve duo another day when it appeared that for a Two potential number ones expectation, if you can get to the bottom riders representing us, an exciting, much like ours. time they might be lost to the sport. that early you can stop them putting young, all-British line-up, one both rich in Birmingham Brummies: Chris Harris will Craig Cook and Ricky Wells, not just one I do rather fear for them, however, unnecessary expectations on themselves. experience but also bursting with always put bums on seats but the but two potential number ones. Backing when you compare their comparative This is part of the mental side of the potential and the opportunity to improve Brummies raised their profile massively in them up are three riders who are wholly strengths against certain others in the Sport few see from the outside. If a young right throughout the order. recent weeks with the acquisition of Erik capable of double figure returns both league and I feel they might struggle at rider gets disappointed that the transition In Richard, Edward and newly Riss, a formidable spearhead indeed. home and away, namely Justin Sedgmen, times. up a League is harder than they thought, it appointed captain Lewi we have a heat Scanning further down the line-up Broc Nicol (a superb performance for No one can deny that Ben Barker will can quickly affect confidence. leader trio that is surely comparable to come a number of riders who on the day Sheffield on his last visit to Sussex) and pull in the points and there is every any other in the league and the envy of So, we work on that and it's a case of will prove a match for anyone. former Eagle Ulrich Ostergaard. chance that comeback man James Wright most. setting realistic expectations from the Ashley Morris and James Shanes have Sam Jensen and Jack Smith will both will rekindle the sort of form that Providing the perfect back to our big both scored well for the Perry Barr outfit have a part to play in the reserve berth Club, they are invariably lower than their identified him as a high flyer in days gone three comes the wholly experienced Kyle in the past while Paco Castagna has oen but the Tigers, taken as a whole, just as by. own expectations; but it's all about together with the youthful exuberance of proved something of a hero for the they did in 2019, will certainly be vying Both Matthew Wethers and Max Clegg boosting and maintaining confidence and Tom. An attractive looking middle order Brummies. for honours once again in 2021. performed heroically for the Tyne outfit in nurturing that precious talent and indeed. Valentin Groubauer proved a capable Kent Kings: One of the plus points as 2019 and will undoubtedly do so again. stressing over and over again that there is It seems likely that Tom may need time performer for Somerset in 2019 and we look ahead to the season ahead is the If Connor Mountain and Adam Roynon no pressure from us, merely a desire to to find his feet again with regard to team undoubtedly will continue to do so with opportunity to renew local rivalries so, can also recapture some of the past form help them to be as good as they can be. competition as he was not only denied his new club. Last but not least, another therefore, the elevation of the Men of they have displayed and Joe Alcock can Jason is a long-term work in progress the 2020 season along with everyone young man, rich in potential who we Kent, or Kentish Men, however they also give a good account of himself they and with luck and good health, we're else but also the large part of 2019 know well from his time here with Kent, is might consider themselves to the could well become a solid home team. 100% sure he can go right to the very top following his injury in the first few weeks Jack Thomas. Championship is great news for all of us I do question how they might fare on of the Sport. of the campaign. Birmingham will prove a tough nut to here at Arlington. An interesting line-up their travels however. It is going to be incredibly exciting to That brings us to the reserve berth and crack around their home circuit and and one not easy to quantify as regards a Poole Pirates: Well now we are talking, work with Drew and in terms of team wow, wow, wow, what a treat we have in should both Riss and Harris click at the potential assault for honours. aren’t we? Considering the success that

16 FLYING HIGH Whilst Trevor has perfectly explained the riding qualities of each team member, I think it's also vitally important that we also understand what makes each rider tick, on and off the track. As a club, we need do all we can to set them up to succeed in every way we can; working with the guys on "mindset and confidence" and also team bonding and togetherness. We need not only win as a team, but when we lose, we lose as a team and learn together individually and collectively. It's important, therefore, that the guys know that they are our "first picks”. They all are and at no point since 2019 have we ever thought about making changes to the declared 1-7. They are all British, they get on well with each other, no language barriers, no cliques and no "them and us" mentality. Bonding and togetherness in the heat of battle will win us those last heat deciders. My focus is to make the guys What strikes me most of all though is glimpses in 2019 and never more than feel secure and comfortable in the how passionate all of our guys are to heat 15 of the cup match at Leicester. It's a knowledge that if there are any issues, succeed individually and collectively and case of giving him the confidence to concerns or problems that have someone how seriously they take riding for become more consistent and feel wanted to come and talk to. Eastbourne and how it does hurt them and comfortable enough to show it. If it's a riding issue then obviously it when they don't win. Richard is the ultimate professional, he gets delegated but if it's related to the That intensity is something we lacked in just comes and does his job and is an more mundane day-to-day stuff, finance, 2019, that's not being disrespectful to absolute pleasure to deal with on and off family, unexpected events then we want anyone at all, but this is professional sport the track. everyone to know that support, help and where if you give an opponent an inch, He knows now how passionate advice is there. they'll take a mile and we want to aim to Eastbourne supporters are and at times in A particular example of that was when have the intensity that clubs like Glasgow, 2019 was blown away by it, I'd love Covid hit. We gave them any help and Leicester and Redcar have and for our Richard to see out his CL career here at advice we could about the various team to have the level that the likes of Arlington. Government aid schemes for Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook and others Lewi is let's face it a "miracle man" in self-employed (which they all are), and have. terms of what has happened in his given my background in financial services That doesn't mean we can't have fun. Speedway career. 2019 was injury free, for many decades, in some individual We will have fun and in Lewi Kerr and we all pray that 2021 will be the same and circumstances to point them in the right mechanic Steve Norman (Stevo) we have his intensity and fitness and preparation is direction for help and guidance. two of life's great practical jokers, believe staggering, that's why we've made him That's unseen but little things like that me you have to be on your guard with Captain as he wants the responsibility WHEN WE SAT DOWN in the final weeks adequate replacement at the time in The achilles heel of the 2019 side was have I feel bonded us in ways we could those pair around. and thrives off it. of 2019 to discuss the 2020 team, which Danyon Hume who we were keen to sign away form and that bought into focus a never have expected. I think with Edward it's a case of When Kyle joined us following Tom's is of course now the 2021 team, we were and who was keen to come to join us. particular phrase that is the mantra of In terms of each rider, we believe each helping him to believe in himself as much terrible accident he fitted in immediately. keen to retain the core strength of the The fact that the suspension of my horse racing service: "if you can't can improve and we'll try to help them to as we believe in him. We all saw how he arrived with self squad which had taken us to a Shield Final Georgie was requested by his then win, don't lose" (each way in horse do that. He retains a mercurial talent that would confidence at a low ebb but slowly – beating Glasgow in the semi-final – and NDL Club who at the time were the Isle racing) which in Speedway terms is the It's fascinating as a long-standing grace the GP stage. He showed that in improved and in the final weeks of the to the semi-final of the Knock-Out Cup of Wight, and had nothing to do with vital one point available to the away "people manager" to realise that whilst a season made significant improvement. where we were beaten over two legs his Championship and asset-holding team if they lose by six points or less. Speedway track might not be much like The ability is not in doubt and nor is the narrowly by the eventual winners Redcar. club Eastbourne, was even more Accumulation of much cherished an office desk, a production line or a retail application. Kyle has said he always felt It still really does massively annoy and galling and frankly unfathomable away wins and running all clubs to outlet, there are striking similarities in he needed a "home", somewhere that he frustrate all of the management team that even now. within six points if you can't win is vital terms of cajoling someone when they could build roots and a level of security. we were not only denied the services of It's water under the bridge and that to reaching Play Offs. have a bad ride or meeting or a loss of He's found that at Arlington and I believe Georgie Wood for the crucial home leg of period defined our desire to retain the We need to be going into Heats 14 confidence, encouraging others and yes, we can now reap the rewards of 2019 and the semi-final of the KO Cup and final of core of the side but to seek greater and 15 at every away match seeking sometime a little kick up the backside and that Kyle can at last fulfil that undoubted the Championship Shield, but also an intensity and more balance. points everywhere. gee up. potential.

building we set out our stall and fought off That said Scott Nicholls, another former they enjoyed for many years in the top Alfie Bowtell and Henry Atkins (who we numerous other clubs and were able to Eagle of course, who captained the flight it was considered something akin to look forward to getting to know well as convince Drew that we could be a club reigning league champions Leicester to fake news when it was announced that part of our Seagulls side) will likely form a that did all of that support and nurturing glory in 2019, was surely the ideal start to they would be dropping down a level capable reserve duo, so very much a case and give him scope to realise his potential their team building agenda. ahead of the 2020 season. of wait and see with regard to the that we have discussed above. Cameron Heeps and Paul Starke will Gladiators. Local(ish) rivalry The thing I like most about Drew is that inevitably provide the chief back up to Redcar Bears: Knockout Cup winners in he has actually come right out of his Scott considering past performance. Well the Premiership’s loss is certainly our 2019 and the team who so nearly spoiled comfort blanket to come back to However, should Paul Hurry (yet gain, particularly for ourselves as we get the party for the Leicester Lions in the Play Arlington, a track he openly admits he another former Eagle I feel compelled to to renew another local(ish) rivalry. Offs, the Redcar Bears once again have an doesn't like in terms of suiting his style. mention) recreate former glories then the They certainly have a strong look about exciting looking septet that could That speaks volumes for his mindset and Kings could well prove very difficult to them with Rory Schlein, Danny King and potentially go all the way in the season beat. ambition, a desire to work on his Steve Worrall leading the charge. While ahead. Well, heavens above one and all, is it With Tom Bacon, Ben Morley and, perceived weaknesses to improve overall. more is known of Stefan Nielsen and British Champion Charles Wright and Tom has matured massively off the really almost that time? The moment another highly prize acquisition, Dan We all saw how competitive and Danyon Hume and improvement is likely Michael Palm To is a great start but add track and fought back from that terrible when we can emerge from a dark time, Gilkes, Kent could upset many an from them both, less is apparent about to that the talent of Jake Allen that really is passionate Drew is to win during the 2018 management – and that is that we have night. He's faced his demons at every blinking once more into the light and applecart in the coming weeks and either Ben Cook or Zane Keleher. a triple threat spearhead to savour. season when he rode for Mildenhall, without doubt the most loyal, most stage of that process and come through some sort of semblance of normality. months. However, we know the Ford focus of Jordan Stewart is another who will not that's just the attitude we want and we'll passionate, at times loudest and with incredible bravery and fortitude both Nobody can deny that the last 18 Leicester Lions: Bearing little old and the capability of them spotting a find points difficult to come by and do all we can to support him whilst he is intense supporters in Speedway. physically and mentally. months or so have taken a toll on us all. resemblance to the team that took the gem. Therefore, the Pirates management Anders Rowe, James Sargeant and Jordan with us. Drew is an Ipswich asset and has When the brilliant documentary that There have been plateaus and Everybody has a story to tell and title last time out, the 2021 pride of Lions will remain confident of displaying the Jenkins will all, inevitably have their already made great strides in Poland and Glasgow Speedway did called "Into confidence losses along the way but as everyone has been affected in some way. have the pedigree to emulate the dominance they so oen did in the top moments to shine. is another destined for the very top of the the Red" focuses on your PASSION the saying goes "what doesn't kill you Finally, the moment is approaching for achievements of their forbears. flight now they have joined us in the Sport. then that's an incredible endorsement Potentially great team makes you stronger", and Tom is now I our two-wheeled gladiators to line up at store for you there. Not just one, but two same time they will likely pick up points Nick Morris, Ryan Douglas and Kyle Championship. It's been a long wait, terribly frustrating from people brought up with Celtic v think in the best place he has ever been, the tapes and with that let us hope that of the most exciting young prospects in on the road. Howarth will certainly compare well to Plymouth Gladiators: Another potential On paper a very good team, on track at times worrying and financially very Rangers. It's taken as a compliment the Speedway based smiles quickly especially with opportunities at Belle Vue Drew and Jason that British Speedway has Edinburgh Monarchs: Another other heat leader trios up and down the fairy story in the making and the potentially a great team who I suspect will challenging but I know our Team is the and we want you to enjoy a great return to our collective faces. to offer. and Poland to become a world class formidable heat leader trio in Sam league and Ty Proctor and Josh Bates offer Gladiators announced their arrival at the feature strongly for honours. best we could possibly have recruited and season and to create that atmosphere We are all in need of some light relief With all that I’d say that the near future Masters, Richie Worrall and Josh Pickering talent. similar promise in their support roles. party with the signing of a genuine Scunthorpe Scorpions: Again, this is a will make the supporters proud. We also and to bring some silverware home in right now and scanning down the looks bright for us but what of our rivals? (who certainly demonstrated a liking for With the Thompson twins, Dan and Joe When we signed Jason in July 2019 it Speedway superstar, former World teamstand a great chance of beating the know one other thing – riders and the autumn. respective line-ups of our own Eagles, set Well, let us just say, while I feel that we are Arlington on his last visit, I seem to recall). looking to continue their upward mobility was seen as a risk and a gamble by some, Champion and hall-of-famer Jason best, if all comes together well. to do battle in the 2021 Championship well capable of being in contention for For me, and with no disrespect intended, there’s every chance that the Lions will be Crump. They have proven performers all the too soon by others; and many of those and also the Seagulls, set to represent us honours, we will certainly not have things maybe they will prove a little too long in thereabouts when the prizes are handed Alongside him is another much loved way down the line, Josh Auty, Tero Aarnio know a lot more about Speedway than I both at NDL and MDSL level, are such to our own way. the tail to feature strongly for honours. out but given the make up of some of the character and one we know well here at and Thomas Jorgensen will blend well as do. give us all plenty to smile about as the Who’s to say though, I’ve been wrong other teams they will face I believe that Arlington, Bjarne Pedersen. a heat leader trio while Theo Pijper and However, it was at my instigation and Team by team campaign unfolds. before and inevitably will be again but the task will be even harder for them in Suffice to say these two have gobbled Simon Lambert each have the credentials very much part of a long -term plan. Given the complement that we had Let’s just run through team by team much will depend on whether Nathan 2021 than it was in 2019. up much of the Plymouth points to break into the top three. I'd seen this incredibly mature and assembled ahead of the 2020 season it starting in alphabetical order with the Greaves, Kye Thomson, William Lawson Fond memories allowance so their management have Josh Macdonald was oen a free scorer talented kid in 2018, seen massive certainly seemed that exciting times were Berwick Bandits. and Joe Lawlor hit the ground running. been forced to be a little creative to fill the in 2019 with Edinburgh while Jordan Palin improvement in some NDL matches I saw in store in the weeks ahead. We all know Once again they promise to be very Glasgow Tigers: What can anyone say? Newcastle Diamonds: I suspect there will remainder of the side. was a rapidly rising talent at NDL level. in 2019 when Jason rode for Mildenhall what happened to put the brakes on that strong, particularly at home. Aaron Plenty has been and some no doubt will be others reading this who have fond They may well have identified a few A team I suspect will occupy the middle and the vultures were circling and we ambition but fast forward a year and it is Summers, Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen and Jye have plenty more to say as the time memories of our triumph at Brough Park, jewels of their own so we all look forward order but a confident start to the needed to act. no wonder that we can look forward to Etheridge are likely to be a strong heat approaches but no one can deny that the our sole league success on our travels in to charting the progress of Steven Goret, campaign could well be the making of Jason for one so young bought that 2021 in similar fashion. leader trio. Daniel Gappmaier and Tigers were one of the standout teams in 2019. Zach Cook and Dillon Ruml. Meanwhile them. intensity that some in the 2019 team we Fernando Garcia will both have good 2019 and viewing their new line-up will Exciting, young, all-British Therefore, it is a relief that the felt lacked at the time. The key with any points in them while Leon Flint and Kyle undoubtedly prove so again. Diamonds managed to survive to fight young rider is to understand their Thankfully, we have the same team of Bickley, form an exciting reserve duo another day when it appeared that for a Two potential number ones expectation, if you can get to the bottom riders representing us, an exciting, much like ours. time they might be lost to the sport. that early you can stop them putting young, all-British line-up, one both rich in Birmingham Brummies: Chris Harris will Craig Cook and Ricky Wells, not just one I do rather fear for them, however, unnecessary expectations on themselves. experience but also bursting with always put bums on seats but the but two potential number ones. Backing when you compare their comparative This is part of the mental side of the potential and the opportunity to improve Brummies raised their profile massively in them up are three riders who are wholly strengths against certain others in the Sport few see from the outside. If a young right throughout the order. recent weeks with the acquisition of Erik capable of double figure returns both league and I feel they might struggle at rider gets disappointed that the transition In Richard, Edward and newly Riss, a formidable spearhead indeed. home and away, namely Justin Sedgmen, times. up a League is harder than they thought, it appointed captain Lewi we have a heat Scanning further down the line-up Broc Nicol (a superb performance for No one can deny that Ben Barker will can quickly affect confidence. leader trio that is surely comparable to come a number of riders who on the day Sheffield on his last visit to Sussex) and pull in the points and there is every any other in the league and the envy of So, we work on that and it's a case of will prove a match for anyone. former Eagle Ulrich Ostergaard. chance that comeback man James Wright most. setting realistic expectations from the Ashley Morris and James Shanes have Sam Jensen and Jack Smith will both will rekindle the sort of form that Providing the perfect back to our big both scored well for the Perry Barr outfit have a part to play in the reserve berth Club, they are invariably lower than their identified him as a high flyer in days gone three comes the wholly experienced Kyle in the past while Paco Castagna has oen but the Tigers, taken as a whole, just as by. own expectations; but it's all about together with the youthful exuberance of proved something of a hero for the they did in 2019, will certainly be vying Both Matthew Wethers and Max Clegg boosting and maintaining confidence and Tom. An attractive looking middle order Brummies. for honours once again in 2021. performed heroically for the Tyne outfit in nurturing that precious talent and indeed. Valentin Groubauer proved a capable Kent Kings: One of the plus points as 2019 and will undoubtedly do so again. stressing over and over again that there is It seems likely that Tom may need time performer for Somerset in 2019 and we look ahead to the season ahead is the If Connor Mountain and Adam Roynon no pressure from us, merely a desire to to find his feet again with regard to team undoubtedly will continue to do so with opportunity to renew local rivalries so, can also recapture some of the past form help them to be as good as they can be. competition as he was not only denied his new club. Last but not least, another therefore, the elevation of the Men of they have displayed and Joe Alcock can Jason is a long-term work in progress the 2020 season along with everyone young man, rich in potential who we Kent, or Kentish Men, however they also give a good account of himself they and with luck and good health, we're else but also the large part of 2019 know well from his time here with Kent, is might consider themselves to the could well become a solid home team. 100% sure he can go right to the very top following his injury in the first few weeks Jack Thomas. Championship is great news for all of us I do question how they might fare on of the Sport. of the campaign. Birmingham will prove a tough nut to here at Arlington. An interesting line-up their travels however. It is going to be incredibly exciting to That brings us to the reserve berth and crack around their home circuit and and one not easy to quantify as regards a Poole Pirates: Well now we are talking, work with Drew and in terms of team wow, wow, wow, what a treat we have in should both Riss and Harris click at the potential assault for honours. aren’t we? Considering the success that Jason Edwards and Richard Lawson in practice.

FLYING HIGH 17 18 FLYING HIGH Team managerWill Pottinger talksabout‘Myteam’. others are somethingofamystery. Some NDLSeagullsare familiar namesto long-standingfans, around overly longfor theactionto restart. NDL teams inandready for actionsothatfans are notwaiting behind thescenesto gettheChampionshipriders outandthe When itisadoubleheader, there willbesomeni ywork and ...somebanter. club’s seniorriders intheChampionshipteam for help,advice All willbepartoftheArlington ‘family’ andcanlookto the The clubhasgonefor amixture ofexperience andyouth. expected to show strongly inaleagueEastbournewon in2018. The Seagulls,powered bySave Thurrock Hammers, are National Development League. Eastbourne’s “second team” willcompete inthisyear’s My team by Will Pottinger opportunity for himto establishhimselfas string/third heatleaderandthisisagood thereabouts intheNDLbetween second you always get110percent. couple oftimesfor Cradley. Richard Andrews. Imanagedhima Another familiar face backatArlington is themselves intheshopwindow. teams, there istheopportunityto put ladder between thetwo Eastbourne back to Championshipandwiththe to know him better. forward to working withhimandgetting here. Heispopular withthefans. back intheNLaer thesuccess hehad him to comebackonceEastbournewere of hisraces. Arlington. Ithinkhewillbewinningmost and really dominate races, especiallyat established No1intheNationalLeague great opportunityfor himto becomean desire to rideSpeedway. and proved hecouldstilldoitandhadthe very keen thento getbackinto Speedway the EaglesSelectatPlymouth.Heseemed managing himlastyear whenwaspartof League. Ihadthepleasure ofteam the clubafew years agointhe National at Arlington aer hissuccessful spell with Jake Knightwillbeafamiliar face to many He hasalways beenthere or He andhisdadare superniceguys and It willgive himtheopportunityto get Jake ticksalltheboxes. Iamlooking I thinkitwasanatural thingreally for He hasplentyofexperience andthisisa suggests. far better riderthantheaverages how heisontheaverage heis.Heisafar, …it isanabsolute mystery to measto back inSussex. season andIknow heisdelighted to be vital. contributing awayfrom homewillbe figures, athomeespeciallyand a genuineheatleaderandscore double Jake Knight Newcomer to Arlington isHenryAtkins He hasitwithinhimselfto have agood practice session atEastbourneacoupleof Henry learnedalotwhenhedid League. on andbecomeatop riderintheNational him to have avery goodseason. experience despite beingyoung. Iexpect 2019 for Somerset so hehasalotof points to hisaverage. From what Ian (Jordan) hastold me,From whatIan(Jordan) The opportunityisthere for himto push He hasraced intheChampionship I fullyexpect himto beaddingplentyof

Tiffani Graveling and wasreally impressive. practising andracing before themeetings managing there in2018.Hewas and Ifirst sawhimatLakeside whenIwas Connor. away andaddingpointsto hisaverage. overnight buthewilljustkeep chipping from afour pointaverage to anine much ashecan. come down to Eastbourneandpractise as continue to progress andisvery keen to better astheevening went on.Hewill and awaybuttheyare upfor that. to score goodsolidpointsfor ushome do well. Theywillhave to beontheirtoes from thereserves butIamsure theywill be too far away atall,aswillConnor. on atEastbourne. rider. Itwillbegoodto seehow hegets something abouthimto becomeadecent couple oftimes.Healways seemshehas become asuccessful speedwayrider. tracks andsmalltracks ifyou wishto pony andyou have to beableto ridebig master that. different typeofhometrack sotheycan good for theirprogression to have a Smallmead andArlington butitwillbe Connor King. Isle ofWight are ChadWirtzfeld and weeks ago. Thatbodeswell. Local ladNathanAblitt isatreserve This willbegoodfor bothChadand He maybeaslow burner. Hewon’t go Connor rode for usatPlymouth andgot Both ladswillhave pressure onthem A practice session ortwo andhewillnot I have only seenChadrace againstmea You don’t wantto becomeaone-trick It isahugecontrast between Moving over from thebigtrack ofthe years. round theNationalLeague for afew He isareally goodcharacter andbeen to be helpingEdward Kennett thisyear. Lawson athomemeetingsandheisgoing quite afew years. Nick Laurence. Ihave known himfor forward to working withhim. points onhisaverage andIamlooking 2019 buthehasthepotential to put had adifficultspellwithinjuryatKent in year and score plentyofpointsfor us.He his localtrack. good thatheisinvolved withEastbourne, In 2019hewasspanneringfor Richard Our otherreserve isanotherlocalrider, I thinkhecanbereally successful this He hassuchaniceridingstyleanditis the defending leaguechampions. can comeupwithagoodresult against together atLeicester andseewhetherwe reason why we cannotdowell inboth. and we have two goodteams. There isno League. whether itbeChampionshiporNational the title. We wantawinningteam, there. good to bebackinvolved andbackout they rideatLeicester onMay19. Itwillbe are the club’s first sideinto actionwhen the Sport. Norman whoismakingrapid progress in July andourothermascotsincludingSeth both before andaer his15thbirthdayin Asset Vinnie Joe-Foord inregular action especially lookforwards to seeingClub for possible future opportunity. We will to those atMSDLlevel lookingto impress some valuabletrack timeandexperience Teams whohave beeninthepastandalso some riders whoaren't currently inNDL fixture. Thiswillgive anopportunityto standalone ChampionshiporNDL-level MSDL level second-halfraces aer any was amatch-winner for usatStoke. managed afew matches for Lakeside, he to his advantage. In2017, whenI lads haven’t andhopefullyhewillusethat there are somany new riders atreserve. and losing,especiallyinaleaguewhere the difference between theteam winning away andgetafew pointsthatcouldbe starts. Ifhemakes goodstartshomeand him. Hecanridethebike andmake good We willwork hard andgettheboys People wantto supportwinningteams I wantusto beupthere challengingfor In summary, theEastbourneSeagulls Arlington willalsoseesomeNDLand He hasthatexperience whichthose Riding for Eastbournewillbegoodfor weeks ago. That bodes well. Moving over from the big track of the Isle of Wight are Chad Wirtzfeld and Connor King. It is a huge contrast between Smallbrook and Arlington but it will be good for their progression to have a different type of home track so they can master that. You don’t want to become a one-trick pony and you have to be able to ride big tracks and small tracks if you wish to become a successful speedway rider. I have only seen Chad race against me a couple of times. He always seems he has something about him to become a decent rider. It will be good to see how he gets on at Eastbourne. A practice session or two and he will not be too far away at all, as will Connor. Both lads will have pressure on them

from the reserves but I am sure they will Nathan Ablitt do well. They will have to be on their toes to score good solid points for us home He has such a nice riding style and it is Riding for Eastbourne will be good for and away but they are up for that. good that he is involved with Eastbourne, him. He can ride the bike and make good Connor rode for us at Plymouth and got his local track. starts. If he makes good starts home and better as the evening went on. He will I think he can be really successful this away and get a few points that could be continue to progress and is very keen to year and score plenty of points for us. He the difference between the team winning come down to Eastbourne and practise as had a difficult spell with injury at Kent in and losing, especially in a league where much as he can. 2019 but he has the potential to put there are so many new riders at reserve. Jake Knight will be a familiar face to many a genuine heat leader and score double I fully expect him to be adding plenty of He may be a slow burner. He won’t go points on his average and I am looking He has that experience which those at Arlington aer his successful spell with figures, at home especially and points to his average. from a four point average to a nine forward to working with him. lads haven’t and hopefully he will use that the club a few years ago in the National contributing away from home will be He has raced in the Championship in overnight but he will just keep chipping Our other reserve is another local rider, to his advantage. In 2017, when I League. I had the pleasure of team vital. 2019 for Somerset so he has a lot of away and adding points to his average. Nick Laurence. I have known him for managed a few matches for Lakeside, he managing him last year when was part of He has it within himself to have a good experience despite being young. I expect This will be good for both Chad and quite a few years. was a match-winner for us at Stoke. the Eagles Select at Plymouth. He seemed season and I know he is delighted to be him to have a very good season. Connor. In 2019 he was spannering for Richard Arlington will also see some NDL and very keen then to get back into Speedway back in Sussex. The opportunity is there for him to push Local lad Nathan Ablitt is at reserve Lawson at home meetings and he is going MSDL level second-half races aer any and proved he could still do it and had the Newcomer to Arlington is Henry Atkins on and become a top rider in the National and I first saw him at Lakeside when I was to be helping Edward Kennett this year. standalone Championship or NDL-level desire to ride Speedway. …it is an absolute mystery to me as to League. managing there in 2018. He was He is a really good character and been fixture. This will give an opportunity to He has plenty of experience and this is a how he is on the average he is. He is a far, From what Ian (Jordan) has told me, practising and racing before the meetings round the National League for a few some riders who aren't currently in NDL great opportunity for him to become an far better rider than the averages Henry learned a lot when he did a and was really impressive. years. Teams who have been in the past and also established No 1 in the National League suggests. practice session at Eastbourne a couple of some valuable track time and experience and really dominate races, especially at to those at MSDL level looking to impress Arlington. I think he will be winning most for possible future opportunity. We will of his races. especially look forwards to seeing Club I think it was a natural thing really for Asset Vinnie Joe-Foord in regular action him to come back once Eastbourne were both before and aer his 15th birthday in back in the NL aer the success he had July and our other mascots including Seth here. He is popular with the fans. Norman who is making rapid progress in Jake ticks all the boxes. I am looking the Sport. forward to working with him and getting In summary, the Eastbourne Seagulls to know him better. are the club’s first side into action when It will give him the opportunity to get they ride at Leicester on May 19. It will be back to Championship and with the good to be back involved and back out ladder between the two Eastbourne there. teams, there is the opportunity to put I want us to be up there challenging for themselves in the shop window. the title. We want a winning team, Another familiar face back at Arlington is whether it be Championship or National Richard Andrews. I managed him a League. couple of times for Cradley. People want to support winning teams He and his dad are super nice guys and and we have two good teams. There is no you always get 110 per cent. reason why we cannot do well in both. He has always been there or We will work hard and get the boys thereabouts in the NDL between second together at Leicester and see whether we string/third heat leader and this is a good can come up with a good result against opportunity for him to establish himself as Connor King the defending league champions.

FLYING HIGH 19 01323 763212

Hailsham Rd, Stone Cross, East Sussex BN24 5BU

20 FLYING HIGH National Development League line-ups

The National Development League has been recast in many ways for the 2021 season. Eastbourne have rejoined the league they won in 2018, this time as the Seagulls which will be the club’s second team. There is now only one standalone club – the Mildenhall Fen Tigers a er the Isle of Wight withdrew to follow a different path. The remaining clubs all have a team riding at a higher level. Armadale ride at Edinburgh.

Here are your runners and riders for the 2021 National Development League

Armadale Devils Berwick Bullets Kent Royals Mildenhall Fen Tigers Sheldon Davies Kyle Bickley Jacob Clouting Sam Bebee Nathan Greaves Greg Blair Jamie Couzins Aaron Butcher Gregor Millar Kieran Douglas Dan Gilkes Jason Edwards Lewis Millar Leon Flint Ryan Kinsley Sam Hagon Danny Phillips Ryan MacDonald Rob Ledwith Jordan Jenkins George Rothery Ben Rathbone Jake Mulford Elliot Kelly Tom Woolley Mason Watson Josh Warren Luke Ruddick

Belle Vue Colts Eastbourne Seagulls Leicester Cubs Newcastle Gems Paul Bowen Nathan Ablitt Joe Lawlor Joe Alcock Connor Coles Richard Andrews Tom Spencer Max Clegg Benji Compton Henry Atkins Dan Thompson Ryan Terry Daley Harry McGurk Connor King Joe Thompson Kelsey Dugard Sam McGurk Jake Knight Ben Trigger Josh Embleton Jack Parkinson-Blackburn Nick Laurence Kai Ward Archie Freeman Ben Woodhull Chad Wirtzfeld TBA Dany Smith

Jake Knight in action for Eastbourne in 2016

FLYING HIGH 21 Nathan Ablitt from Hailsham. It feels like we have been watching Nathan for a long, long time. In one sense that is true but most of his laps round Arlington have been in the junior classes. The race for National His experience on a 500cc bike here is far more limited. Nathan tasted NDL racing for Kent in 2019 before injury ruled him out and now he is looking to press on with his career Development League glory with this home-town team. Eastbourne may be favourites in some people’s eyes but as in all Speedway, SEVEN OF THE eight teams will have two injuries can play apart and dash the best measures of success. Eight teams will battle it out for National laid plans of mouse and man. Those five, including Eastbourne, see Development League (NDL) glory in 2021. There It is also possible that some of our NDL the NDL team as a way of developing team will have to miss matches because riders for the senior team. It’s a worthy are no Play Offs this year in this league - the team of other commitments and that could and sensible objective but make no finishing top will be crowned champions. dent our chances. mistake – they would like to be crowned It is something that can happen to all champions. Paul Watson reviews the prospects. clubs at this level of Speedway. Stand-alone Mildenhall will see success as negotiating the choppy waters of Retain Speedway survival to fight again in 2022 Chad Wirtzfeld is another who has He’s a hard worker and improved lap by Leicester will be out to retain the NDL title but the Fen folk will be smiling from great talent on a motor-cycle and is now lap; just as he did when he put in an and have two great prospects in the ear-to-ear if they can emerge at the top of building a Speedway career as well. appearance for Eastbourne Select in a Thompson twins. the pile against their more (perhaps) His previous home was the wide open 3TT at Plymouth last year. Unfortunately, Jamie Halder misses the glamorous rivals. spaces of the Isle of Wight (he is a long start of the year through injury and at the Eastbourne set the dovecots fluttering track racer too) so he was another Plenty of experience time of writing they had not named a with their National Development League working hard at the club’s practice Nick Laurence has plenty of experience at replacement. That could well have a big squad. The mix of experience and sessions to sort out Arlington. this level of Speedway and the team will impact on their chances of success. youthful promise looks like a perfect Connor King had never been to be able to look to him for sage advice Of course, if they pull the proverbial cocktail for success and one that will Arlington until he arrived for the club’s when it comes to racing and the rabbit out of the hat, things could well be entertain at home and away. first practice session of 2021. He had also mechanical side of things. There’s more different. Many have installed the Seagulls as ridden for the Isle of Wight so it’s a case of about Nick in the MSDL Seagulls preview. Kent have also made a late change and favourites for the NDL title and you can him dialling in. And last and certainly not least is brought in Jamie Couzins for Jamie Bursill see why. and that could be a net gain for the Thrilling rider Royals. They certainly are going to be in the mix The team is led by Jake Knight who is one for the title and I would make them of the most thrilling riders to watch in favourites. British Speedway. Jake believes in there or thereabouts in the NDL for a time Freeman but he is not one I have seen so entertaining the fans and the way he Outstanding talent but their big hope must be Jack look forward to seeing him very soon at throws the bike round Arlington can be They have the outstanding talent of Dan Parkinson-Blackburn. He was a big gun at Arlington. thrilling, if not a little bit heart-stopping at Gilkes, backed by the experience of Ryan this level – remember him riding agains Top of the tree for the Gems is Max times. He rides it like it stole it, comes to Kinsley and Rob Ledwith. Throw in the the Eagles for Birmingham? Clegg. Max, who as a real youngster was mind. emerging talent of Jake Mulford and this If JPB gets back on it, don’t rule the draed in by the Eagles in Elite League Jake is set to be a big beast in this NDL. could turn into a coronation for the Colts from a title tilt; especially with Benji days as a guest for a match at King’s Lynn. Richie Andrews had a smile a mile wide Central Park outfit if one of the others also Compton back. Max probably has not made the when he walked into the pits for a comes on strong. Kelsey Dugard, once dubbed (probably progress many and himself perhaps pre-season practice session. He was Mildenhall also look pretty handy, by his brother Connor) as the King of would have expected but it’s not too late. popular with the fans when he rode for especially with Jason Edwards leading the Crash returns to riding with the Newcastle He should smash this league. the club before - OK and dad, Gary is too team. Jason thrives on ‘laps’ and Gems. You never knew if he was going to - and is just delighted to be back. hopefully he will get plenty around West win the race until he crossed the line. Big hopes He is really looking forward to Row with every heat 15 that’s going. A few years on and greater maturity, I Berwick Bullets have two of Britain’s big connecting again with the fans at Sam Bebee has been blighted by injury expect Kelsey to kick on and still be hopes for the future in Leon Flint and Kyle Arlington. but looks good and Jordan Jenkins knows speedy, gutsy but will make better Bickley. I also hear good things of Kieran Richie is from the Exeter area as is Henry the Mildenhall track well and will thrive decisions in the heat of racing. Douglas and Mason Watson (he’s no Atkins. Many tip Henry for big success in on the extra rides at Championship level The Gems think highly of Archie relation, before you ask). Speedway. It maybe a name we don’t with Redcar. However, if think there are too many know too well at Arlington but that’s likely Sam Hagon has a well deserved place ‘ifs’ around Berwick for them to be to change pretty soon. in the NDL and he too should thrive there. genuine title challengers. Key to the door Belle Vue Colts are a famous name in Armadale (Edinburgh) are another team British Speedway and is good to see with a No 1 who has not as yet fulfilled his Henry has had a few outings at Arlington them come to tapes again in 2021. They promise. Nathan Greaves should be in the past but never really unlocked the will have huge home advantage because outstanding in this year’s league. Danny track’s secrets…with some practice and most riders at this level have so little Phillips and Tom Woolley are established guidance from the club’s more senior experience on such a fast track. at this level but with three newcomers in

riders, he will soon find the key of the Hinves Mike The McGurk boys are another two big the team, I find it hard to believe they will door. Richard Andrews in Eastbourne Eagles colours in 2016. emerging talents, Connor Coles has been challenge for the title.

22 FLYING HIGH Nathan Ablitt from Hailsham. It feels like we have been watching Nathan for a long, long time. In one sense that is true but most of his laps round Arlington have been in the junior classes. His experience on a 500cc bike here is far more limited. Nathan tasted NDL racing for Kent in 2019 before injury ruled him out and now he is looking to press on with his career with this home-town team. Eastbourne may be favourites in some people’s eyes but as in all Speedway, SEVEN OF THE eight teams will have two injuries can play apart and dash the best measures of success. laid plans of mouse and man. Those five, including Eastbourne, see It is also possible that some of our NDL the NDL team as a way of developing team will have to miss matches because riders for the senior team. It’s a worthy of other commitments and that could and sensible objective but make no dent our chances. mistake – they would like to be crowned It is something that can happen to all champions. clubs at this level of Speedway. Hinves Mike Stand-alone Mildenhall will see success as negotiating the choppy waters of Retain Speedway survival to fight again in 2022 Chad Wirtzfeld is another who has He’s a hard worker and improved lap by Leicester will be out to retain the NDL title but the Fen folk will be smiling from great talent on a motor-cycle and is now lap; just as he did when he put in an and have two great prospects in the ear-to-ear if they can emerge at the top of building a Speedway career as well. appearance for Eastbourne Select in a Thompson twins. the pile against their more (perhaps) His previous home was the wide open 3TT at Plymouth last year. Unfortunately, Jamie Halder misses the glamorous rivals. spaces of the Isle of Wight (he is a long start of the year through injury and at the Eastbourne set the dovecots fluttering track racer too) so he was another Plenty of experience time of writing they had not named a with their National Development League working hard at the club’s practice Nick Laurence has plenty of experience at replacement. That could well have a big squad. The mix of experience and sessions to sort out Arlington. this level of Speedway and the team will impact on their chances of success. youthful promise looks like a perfect Connor King had never been to be able to look to him for sage advice Of course, if they pull the proverbial cocktail for success and one that will Arlington until he arrived for the club’s when it comes to racing and the rabbit out of the hat, things could well be entertain at home and away. first practice session of 2021. He had also mechanical side of things. There’s more different. Many have installed the Seagulls as ridden for the Isle of Wight so it’s a case of about Nick in the MSDL Seagulls preview. Kent have also made a late change and favourites for the NDL title and you can him dialling in. And last and certainly not least is brought in Jamie Couzins for Jamie Bursill see why. and that could be a net gain for the Thrilling rider Royals.

They certainly are going to be in the mix Hinves Mike The team is led by Jake Knight who is one for the title and I would make them Eastbourne Seagull Nathan Ablitt taks to Eastbourne Eagle Drew Kemp at Arlington last month. of the most thrilling riders to watch in favourites. British Speedway. Jake believes in there or thereabouts in the NDL for a time Freeman but he is not one I have seen so entertaining the fans and the way he Outstanding talent but their big hope must be Jack look forward to seeing him very soon at throws the bike round Arlington can be They have the outstanding talent of Dan Parkinson-Blackburn. He was a big gun at Arlington. thrilling, if not a little bit heart-stopping at Gilkes, backed by the experience of Ryan this level – remember him riding agains Top of the tree for the Gems is Max times. He rides it like it stole it, comes to Kinsley and Rob Ledwith. Throw in the the Eagles for Birmingham? Clegg. Max, who as a real youngster was mind. emerging talent of Jake Mulford and this If JPB gets back on it, don’t rule the draed in by the Eagles in Elite League Jake is set to be a big beast in this NDL. could turn into a coronation for the Colts from a title tilt; especially with Benji days as a guest for a match at King’s Lynn. Richie Andrews had a smile a mile wide Central Park outfit if one of the others also Compton back. Max probably has not made the when he walked into the pits for a comes on strong. Kelsey Dugard, once dubbed (probably progress many and himself perhaps pre-season practice session. He was Mildenhall also look pretty handy, by his brother Connor) as the King of would have expected but it’s not too late. popular with the fans when he rode for especially with Jason Edwards leading the Crash returns to riding with the Newcastle He should smash this league. the club before - OK and dad, Gary is too team. Jason thrives on ‘laps’ and Gems. You never knew if he was going to - and is just delighted to be back. hopefully he will get plenty around West win the race until he crossed the line. Big hopes He is really looking forward to Row with every heat 15 that’s going. A few years on and greater maturity, I Berwick Bullets have two of Britain’s big connecting again with the fans at Sam Bebee has been blighted by injury expect Kelsey to kick on and still be hopes for the future in Leon Flint and Kyle Arlington. but looks good and Jordan Jenkins knows speedy, gutsy but will make better Bickley. I also hear good things of Kieran Richie is from the Exeter area as is Henry the Mildenhall track well and will thrive decisions in the heat of racing. Douglas and Mason Watson (he’s no Atkins. Many tip Henry for big success in on the extra rides at Championship level The Gems think highly of Archie relation, before you ask). Speedway. It maybe a name we don’t with Redcar. However, if think there are too many know too well at Arlington but that’s likely Sam Hagon has a well deserved place ‘ifs’ around Berwick for them to be to change pretty soon. in the NDL and he too should thrive there. Eastbourne’s mix of genuine title challengers. Key to the door Belle Vue Colts are a famous name in Armadale (Edinburgh) are another team British Speedway and is good to see experience and youthful with a No 1 who has not as yet fulfilled his Henry has had a few outings at Arlington them come to tapes again in 2021. They promise looks like a perfect promise. Nathan Greaves should be in the past but never really unlocked the will have huge home advantage because outstanding in this year’s league. Danny track’s secrets…with some practice and most riders at this level have so little cocktail for success and one Phillips and Tom Woolley are established guidance from the club’s more senior experience on such a fast track. at this level but with three newcomers in Mike Hinves Mike that will entertain at home riders, he will soon find the key of the The McGurk boys are another two big the team, I find it hard to believe they will door. emerging talents, Connor Coles has been and away. challenge for the title.

FLYING HIGH 23 24 FLYING24 HIGH Mike Hinves Nick Laurence Seagulls! nose) thathecanshare withtheother access to somegreat value parts(taps Knowing Nick,he’ll alsoprobably have the team withbike setupsandadvice. looking for himto really helptherest of Richard Lawson recently, andwe’ll worked withbothEdward Kennett and seriously andinhisown inimitablestyle. his captaincyresponsibilities very with theEaglesandwill,nodoubt,take dominate theopposition. Arlington where itisvitalthatwe very difficultto beatespeciallyaround gater andifhemakes starts,shouldprove big pointsfrom Nick.Heisavery good their MSDLoperation to Swindon in2019. a meetingwhentheRacers decamped over 10points and returned over 8points at Eastbourne) in2018averaging well Hammers in2017. including aseasonfor theLakeside been ridingfor well over adecade, the Seagulls’NDLsidein2021. again thisseason,liningupatreserve in some timeintheleagueabove andwillso Racers andMKKnightsbuthasspent level predominantly withtheReading high regard by allhisteammates. is theleaderofgroup andisheldin Captain oftheMSDLSeagulls,Nickreally Nick isaskilledmechanic,having Being alocallad,hefeels agreat affinity On track, we’ll definitely belookingfor He skippered Reading (whowere based Now the‘wrong side’ of30, Nickhas He hasagreat dealofexperience atthis Introducing the James! rank’ solookoutfor agreat year for Wirtzfeld) hemustbethenext ‘cab offthe (including ourown Connor KingandChad riders from 2019now inNDLteams machines andwithmany ofthetop MSDL knows hiswayaround bothtracks and Academy sohedefinitely in2018/19 progress inthesport. no doubtinghisdetermination to reserved character thanmost, butthere’s rider attheendofthatseason. was thebest‘non-NationalLeague’ MSDL 9.52 (9.65 incbonus) whichmeanthe points from 10meetingsandaveraging scorer that year accumulating‘paid’ 70 James wasaconsistent performer and skippering theirMSDLteam in2019. has riddenfor theWeymouth Wildcats, Kestrels in2018butslightlyfurtherafield, numerous SDLappearances for Kent season. the number1race jacket bytheendof and to bechallengingNickLaurence for James to fillaheatleaderrole intheteam As theseasonstarts,we willbelookingat James Laker Speedway, introduces theSeagulls. Mark Sexton, adirector oftheSave Thurrock Hammers individual championshipatArlington. and Birminghamwillalsotake placeinaseason-long will beincompetitive leagueactionagainstWolverhampton The Seagulls,powered bySave Thurrock Hammers Speedway, Weymouth. Now theyhave theirown team to cheer. years whenArlington hosted Nomadclubs,Reading and Eastbourne fans sawquite abitofMSDL-level racing inrecent He wasastudentofthePoultec By hisown admission, James isamore Born andraised inKent, James made

Kevin Whiting in next season’s SeagullsNDLlineup. this year, ishopingto fulfilambitionsto be Somerset to Eastbourneand,like Henry Seagull HenryAtkin’s tyre tracks from now determined to follow infellow (NDL) grass in2018,dominatinghisclass andis spaces here atArlington. rapid stridesontherelatively wide-open Plymouth sowe’re expecting himto make at practising hard onthe‘tiddler’ adapt to hisnew hometrack buthe’s been Somerset, Elimaytake alittle timeto positive attitude andsenseofhumour. impressed everyone withhiswork ethic, job/apprenticeship andhasalready Worcestershire, Eli hasafull-time (with bonuspoints). Racers averaging justover apointride MK Knightsandfive timesfor theReading once for theIsleofWight, twicefor the eight MSDLmatches. elsewhere, appearingcompetitively in letter ofintent buthehasalsoridden for acoupleofyears andsigninganofficial Oak Track Arena aer beingtheirmascot with plentyoflapsunderhisbeltatthe fair amount ofexperience underhisbelt. but despite hisyouth healready hasgota obviously justmakinghiswayinthesport youngest riderinoursquad,Eliis A Eli Meadows t justturned17inApril,andthe Eli enjoyed asuccessful year onthe Away from thesweeping turnsat Hailing from Evesham in In 2019, agedjust15,heturnedout Eli isofficiallyaSomerset Rebels asset

Kevin Whiting MSDLSeagulls

Kevin Whiting our chancesof MSDL success. progress thisyear whichwill begreat for surprised ifJosh makes significant top-class advicesowe shouldn’t be in hiscorner, willbegetting some immaculately turnedoutandwithDanny the opposite side ofthepits! so atsomepointthisyear, hewillbeon reserve spotwiththeKent Royals for 2021 notice asJosh hasbeen handedanNDL October. Crayford (Lydd) ‘behindcloseddoors’ last Thurrock Hammers team thatrode at made hiscompetitive team debutfor the impressed everyone watching whenhe meeting atScunthorpeandhegreatly water, winning aclass athisfirst amateur father). many years now –Rob Warren isJosh’s that hasappeared onhismachineryfor be familiar withthe‘R.JWarren’ branding at somepoint.(Supporters ofDanny may speedway track was,perhaps,inevitable for many years, atransition to the friend ofex- BritishChampionDanny King rider andhaving beenaclosepersonal that muchofasurprise. category althoughmaybeitshouldn’t be nowhere andJosh probably falls into that Sometimes riders seemto appearoutof Josh Warren There’s nodoubt thathewillbe Someone inKent wasobviously taking Josh istakingto theshalelike aduckto Josh, 21,isanaccomplishedMoto-X

Kevin Whiting in! rider ashe‘llcertainlybeputting themiles the travelling aspectoflife asaspeedway variety oftracks. with somevaluableextra meetingsona League which,oncefit,willprovide him Ashfield GiantsintheNorthernJunior circuit. Seagulls onthebusiness networking job promoting bothhimselfandthe hard onhisfitness andalsodoingagreat points onhisfirst visitto thetrack. fixture atLydd, scoringacreditable five also rode for theThurrock Hammers inthe 2019, makingprogress year onyear. He another five matches for theWildcats in Weymouth Wildcats in2018 and in recovery. a coupleofmonthsrecuperation and which hasmeantanoperation andatleast (football related) injuryto hisleankle put somewhat onicebyanunfortunate on track for theSeagulls,have bothbeen success, andhisplannedfor appearances University ofNorthampton. with life asadrama studentatthe been combininghison-track appearances speedway for aboutfour years andhas James hasbeenridingamateur andMSDL James Jessop It’s agreat jobthatJames actuallyenjoys James hasbeenrecruited bythe Before hisrecent injury, hewasworking James appeared infour matches for the He’s dueto graduate thisyear butthat is whatCesca would expect usto do. as any othermemberofthesquad –which speedway rider. We willtreat herthesame the exclusion ofherdevelopment asa for women inmotorsport (whichsheis) to emphasis onCesca’ srole asatrailblazer the Seagulls. commitment to makingprogress andto which onlygoesto demonstrate her winter, lookingfor practice opportunities, has beenasbusy asany riderthrough the speedway andarange ofothertopics. (Coventry/Warwickshire) to discuss on herlocalBBCradio station professional magazineandalsoappeared business groups, written anarticlefor her speedway related presentations to Directors. with theNationalAssociation ofFuneral job astheProject andStrategy Adviser Alec Wright andhasrecently taken anew female rider. season astheleague’s top averaged Wildcats team in2019andfinishedthe Cesca rode for theWeymouth(JJ), competitive fixture later thisseason. of themrace againsteachotherina few years ago. encouraged herto give speedwayatry since herfriendRachelHellowell making consistent stridesinthesport (with hertwinHannah)andhasbeen Cesca isonehalfofthe‘ShaleSisters’ Cesca Wright It would beeasy to placetoo much Despite allofthesecommitments,Cesca Over thewinter, shehasmadeseveral Cesca ismarriedto former MSDLrider Like bothJames Laker andJames Jessop It willbeagreat momentwhenthetwo FLYING HIGH 25

Kevin Whiting Feedback when we took over the running of the club to be open, If you have any questions, thoughts; feedback or comments we transparent and approachable at all times. There is no need to are more than happy to listen, learn, implement and discuss have to hide behind false names or be scared to voice an where we can. As you will know by now, we do try to monitor opinion in fear of being banned or penalised, we actively seek Social Media and Forums and answer directly where possible, your views and opinions as without you, our Supporters there Essential guide to Arlington but it’s not always possible to pick up every query or concern. would be no Speedway. Please feel free to engage with us at all times. SPEEDWAY plans to return to Arlington Stadium on The best way to contact and communicate with us is via e-mail to 2021 Admission Prices Adult – anyone aged 16 to 64 at time of purchasing Ticket [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you all in May. Saturday, May 22, when Newcastle visit. PLAN C – Covid-19 Attendance Restricted Match – Concession – Age 65 or over at time of purchasing Ticket / Hailsham bend and home straight area up to turnstile area. all Fixtures prior to at least June 30, 2021 Registered Disabled – with 1 Free Carer. (Limited Disabled Places We have made a real effort since the Spring of 2019 Thank You and please Stay Safe and Healthy This is a double header with the Championship league 7. You cannot move between the two areas. (This ensures social match against the Diamonds starting at 5pm (note the are available please see Booking Terms and Conditions for more distancing to agreed limits with Local Authority and must be information). * start time), followed by the NDL match against the strictly adhered to) Children – Age 12 -15 over 12 but under 16 on the date of Ticket Newcastle Gems. 8. Area 1 will have a specific turnstile, as will Area 2. Purchase * 9. Car parking: Cars will be parked in designated areas which will Under 12 – Age Under 12 on the date of Ticket Purchase – FREE * It’s still four riders, four laps and they’re still correspond to the area of the stadium for which you have turning le . Some things have not changed. (* Proof of Age may be requested on specific occasions) purchased tickets. Full details of this will be issued in the weeks (* definition is date you PURCHASE the Ticket NOT the Date of However, Covid-19 regulations means there will be before fixtures commence. the Match) 10. Programmes will be sold in plastic packets. £3 per programme. changes from what you will have been used to in Note: In the case of double headers, there is no separate Correct money only. No change given. They will also be available admission for one or other of the two meetings. previous seasons. ONLINE as a download also for the cost of £3.00. Adult – anyone aged 16 to 64 at time of purchasing ticket Here’s Flying High’s quick guide. 11. Specific seats cannot be pre-booked and will be strictly limited Concession – Age 65 or over at time of purchasing Ticket / Registered Purchase advance tickets for the opening fixtures. to be available within set social distancing guidelines and Disabled – with 1 Free Carer. (Limited Disabled Places are available Advance tickets are now available The Championship / NDL 1. Entry by advance purchase ONLINE tickets only criteria. If seated / sitting you will be shown to your seats by a please see Booking Terms and Conditions for more information). * Double header against The Newcastle Diamonds on 2. No “on-the-day” walk-up admission by cash/card (This is Steward and will be socially distanced from anyone outside of Children – Age under 16 but over 5 on the date of Ticket Purchase * Saturday 22nd May (5pm start), and the eagerly awaited Government / Local Authority ruling that we have to strictly your group once seated. We will attempt to seat you in your Under 5 – Age Under 5 on the date of Ticket Purchase – FREE * A South Coast Derby against The Poole Pirates Sat 29th May enforce) preferred area but seating will be on a first come, first served ticket must be booked for the child, even though admission is free. (7.30pm start). 3. 2020 Season tickets and 10-match tickets remain valid. basis. (* Proof of Age may be requested on specific occasions) DISABLED SUPPORTERS - We have space for five wheelchairs Holders of these tickets DO NOT have to book and you will 12. Spectators will not be allowed into the pits before or aer the (* definition is date you PURCHASE the Ticket NOT the Date of the and nominated carers. This is located in Area 1 – please NOT receive new tickets for the 2021 season. There will be a meeting. Sorry, but again this is to ensure Covid security. Match) contact us at [email protected] for dedicated, clearly marked, entrance point for season ticket / 13. You can read more and keep find out the latest on the club further details 10-match ticket holders. website here and here. PLAN A – Aspirational Match Pricing – A maximum of 6 tickets can be ordered per purchase. When 4. General admission tickets are on sale now for the first four 14. Please follow the instructions of stewards at all times. post Covid-19 Restricted Crowds ordering your tickets you will go through the following matches to enable fans to budget and phase their spending. 15. Everyone who has purchased tickets ONLINE will be sent an process: 5. Eastbourne Speedway WILL require a valid e-mail address and update e-mail 24 hours before the Match to detail any changes / • Select the number of tickets & area you wish to purchase. contact telephone number when ordering your ticket(s) for us easements to Covid-19 policy between the time the Tickets were • Complete your details as specified within the process. to be able to send your electronic tickets to you. (We can purchased and the Match taking place. • Complete your payment details and order. accept no responsibility if invalid email addresses are 16. It is envisaged that these processes will apply to ALL Speedway • Order will now be complete. provided). fixtures at Arlington until at least 21st June 2021 and most To purchase tickets, please click on the image below and follow 6. Inside Arlington: You will find the stadium is split into two probably a lot longer (21st June is the date of the planned final the online process. areas. Area 1: Home Straight covered stand and stock car track easing of restrictions laid out by UK Government which may or See also our Frequently Asked Questions section on the website and 1st PITS bend terracing. Area 2: Back straight grandstand + may not change)

26 FLYING HIGH Feedback when we took over the running of the club to be open, If you have any questions, thoughts; feedback or comments we transparent and approachable at all times. There is no need to are more than happy to listen, learn, implement and discuss have to hide behind false names or be scared to voice an where we can. As you will know by now, we do try to monitor opinion in fear of being banned or penalised, we actively seek Social Media and Forums and answer directly where possible, your views and opinions as without you, our Supporters there Speedway matches but it’s not always possible to pick up every query or concern. would be no Speedway. Please feel free to engage with us at all times. The best way to contact and communicate with us is via e-mail to 2021 Admission Prices Adult – anyone aged 16 to 64 at time of purchasing Ticket [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you all in May. PLAN C – Covid-19 Attendance Restricted Match – Concession – Age 65 or over at time of purchasing Ticket / Hailsham bend and home straight area up to turnstile area. all Fixtures prior to at least June 30, 2021 Registered Disabled – with 1 Free Carer. (Limited Disabled Places We have made a real effort since the Spring of 2019 Thank You and please Stay Safe and Healthy 7. You cannot move between the two areas. (This ensures social are available please see Booking Terms and Conditions for more distancing to agreed limits with Local Authority and must be information). * strictly adhered to) Meeting Type Adult Concession Children Under 5-15 5s Children – Age 12 -15 over 12 but under 16 on the date of Ticket 8. Area 1 will have a specific turnstile, as will Area 2. Purchase * 9. Car parking: Cars will be parked in designated areas which will CL - Championship 18.00 16.00 5.00 Free Under 12 – Age Under 12 on the date of Ticket Purchase – FREE * correspond to the area of the stadium for which you have (* Proof of Age may be requested on specific occasions) purchased tickets. Full details of this will be issued in the weeks NDL - National League 10.00 10.00 5.00 Free (* definition is date you PURCHASE the Ticket NOT the Date of before fixtures commence. CL/NDL - Double Header 24.00 24.00 5.00 Free the Match) 10. Programmes will be sold in plastic packets. £3 per programme. Note: In the case of double headers, there is no separate Correct money only. No change given. They will also be available admission for one or other of the two meetings. ONLINE as a download also for the cost of £3.00. Adult – anyone aged 16 to 64 at time of purchasing ticket 11. Specific seats cannot be pre-booked and will be strictly limited Concession – Age 65 or over at time of purchasing Ticket / Registered Purchase advance tickets for the opening fixtures. to be available within set social distancing guidelines and Disabled – with 1 Free Carer. (Limited Disabled Places are available Advance tickets are now available The Championship / NDL 1. Entry by advance purchase ONLINE tickets only criteria. If seated / sitting you will be shown to your seats by a please see Booking Terms and Conditions for more information). * Double header against The Newcastle Diamonds on 2. No “on-the-day” walk-up admission by cash/card (This is Steward and will be socially distanced from anyone outside of Children – Age under 16 but over 5 on the date of Ticket Purchase * Saturday 22nd May (5pm start), and the eagerly awaited Government / Local Authority ruling that we have to strictly your group once seated. We will attempt to seat you in your Under 5 – Age Under 5 on the date of Ticket Purchase – FREE * A South Coast Derby against The Poole Pirates Sat 29th May enforce) preferred area but seating will be on a first come, first served ticket must be booked for the child, even though admission is free. (7.30pm start). 3. 2020 Season tickets and 10-match tickets remain valid. basis. (* Proof of Age may be requested on specific occasions) DISABLED SUPPORTERS - We have space for five wheelchairs Holders of these tickets DO NOT have to book and you will 12. Spectators will not be allowed into the pits before or aer the (* definition is date you PURCHASE the Ticket NOT the Date of the and nominated carers. This is located in Area 1 – please NOT receive new tickets for the 2021 season. There will be a meeting. Sorry, but again this is to ensure Covid security. Match) contact us at [email protected] for dedicated, clearly marked, entrance point for season ticket / 13. You can read more and keep find out the latest on the club further details 10-match ticket holders. website here and here. PLAN A – Aspirational Match Pricing – A maximum of 6 tickets can be ordered per purchase. When 4. General admission tickets are on sale now for the first four 14. Please follow the instructions of stewards at all times. post Covid-19 Restricted Crowds ordering your tickets you will go through the following matches to enable fans to budget and phase their spending. 15. Everyone who has purchased tickets ONLINE will be sent an process: 5. Eastbourne Speedway WILL require a valid e-mail address and update e-mail 24 hours before the Match to detail any changes / Meeting Type Adult Concession Children Under • Select the number of tickets & area you wish to purchase. contact telephone number when ordering your ticket(s) for us easements to Covid-19 policy between the time the Tickets were 12-15 12s • Complete your details as specified within the process. to be able to send your electronic tickets to you. (We can purchased and the Match taking place. • Complete your payment details and order. accept no responsibility if invalid email addresses are 16. It is envisaged that these processes will apply to ALL Speedway CL - Championship 18.00 16.00 5.00 Free • Order will now be complete. provided). fixtures at Arlington until at least 21st June 2021 and most NDL - National League 10.00 10.00 5.00 Free To purchase tickets, please click on the image below and follow 6. Inside Arlington: You will find the stadium is split into two probably a lot longer (21st June is the date of the planned final the online process. areas. Area 1: Home Straight covered stand and stock car track easing of restrictions laid out by UK Government which may or CL/NDL - Double Header 24.00 24.00 5.00 Free See also our Frequently Asked Questions section on the website and 1st PITS bend terracing. Area 2: Back straight grandstand + may not change)

FLYING HIGH 27 Feedback when we took over the running of the club to be open, If you have any questions, thoughts; feedback or comments we transparent and approachable at all times. There is no need to are more than happy to listen, learn, implement and discuss have to hide behind false names or be scared to voice an where we can. As you will know by now, we do try to monitor opinion in fear of being banned or penalised, we actively seek Social Media and Forums and answer directly where possible, your views and opinions as without you, our Supporters there but it’s not always possible to pick up every query or concern. would be no Speedway. Please feel free to engage with us at all times. The best way to contact and communicate with us is via e-mail to 2021 Admission Prices Adult – anyone aged 16 to 64 at time of purchasing Ticket [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you all in May. PLAN C – Covid-19 Attendance Restricted Match – Concession – Age 65 or over at time of purchasing Ticket / Hailsham bend and home straight area up to turnstile area. all Fixtures prior to at least June 30, 2021 Registered Disabled – with 1 Free Carer. (Limited Disabled Places We have made a real effort since the Spring of 2019 Thank You and please Stay Safe and Healthy 7. You cannot move between the two areas. (This ensures social are available please see Booking Terms and Conditions for more distancing to agreed limits with Local Authority and must be information). * strictly adhered to) Children – Age 12 -15 over 12 but under 16 on the date of Ticket 8. Area 1 will have a specific turnstile, as will Area 2. Purchase * 9. Car parking: Cars will be parked in designated areas which will Under 12 – Age Under 12 on the date of Ticket Purchase – FREE * correspond to the area of the stadium for which you have (* Proof of Age may be requested on specific occasions) purchased tickets. Full details of this will be issued in the weeks (* definition is date you PURCHASE the Ticket NOT the Date of before fixtures commence. the Match) 10. Programmes will be sold in plastic packets. £3 per programme. Note: In the case of double headers, there is no separate Correct money only. No change given. They will also be available admission for one or other of the two meetings. ONLINE as a download also for the cost of £3.00. Adult – anyone aged 16 to 64 at time of purchasing ticket 11. Specific seats cannot be pre-booked and will be strictly limited Concession – Age 65 or over at time of purchasing Ticket / Registered Purchase advance tickets for the opening fixtures. to be available within set social distancing guidelines and Disabled – with 1 Free Carer. (Limited Disabled Places are available Advance tickets are now available The Championship / NDL 1. Entry by advance purchase ONLINE tickets only criteria. If seated / sitting you will be shown to your seats by a please see Booking Terms and Conditions for more information). * Double header against The Newcastle Diamonds on 2. No “on-the-day” walk-up admission by cash/card (This is Steward and will be socially distanced from anyone outside of Children – Age under 16 but over 5 on the date of Ticket Purchase * Saturday 22nd May (5pm start), and the eagerly awaited Government / Local Authority ruling that we have to strictly your group once seated. We will attempt to seat you in your Under 5 – Age Under 5 on the date of Ticket Purchase – FREE * A South Coast Derby against The Poole Pirates Sat 29th May enforce) preferred area but seating will be on a first come, first served ticket must be booked for the child, even though admission is free. (7.30pm start). 3. 2020 Season tickets and 10-match tickets remain valid. basis. (* Proof of Age may be requested on specific occasions) DISABLED SUPPORTERS - We have space for five wheelchairs Holders of these tickets DO NOT have to book and you will 12. Spectators will not be allowed into the pits before or aer the (* definition is date you PURCHASE the Ticket NOT the Date of the and nominated carers. This is located in Area 1 – please NOT receive new tickets for the 2021 season. There will be a meeting. Sorry, but again this is to ensure Covid security. Match) contact us at [email protected] for dedicated, clearly marked, entrance point for season ticket / 13. You can read more and keep find out the latest on the club further details 10-match ticket holders. website here and here. PLAN A – Aspirational Match Pricing – A maximum of 6 tickets can be ordered per purchase. When 4. General admission tickets are on sale now for the first four 14. Please follow the instructions of stewards at all times. post Covid-19 Restricted Crowds ordering your tickets you will go through the following matches to enable fans to budget and phase their spending. 15. Everyone who has purchased tickets ONLINE will be sent an process: 5. Eastbourne Speedway WILL require a valid e-mail address and update e-mail 24 hours before the Match to detail any changes / • Select the number of tickets & area you wish to purchase. contact telephone number when ordering your ticket(s) for us easements to Covid-19 policy between the time the Tickets were • Complete your details as specified within the process. to be able to send your electronic tickets to you. (We can purchased and the Match taking place. • Complete your payment details and order. accept no responsibility if invalid email addresses are 16. It is envisaged that these processes will apply to ALL Speedway • Order will now be complete. provided). fixtures at Arlington until at least 21st June 2021 and most To purchase tickets, please click on the image below and follow 6. Inside Arlington: You will find the stadium is split into two probably a lot longer (21st June is the date of the planned final the online process. areas. Area 1: Home Straight covered stand and stock car track easing of restrictions laid out by UK Government which may or See also our Frequently Asked Questions section on the website and 1st PITS bend terracing. Area 2: Back straight grandstand + may not change)

28 FLYING HIGH Surely, only doyen Speedway journalist Dick Barrie is the only the scribe around who Go-ahead promotions can get taking the head off a JAP engine and unhooking a bra in the same sentence. It’s one to make us smile but will reap the benefits there’s some very serious point here about the future of the sport we all love.

IT WOULD BE NICE to report that the invitation ‘dropped onto my door-mat with a thud’ in the traditional way, but in fact it arrived – like so many communications in today’s electronic world – by e-mail. The HG Aerospace Eagles have an online magazine, would I like to put in a page? Musing that the editorial team must be barrel-bottom-scraping to have to ask, I was of course pleased and proud to Dick Barrie with Gordon Kennett at Arlington in 2019 accept this out-of-the-blue-clear-sky invitation – even if 90% of the readership (of what I can see, aer a quick shui This was at Shielfield Park of course, and Looks folks, as this nation – which through the first five editions is a cracking I recall a close enough encounter (a 40-37 misguidedly voted for Brexit – as a direct wee read) won’t have a scooby-doo who I home win) which had Trevor Geer result finds itself running short of overseas am. contributing two points to the visiting riders who can’t get visas, or flights, or out I note from the last Flying High that it cause, while the 18-year-old Gordon of jail in Poland to race here, it will be clubs will be over six hundred days between the Kennett’s dozen kept the Eagles in touch with go-ahead promotions like those at last meeting at Arlington and this year’s until the final heat. Shielfield Park and Arlington who pipe-opener later in the month. In 2019 (I almost wrote ‘last season’ as it long-term benefit, harvesting the cream of Is that all? is already difficult to realise there’s a year the crop of young British riders who will I can go back a whole lot longer than completely missing from all our speedway emerge from the National Development that... lives) I had the pleasure of meeting up with League in this and future seasons. During the winter of 1971/72, I had both Trevor and Gordon when our clubs Keyboard critics who don’t want a been tapped up (at a domestic ice-racing met again at Arlington, again in May. second squad tacked onto their meeting in Edinburgh) by Berwick We all looked just the same – honest! Championship side are clearly the kind of promoter Ken Taylor and asked if I might I’m hoping to meet these guys again this dopes who would prefer the kind of be available to act as their track coming season, in August – Sunday 15th at promoter who goes by the ethic of “leave announcer for a few weeks early in the Arlington and close to a fortnight later at your money at the turnstile and shut up”. coming speedway season. Shielfield Park on Saturday 28th . This type of entrepreneur oen ends up Those “few weeks” have so far lasted These promise to be occasions worthy of leaving town in a hurry, hotly followed by around half a century. Therefore, the first two famous clubs, encompassing no less former fans keen to honour them with a time I saw Eastbourne Eagles racing was than SIXTY races over the two meetings. nice coating of tar (with optional feathers). on Saturday, May 6, 1972 – almost exactly Both Eastbourne and Berwick have I’ve been around (understatement alert) a forty-nine years ago. made the bold step of entering a second goodly while and I respect clear-thinking, side in the NDL this coming summer, and forward-planning promotion of our sport. (sensibly, given the travelling involved) I should also say I am really looking have each agreed to stage double-header forward to this coming year. Indeed, I meetings to take care of business at both eagerly look forward to waking up in the Championship (Eagles and Bandits) and morning – nothing’s guaranteed – and I NDL (Seagulls against Bullets) levels. want to capture every last moment of every Now here’s the thing. season, shaking the remaining pixie-dust The concept of running two parallel over every new memory. teams is bright, breezy and just what you This will, unbelievably (to me, anyway) might expect from progressive and be my seventy-third season. energetic promotions – yet I’m hearing I was taken to see the bikes at an early that there are sad malcontents (both in the age and by the time I was ten or eleven I north and south) who have taken to social was hanging around the workshops at media to complain about, well, everything Glasgow’s old White City aer school, Above: Shielfied in 1972. about the two-team approach. running errands for the guys and watching It's a bit tidier now, but the The kind of cynic who looks on progress the machinery being fettled. Bandits keep on winning! in speedway presentation in much the way I was shown how to take the cylinder Right: Don't go to an ice head off a JAP engine before I learned how speedway match if you a grumpy middle-aged wife looks at her don't want to be lumbered husband when the Monster girls appear at to unhook a bra. Which might explain a few with a job for fiy years! the starting-gate. things, I guess...

FLYING HIGH 29 30 FLYING HIGH duringa practice session atArlington. pictured roght withEagleLewi Kerr weekend “performance camp”. and HenryAtkins were allpartofthe before inSouthampton. session aer anoff-track event theday SpeedwayGB boys to have anon-track occasions butrelented for the restrictions. much ano, nobecauseoftheCovid-19 from theterraces butthisyear itwasvery and locked gates. sessions allhadto bebehindcloseddoor SADLY, theclub’s pre-season practice behind closeddoors Practice sessions Eastbourne Seagull’s Jake Knightis Lewi Kerr, Tom Brennan, Drew Kemp The weather intervened onacoupleof Normally fans are welcome to watch Hastings :01424 427676 Fineprint (Sussex) Limited, 17 Burgess Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 4NR AT COMPETITIVE PRICES QUALITY PRINTING ■ Mobile:07949 615710 ■ Email:les@fineprintsl.co.uk a price oradvice onyour Identity, through Design Concepts to thefinal 07949 615710 for NO JOBTOO BIG next printing job From Corporate printed article. or TOO SMALL or project

Mike Hinves Ian Charles

Vinnie Joe Foord James Jessup Mike Hinves Mike Whiting Kevin In the Wars! Even before the start of the season, two Origin of the historic Arlington pictures of our younger riders are injured. YOU MAY remember in Flying High 5 we including Charlie would get in some laps, Vinnie Joe Foord, who will turn 15 in a few published some historic pictures of if conditions permitted. weeks time, crashed while practising at Arlington provided by Simon Chapman I still have strong memories of Charlie Arlington and suffered an arm injury while who wondered when they were taken. riding his speedway bike in his gabardine James Jessop put himself in hospital while We heard from Brian Heasman who told raincoat, wellington boots with a steel playing football. Speedy recovery to you us: shoe (no helmet)! He was a very stylish both. I think the pictures were in the mid to and capable rider and passed on tips to latter half of the 50s or early 60s. up and coming riders, including his sons. The starting gate was on the other side I disappeared from the scene in 1957 of the track to where it is now and the when I went into the Army to do my Ahead of the view is looking towards the pits from just National Service. in front of the starting line. I think my first memories of speedway game with online It was aer much work had been done were in the late 1940s, since when the ticket sales at the track to accommodate stock cars. names of Wally Green, Jock Grierson and In those days, stock cars and speedway Basil Harris have stuck in my mind. EASTBOURNE were very much ahead of were on the same track. As a result, the I also remember watching Norman the game when it came to online ticket track became quite bumpy for speedway Street get a 12 point maximum and I sales. Club bosses saw early on this and although I am not sure, I think it may believe he was then banned from riding would be necessity, at least in the early have led to the track being deemed to be for Eastbourne in the league because he part of the year, and the tech wizards unfit for speedway racing. was too good a rider! came up with an easy-to-use buying In the mid 50s, when in my youth, I system. helped at the track, raking, watering and Have to say, the Premiership clubs on one of the red flags – no red lights seemed to hang on until the last minute then. before launching sales and then failed to I enjoyed the company of Charlie deliver a co-ordinated launch. Dugard, his sons John and Bob and Joe . who worked for Charlie. John rode in meetings and Bob, being younger rode his smaller bike. We used to go the track some Sundays during the winter, when various riders,

May 50/50 winners WINNERS in the May 50/50 draw were: 15 (£300) - C. Knight 89 (£300) - D. Graveling 62 (£75) - P. Ling

FLYING HIGH 31 SGP-branded background compliant with they don’t stop as they don’t see you. It is ➢ the colour palette and layout a special stop.” requirements of its corporate identity “I’ll hitch back.” manual. “No one will stop to pick you up. That is Though this manual is kept permanently A Speedway GP magical mystery tour certain. It is dangerous. There have been handy in the desk drawer of a slightly robberies.” sweaty-bottomed middle-manager tasked THOROUGHLY SCHOOLED to nowadays “By hitchhikers?”“By people Just actually getting to a Speedway Grand Prix is with brand supervision back at BSI Towers mostly expecting speedway grands prix pretending to need help by broken cars.” in suburban London, out in the Swedish in far flung but not exotic locations, from o en more memorable than the meeting itself, as “Not hitchers, though?” wilds on SGP manoeuvres its power Stockholm I set off on Swedish railways to author Jeff Scott discovers “They will not stop for you, even if you remains undimmed. Vasteras – apparently NOT a Game of have no broken car. What time does your Stuck to a lamppost and beneath an Thrones twin town – to wait an hour for Like a thirsty man in a desert, sight of event start in Hallstavik?” advice arrow point onwards, the only A4 the connecting bus I booked to Hallsta two women carrying stuff from their car “Seven.” laminated notice I find anywhere around vägskäl. into a larger sized but gated house “You will be able to get there today the bus station states “Parking and From the transport terminus, the bus makes me sprint up the narrow road from Vasteras but maybe not in this four Camping”. Though brevity and honesty quickly finds the edge of town, exhausts ahead in case they suddenly disappear and one half hours.” aren’t words you associate with BSI, the the string of low-slung industrial estates again. With all their doors open and Feeling a potent mix of chastened and SGP or its media boosters, this isn’t an to find endless mostly cultivated fields packages in hand, the two women are angry at my silly error, I say thanks and great difference and clarity. overly helpful sign for anyone walking. whose low crops bask bright green in the guarded and suspicious. head back to what – now I’m going to On his phone, Dennis looks up a range Given its size, it isn’t overly helpful for blistering sunshine. The suspicious sight of a stranger is hitch and feel the All-American lure of the of possible travel options from Vasteras to passing drivers either unless viewed as a The driver speaks no English and, tempered by the sound of spoken open road – I’ll call the freeway. There is a Hallstavik. The best option goes in 30 sight exam or reactions test. strangely, though I am on the correct 569 English. Their three fair-haired short pull-in-cum-halt to stand by that is minutes and is a four-change journey by There is no-one around to ask for bus, Hallstavik completely fails to appear daughters stop playing to briefly look really just the turn into the one narrow train, train, bus and bus that – if all directions. Though the track is nowhere in amongst the litany of obscure Swedish on curiously. road to Hallsta village. connections are made – sees me arrive at sight, through the trees there is the place names on its electronic route My statement, “I have come from As they warned about the discretionary Hallstavik bus station with 20 minutes to comforting sound of amplified music. planner. England for the speedway” only gets bus stop, its placement is such that you spare before the SGP starts. These distant was are occasionally My choice of potential English speakers further blank looks. “Where am I?” would have to know it is there or else be There is, in fact, a very good choice of broken up by announcements whose amongst the two other late lunchtime prompts a thaw in their reserve and an extremely observant but brave driver public transport travel modes and routes to specific wording is lost into the ether at passengers is a nervous old lady who frostiness. “You are in Hallsta, where to manage to both see me and then safely Hallstavik. The station staff recommend the this distance. Aer so much (self-inflicted) avoids eye contact and a bearded should you be?” stop in the distance available. I pray for a two bus cross-country version with a hassle to get here, the standard heavy-metal fan looking bloke with Saying “Hallstavik for the speedway” helpful driver with wonderful eyesight, change in Uppsala (the closest railway pre-meeting sounds and music of a pounding music seeping from aloud brings immediate broad smiles exceptional reactions and advanced station to my destination). speedway night ahead reassures and headphones who wouldn’t be out of and barely suppressed laughter, motoring skills. Though everything feels like a crime in soothes but also fires my anticipation. place setting up on the Monster Energy “Hallstavik!?!?” They proceed to roll the Sadly, there aren’t many cars going in price terms in Sweden, this is surprisingly Down a residential street and into a SGP fanzone stand. suddenly remarkably different sounding either direction and, on my side of the good value at around £15. wood, as you eventually crest of the final He is helpful and speaks fluent English – now they are spoken correctly road, the few that do are going at quite a Many hours later, I arrive at Hallstavik bus section of sloping path, the stadium so consults with the driver to identify and Down town Hallstavik accented and out loud – pronunciations lick. terminal via Uppsala. This is a grandiose suddenly appears ahead displayed in its agree my request stop. where I stand looks ridiculously so. On a of Hallstavik and Hallsta with delight Yet amazingly, hallelujah, within just way to describe its reality. It is a full glory. “You are lucky I was here to ask, dark winter’s night, it would make a good round their mouths. minutes a car going in the other direction purpose-built stopping point of concrete, At first sight, possibly because it is seen otherwise as he did not understand you setting for the opening scene of a horror I may have accidentally stumbled slows, crosses the freeway and bus stops and basic shelters close to a from a tree-surrounded clearing, the or know you wanted that special Hallsta movie. upon a new Buddhist mantra for them. manoeuvres into the turning lane for crossroads that looks over-sized for its impression is more of a holiday camp in stop.” Even in bright sunshine, there is a sense Though, I suspect, its incantation would Hallsta to pull to a halt to pick me up! purpose and traffic volumes. the midst of minor celebration than the My good Samaritan knows and once of desolation. Apart from the narrow road amuse too much to allow them to the Astonishingly, I have only waited five The SGP is around a 15-minute walk o-proclaimed “world” championship. I relished going to speedway but is to the village, the surrounding fields are appropriate levels of mental emptiness minutes. The kindness of strangers! How away according to the other bus am here for the first ever SGP to be staged shocked verging on amazed to discover also cut through by a curved section of required to begin to find Nirvana. wonderful. passenger. in Hallstavik and a sign over the main that he hadn’t even heard that a major dual carriageway that needs substantial Aer quick consultation of a map of My good Samaritans and generous Typical of the all-expenses-spared entrance to the stadium proclaims this international individual speedway crash barriers to manage high speed of Sweden, they flourish a mobile phone guardian angels are Dennis and Emma. parsimonious approach BSI take with its location as the “HZ BYGG ARENA” with meeting is going to be staged in his neck passing vehicles that zoom past on this screen, “Look, you are here in Hallsta They are on their way to the apparently sub-contracted outlier events, the first fan the added swagger of a suitably large of the woods this evening. nowhere section of road. and [scrolls bigly in completely famous vintage American car rally event experience ‘touch-point’ (as then CEO typeface. Predictably, as with many size Before we can debate it further, my bus It is gloriously sunny and, apart from opposite direction from Stockholm] held annually in Vasteras but specifically Steve Gould grandiosely called them) and claims, the club is at best compact rather suddenly slows to a halt by a request stop the occasional air displacement whoosh there is Hallstavik! Quite some way turned round to get me having glimpsed only real concession to razzmatazz is a than bygg. The word “HALLSTAVIK” in the middle of nowhere with green but of a passing car, notably quiet. Nothing away! Many, many kilometres away.” me as they originally shot past. They single laminated A4 sign with a appears underneath the location warning featureless fields on either side. stirs except my feeling of dread. There is Though no longer unexpected, the confirm my incredible good fortune. so we are le in no doubt about exactly And, hurrah, there is also a wood – no sign at all of the legendary Hallstavik news is quite a blow to my Sherpa “We saw you but couldn’t stop but he where we all are right now. whose regular rows of trees and general paper mill on any horizon. It looks like a credentials but also my chance of said ‘turn round’.” This is handy as, even for regular geometric shape indicates it was newly no-horse village. Actually, to be fair, it is getting to the speedway GP I came for “But why did you stop? I was told Rospiggarna league meetings, according planted two decades back – and it's the so rural, they probably do have horses. having le England to do so the people wouldn’t.” to Greg Hancock’s prolix “Reel 45” middle of nowhere so it must be a BSI era Though fancying myself as something morning before yesterday. “You were in the middle of nowhere. podcasts, “most people come from other SGP series meeting venue. of a travel expert with Mr Google at hand, “You are 145 or so kilometres [90 Who would be here who didn’t need places” and only 11 percent of attendees The driver unnecessarily points to the it is clear I have most likely badly boobed miles] away from Hallstavik! How did help?” actually come from Hallstavik. only adjacent narrow road and a sign on in my travel arrangements and totally you get here?” “I feel like crying with happiness and the village limits that says Hallsta. vagskalled myself! “By train from Stockholm then bus stupidity.” Jeff Scott’s acclaimed books on the SGP – It is a place that immediately prompts A short walk takes me to the nearest from Vasteras. When is the next bus “We feel like laughing at your Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Speedway closer inspection of my travel ticket pdf property – more John ‘Boy’ Walton back?” stupidity!” Grand Prix (2019) and Who Gates Wins where it is rather grandly described as homestead in the Swedish countryside “[consults phone] Three hours.” They too roll the pronunciations of (2020) – are available at Hallsta vägskäl. Though, I anticipated vernacular than family house – to ask for “Three hours!” Hallsta and Hallstavik around their www.methanolpress.com, all good Hallstavik to be small, rural and remote, directions but find no one home. “If it sees you, it will stop. Sometimes mouths and, again it has to be said, with bookshops and Amazon.

32 FLYING HIGH SGP-branded background compliant with they don’t stop as they don’t see you. It is the colour palette and layout a special stop.” requirements of its corporate identity “I’ll hitch back.” manual. “No one will stop to pick you up. That is Though this manual is kept permanently certain. It is dangerous. There have been handy in the desk drawer of a slightly robberies.” sweaty-bottomed middle-manager tasked THOROUGHLY SCHOOLED to nowadays “By hitchhikers?”“By people with brand supervision back at BSI Towers mostly expecting speedway grands prix pretending to need help by broken cars.” in suburban London, out in the Swedish in far flung but not exotic locations, from “Not hitchers, though?” wilds on SGP manoeuvres its power Stockholm I set off on Swedish railways to “They will not stop for you, even if you remains undimmed. Vasteras – apparently NOT a Game of have no broken car. What time does your Stuck to a lamppost and beneath an Thrones twin town – to wait an hour for Like a thirsty man in a desert, sight of event start in Hallstavik?” advice arrow point onwards, the only A4 the connecting bus I booked to Hallsta two women carrying stuff from their car “Seven.” laminated notice I find anywhere around vägskäl. into a larger sized but gated house “You will be able to get there today the bus station states “Parking and From the transport terminus, the bus makes me sprint up the narrow road from Vasteras but maybe not in this four Camping”. Though brevity and honesty quickly finds the edge of town, exhausts ahead in case they suddenly disappear and one half hours.” aren’t words you associate with BSI, the the string of low-slung industrial estates again. With all their doors open and Feeling a potent mix of chastened and Teddy Bear Picnic site SGP or its media boosters, this isn’t an to find endless mostly cultivated fields packages in hand, the two women are angry at my silly error, I say thanks and great difference and clarity. overly helpful sign for anyone walking. whose low crops bask bright green in the guarded and suspicious. head back to what – now I’m going to On his phone, Dennis looks up a range Given its size, it isn’t overly helpful for blistering sunshine. The suspicious sight of a stranger is hitch and feel the All-American lure of the of possible travel options from Vasteras to passing drivers either unless viewed as a The driver speaks no English and, tempered by the sound of spoken open road – I’ll call the freeway. There is a Hallstavik. The best option goes in 30 sight exam or reactions test. strangely, though I am on the correct 569 English. Their three fair-haired short pull-in-cum-halt to stand by that is minutes and is a four-change journey by There is no-one around to ask for bus, Hallstavik completely fails to appear daughters stop playing to briefly look really just the turn into the one narrow train, train, bus and bus that – if all directions. Though the track is nowhere in amongst the litany of obscure Swedish on curiously. road to Hallsta village. connections are made – sees me arrive at sight, through the trees there is the place names on its electronic route My statement, “I have come from As they warned about the discretionary Hallstavik bus station with 20 minutes to comforting sound of amplified music. planner. England for the speedway” only gets bus stop, its placement is such that you spare before the SGP starts. These distant was are occasionally My choice of potential English speakers further blank looks. “Where am I?” would have to know it is there or else be There is, in fact, a very good choice of broken up by announcements whose amongst the two other late lunchtime prompts a thaw in their reserve and an extremely observant but brave driver public transport travel modes and routes to specific wording is lost into the ether at passengers is a nervous old lady who frostiness. “You are in Hallsta, where to manage to both see me and then safely Hallstavik. The station staff recommend the this distance. Aer so much (self-inflicted) avoids eye contact and a bearded should you be?” stop in the distance available. I pray for a two bus cross-country version with a hassle to get here, the standard heavy-metal fan looking bloke with Saying “Hallstavik for the speedway” helpful driver with wonderful eyesight, change in Uppsala (the closest railway pre-meeting sounds and music of a pounding music seeping from aloud brings immediate broad smiles exceptional reactions and advanced station to my destination). speedway night ahead reassures and headphones who wouldn’t be out of and barely suppressed laughter, motoring skills. Though everything feels like a crime in soothes but also fires my anticipation. place setting up on the Monster Energy “Hallstavik!?!?” They proceed to roll the Sadly, there aren’t many cars going in price terms in Sweden, this is surprisingly Down a residential street and into a SGP fanzone stand. suddenly remarkably different sounding either direction and, on my side of the good value at around £15. wood, as you eventually crest of the final He is helpful and speaks fluent English – now they are spoken correctly road, the few that do are going at quite a Many hours later, I arrive at Hallstavik bus section of sloping path, the stadium so consults with the driver to identify and accented and out loud – pronunciations lick. terminal via Uppsala. This is a grandiose suddenly appears ahead displayed in its agree my request stop. where I stand looks ridiculously so. On a of Hallstavik and Hallsta with delight Yet amazingly, hallelujah, within just way to describe its reality. It is a full glory. “You are lucky I was here to ask, dark winter’s night, it would make a good round their mouths. minutes a car going in the other direction purpose-built stopping point of concrete, At first sight, possibly because it is seen otherwise as he did not understand you setting for the opening scene of a horror I may have accidentally stumbled slows, crosses the freeway and bus stops and basic shelters close to a from a tree-surrounded clearing, the or know you wanted that special Hallsta movie. upon a new Buddhist mantra for them. manoeuvres into the turning lane for crossroads that looks over-sized for its impression is more of a holiday camp in stop.” Even in bright sunshine, there is a sense Though, I suspect, its incantation would Hallsta to pull to a halt to pick me up! purpose and traffic volumes. the midst of minor celebration than the My good Samaritan knows and once of desolation. Apart from the narrow road amuse too much to allow them to the Astonishingly, I have only waited five The SGP is around a 15-minute walk o-proclaimed “world” championship. I relished going to speedway but is to the village, the surrounding fields are appropriate levels of mental emptiness minutes. The kindness of strangers! How away according to the other bus am here for the first ever SGP to be staged shocked verging on amazed to discover also cut through by a curved section of required to begin to find Nirvana. wonderful. passenger. in Hallstavik and a sign over the main that he hadn’t even heard that a major dual carriageway that needs substantial Aer quick consultation of a map of My good Samaritans and generous Typical of the all-expenses-spared entrance to the stadium proclaims this international individual speedway crash barriers to manage high speed of Sweden, they flourish a mobile phone guardian angels are Dennis and Emma. parsimonious approach BSI take with its location as the “HZ BYGG ARENA” with meeting is going to be staged in his neck passing vehicles that zoom past on this screen, “Look, you are here in Hallsta They are on their way to the apparently sub-contracted outlier events, the first fan the added swagger of a suitably large of the woods this evening. nowhere section of road. and [scrolls bigly in completely famous vintage American car rally event experience ‘touch-point’ (as then CEO typeface. Predictably, as with many size Before we can debate it further, my bus It is gloriously sunny and, apart from opposite direction from Stockholm] held annually in Vasteras but specifically Steve Gould grandiosely called them) and claims, the club is at best compact rather suddenly slows to a halt by a request stop the occasional air displacement whoosh there is Hallstavik! Quite some way turned round to get me having glimpsed only real concession to razzmatazz is a than bygg. The word “HALLSTAVIK” in the middle of nowhere with green but of a passing car, notably quiet. Nothing away! Many, many kilometres away.” me as they originally shot past. They single laminated A4 sign with a appears underneath the location warning featureless fields on either side. stirs except my feeling of dread. There is Though no longer unexpected, the confirm my incredible good fortune. so we are le in no doubt about exactly And, hurrah, there is also a wood – no sign at all of the legendary Hallstavik news is quite a blow to my Sherpa “We saw you but couldn’t stop but he where we all are right now. whose regular rows of trees and general paper mill on any horizon. It looks like a credentials but also my chance of said ‘turn round’.” My good Samaritan This is handy as, even for regular geometric shape indicates it was newly no-horse village. Actually, to be fair, it is getting to the speedway GP I came for “But why did you stop? I was told Rospiggarna league meetings, according planted two decades back – and it's the so rural, they probably do have horses. having le England to do so the people wouldn’t.” knows and once relished going to Greg Hancock’s prolix “Reel 45” middle of nowhere so it must be a BSI era Though fancying myself as something morning before yesterday. “You were in the middle of nowhere. to speedway but is shocked podcasts, “most people come from other SGP series meeting venue. of a travel expert with Mr Google at hand, “You are 145 or so kilometres [90 Who would be here who didn’t need places” and only 11 percent of attendees The driver unnecessarily points to the it is clear I have most likely badly boobed miles] away from Hallstavik! How did help?” verging on amazed to discover actually come from Hallstavik. only adjacent narrow road and a sign on in my travel arrangements and totally you get here?” “I feel like crying with happiness and that he hadn’t even heard that a the village limits that says Hallsta. vagskalled myself! “By train from Stockholm then bus stupidity.” Jeff Scott’s acclaimed books on the SGP – It is a place that immediately prompts A short walk takes me to the nearest from Vasteras. When is the next bus “We feel like laughing at your major international individual Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Speedway closer inspection of my travel ticket pdf property – more John ‘Boy’ Walton back?” stupidity!” speedway meeting is going to be Grand Prix (2019) and Who Gates Wins where it is rather grandly described as homestead in the Swedish countryside “[consults phone] Three hours.” They too roll the pronunciations of (2020) – are available at Hallsta vägskäl. Though, I anticipated vernacular than family house – to ask for “Three hours!” Hallsta and Hallstavik around their staged in his neck of the woods www.methanolpress.com, all good Hallstavik to be small, rural and remote, directions but find no one home. “If it sees you, it will stop. Sometimes mouths and, again it has to be said, with this evening. bookshops and Amazon.

FLYING HIGH 33 Eastbourne Speedway Fixtures 2021 Home meetings are in BOLD CAPITALS, away meetings in Italics. Provisional NDL / MSDL Meetings (subject to conrmation) are in BOLD ITALICS. If viewing on a mobile, tilt your device for the best experience. All xtures subject to change. Check before travelling on the club website.

Date Meeting Info Time Event MAY AUGUST Weds 19th Leicester NDL SAT 7th BIRMINGHAM 7.30 pm CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 22nd NEWCASTLE DOUBLE HEADER 5.00pm CHAMPIONSHIP / NDL SEAGULLS v BIRMINGHAM - B Fixture MSDL Tues 25th Kent KO Cup Mon 9th Wolverhampton Seagulls B Fixture MSDL Sat 29th POOLE 7.30pm CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 14th Leicester Championship Mon 31st Kent NDL SUN 15th BERWICK DOUBLE HEADER 3.00PM CHAMPIONSHIP/NDL SAT 21st REDCAR /Mildenhall DOUBLE HEADER 7.00PM CHAMPIONSHIP/NDL JUNE Fri 27th Edinburgh Championship Fri 4th Scunthorpe Championship Sat 28th Edinburgh (a ernoon meeting) NDL SUN 6th KENT 5.00pm KO CUP Sat 28th Berwick Double Header Championship/NDL SAT 12th EDINBURGH 7.30pm CHAMPIONSHIP Sun 29th Newcastle Championship SAT 19th KENT 5.00pm KO CUP

SEAGULLS v BIRMINGHAM - A Fixture MSDL SEPTEMBER Sun 20th Mildenhall NDL Weds 1st Birmingham Championship Mon 21st Wolverhampton v Seagulls - A Fixture MSDL Birmingham v Seagulls - B Fixture MSDL Fri 25th Glasgow Championship Sun 5th Eastbourne Reserved SAT 26th No Meeting STOCK CARS Tues 7th Plymouth Championship Fri 10th Belle Vue Colts NDL JULY Sat 11th Eastbourne Reserved 7.30pm KO Cup Fri 2nd Redcar Championship SUN 12th KENT 3.30pm CHAMPIONSHIP SUN 4th GLASGOW 5.00pm CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 18th Eastbourne Reserved 7.30pm Play Offs SEAGULLS v WOLVES - A Fixture MSDL SUN 19th British Youth Championship Midday British Youth Sun 4th Newcastle NDL Sat 25th Eastbourne Reserved 7.30pm Play Offs Wed 7th Poole Championship SUN 26th 90TH ANNIVERSARY 3.30pm SUN 11th TEAM GB U21 INTERNATIONAL

Tues 13th Kent Championship OCTOBER Fri 16th Championship Pairs Venue TBC Championship SAT 2nd Eastbourne Reserved 7.30pm Play Offs SAT 17th BELLE VUE COLTS 7.30pm NDL SAT 9th Eastbourne Reserved 7.30pm Play Offs SAT 24th SCUNTHORPE 7.30pm CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 23rd NO MEETING STOCK CARS Wed 28th Birmingham v Seagulls A Fixture MSDL Sat 30th NO MEETING STOCK CARS SAT 31st PLYMOUTH/Armadale DOUBLE HEADER 7.30pm CHAMPIONSHIP ➢ TBB Leicester (Home) CL + NDL

34 FLYING HIGH

r 6h hminhpPis eu B Championship CHAMPIONSHIP 7.30pm DOUBLEHEADER PLYMOUTH/Armadale SAT Birmingham vSeagulls AFixture 31st Venue TBC Wed SCUNTHORPE 28th BELLEVUECOLTS SAT 24th Championship Pairs SAT 17th Kent Fri 16th TEAMGBU21 Tues 13th Poole SUN 11th Newcastle Wed 7th Sun 4th GLASGOW MSDL Redcar SUN 4th Fri 2nd JULY Glasgow SAT 26th Wolverhampton vSeagulls-AFixture Fri 25th Mildenhall Mon 21st Sun 20th KENT EDINBURGH SAT 19th KENT Scunthorpe SAT 12th SUN 6th Fri 4th CHAMPIONSHIP/NDL 5.00pm JUNE DOUBLEHEADER Kent POOLE Mon 31st Kent Sat 29th Tues 25th NEWCASTLE Sat 22nd Leicester Weds 19th MAY ae Meeting Date EGLSvWLE itr MSDL SEAGULLS vWOLVES -AFixture MSDL SEAGULLS vBIRMINGHAM-AFixture No Meeting STOCK CARS Info MSDL CHAMPIONSHIP Championship 7.30pm NDL INTERNATIONAL7.30pm Championship NDL Championship CHAMPIONSHIP 5.00pm Championship NDL KO CUP Championship 5.00pm CHAMPIONSHIP 7.30pm KO CUP 5.00pm NDL KO Cup CHAMPIONSHIP NDL 7.30pm ie Event Time with ajobfor fiyyears! don't wantto belumbered speedway match ifyou Right: Don'tgoto anice Bandits keep onwinning! It's abittidiernow, butthe Above: Shielfiedin1972. a 3d OMEIG TC AS STOCK CARS STOCK CARS TBB Leicester (Home) CL+NDL NOMEETING NOMEETING Sat 30th Eastbourne Sat 23rd Eastbourne SAT 9th SAT 2nd U 9h rts ot Caposi Mda BritishYouth Midday Championship 90THANNIVERSARY Eastbourne SUN 26th Sat 25th BritishYouth Eastbourne SUN 19th Sat 18th KENT Eastbourne SUN 12th BelleVue Colts Sat 11th Plymouth Fri 10th Eastbourne Tues 7th Sun 5th es1t Birmingham Weds 1st u 9h Newcastle Berwick Sun 29th Edinburgh Sat 28th CHAMPIONSHIP/NDL Edinburgh 7.00PM Sat 28th DOUBLEHEADER REDCAR/Mildenhall Fri 27th SAT BERWICK 21st SUN 15th OCTOBER SEPTEMBER MSDL BFixture Seagulls Leicester Wolverhampton Sat 14th Mon 9th BIRMINGHAM SAT 7th Meeting AUGUST Date Birmingham vSeagulls-BFixture EGLSvBRIGA itr MSDL SEAGULLS vBIRMINGHAM-BFixture

eevd .0m Play Offs 7.30pm Play Offs 7.30pm Reserved Reserved

eevd .0m Play Offs 7.30pm PlayOffs 7.30pm Reserved KO Cup 7.30pm Reserved Reserved Reserved

obeHae Championship/NDL NDL Double Header (a ernoon meeting) CHAMPIONSHIP/NDL 3.00PM DOUBLE HEADER Info

.0m CHAMPIONSHIP Championship 3.30pm MSDL .0m 3.30pm NDL Championship

Championship Championship Championship Event Time .0p CHAMPIONSHIP 7.30 pm FLYING HIGH 35

Mike Hinves Kyle Newman 36 FLYING HIGH