EASTBOURNE want to sidetrack the sport's top stars.

Eagles' boss Jon Cook is pressing for Elite League chiefs to limit Grand Prix riders to one per team for the next two years and then axe them altogether in 2004.

Explained Cook: "This is not an anti-GP stance, but we can't go on as we are. We have to change the way things are run in this country."

And he warned: "This is all about the future of Eastbourne and British speedway.

"It will be impossible for the club and the stadium to survive long term with the sport in its current state."

Cook is concerned about the growing impact of international call-ups on the domestic league programme.

And while he is the leading activist in what he sees as moves to protect speedway in Britain, he believes he has the backing of other Elite League tracks.

The absence of the league's top rider, Jason Crump, from the King's Lynn team at Arlington last Saturday was the final straw for Cook. Instead of parading his skills in front of the Eastbourne fans, Crump was riding for Australia in Poland.

Said Cook: "It was a kick in the teeth for British speedway. The time has come for us to stand up and say enough is enough."

Eastbourne were able to run only ten Saturday night meetings in 21 weeks between April and August, and only four during the main holiday period in July and August.

"We are told more Grand Prix meetings are on the way, and that will mean even more disruption in the future."

Cook is also concerned about the financial demands of the top riders.

"The Grand Prix riders spend a lot of time together, and there is a new culture growing up amongst the riders.

"There is virtually a going rate now for a Grand Prix rider which bears no relationship to the money coming into the sport. Elite League clubs with average four-figure crowds can realistically afford one Grand Prix rider."

While Joe Screen is Eastbourne's only Grand Prix rider, other teams, like tonight's visitors to Arlington, Oxford Cheetahs, have as many as three.

Cook is delaying contract talks for next year with his riders until after the next promoters' meeting on October 16, when his proposal to restrict Grand Prix riders will be discussed.

Currently rumours abound that several clubs, including big-timers Coventry, may quit the Elite League at the end of the season, and that would spark a major rethink.

One possibility is an ex-panded Premier League, but Cook insists: "Whatever happens, we want to be competing in the top league."

Nothing is likely to be de-cided at next month's meeting, but decisions will have to be made by the time the promoters hold their annual conference in Edinburgh between November 22 and 25.

Eastbourne fans will get their chance to make their views known this weekend.

Said Cook: "It is important we know what the fans want.

"Our supporters have been fantastic this year. Despite all the interruptions, our crowds have still been good."

The club were planning to include a questionnaire in to-night's programme.

The fans will be asked: Which is more important to you? Watching weekly speedway or seeing the Grand Prix stars?

And if the club run meetings next season on Grand Prix weekends, which would you prefer?

Racing on Saturday afternoons, Friday evenings, or Saturday nights against live TV coverage of the Grand Prix meetings?

Added Cook: "We have to find a long-term strategy for the sport.

"Speedway has had its head in the clouds for too long. We've got to sort it out before the TV money runs out."