A fresh bid has been launched to bring speedway racing back to Arlington Stadium, with Michael Gray involved in the formation of a new consortium aiming to secure a sustainable future for the sport at the famous Eastbourne venue.
The group has been working behind the scenes on a comprehensive business plan and is hoping stadium operator Spedeworth will consider allowing speedway to return to Arlington.
As part of the plans, there would also be a strong emphasis on developing young riders, with the consortium’s long-term ambition being to establish a sustainable operation capable of eventually bringing top-level speedway back to the stadium.
The latest attempt comes more than five years after the Eastbourne Eagles’ last completed senior home meeting at Arlington. The Eagles defeated Plymouth Gladiators 54-36 on July 31, 2021, before their scheduled home meetings against Birmingham and Redcar were postponed.
Eastbourne subsequently withdrew from both the Championship and National Development League in August 2021 after being unable to overcome financial difficulties. British Speedway confirmed the withdrawal on August 26, 2021, and at the time expressed hope that the Eagles could eventually return under new management.
There have been previous attempts to revive the club since then. Plans were being formulated as far back as late 2021 for a potential return, but the Eagles have remained absent from British league racing.
Now Gray and the new consortium are trying to open another chapter, but their first task is to demonstrate that the appetite for speedway at Arlington remains.
A petition calling for the return of the sport was launched on September 7 and is being used to show the level of public support for the proposal.
The full statement reads:
Over the past few weeks, we have been forming a consortium with the aim of bringing speedway back to Arlington.
Until recently, the prospect of speedway returning to the stadium appeared very unlikely. However, we hope Spedeworth will take a fresh look at the sport and consider the possibility of welcoming speedway back.
Behind the scenes, we have been developing a comprehensive business plan. Our consortium brings together experienced business professionals and individuals from across the speedway community, all of whom share a passion for securing a sustainable future for the sport at Arlington.
By working together, we firmly believe speedway could return, supported by a strong development programme that creates opportunities for young people within the sport—an ambition the academy fully supports. Our long-term vision is to establish a sustainable future for speedway at Arlington, with the potential to host top-level racing once again.
Before we can move forward, however, we need to demonstrate that there is genuine public support for the return of speedway. If you would like to see speedway back at Arlington, please sign this petition. Every signature will provide valuable support and help demonstrate the strength of feeling within the community.
The petition has already begun attracting support as the consortium looks to build a case for discussions over the future of speedway at Arlington.
For Eastbourne supporters, it represents the latest hope of seeing the Eagles and the sound of speedway bikes return to a venue synonymous with the club for generations.
Sign the petition to bring speedway back to Arlington >>HERE<<
