Brighton Bonanza king Paul Hurry is joining Sussex speedway squad Eastbourne Eagles.

The reigning Brighton Centre champion will roar into action for Eagles when they open their new Elite League campaign at Arlington Stadium next month. Hurry's arrival from rivals Oxford, together with skipper Martin Dugard agreeing a new deal with the club, means that Eagles will challenge for honours with five England internationals.

Hurry and Dugard will join Eastbourne's big winter signing, Grand Prix ace Joe Screen, as the team's heat leaders, with Dean Barker and David Norris providing the back-up Another new signing, Finnish international Petri Kokko, will line up at reserve, alongside Brent Collyer, who will be returning from Australia as Queensland State champion.

Said promoter Jon Cook: "This has been the most exciting time I have experienced at Eastbourne. The new signings underline our commitment to take the club back to the top." Eastbourne have been chasing Hurry for some time, and the move to bring him to Sussex will be popular with the fans.

He has emerged as the No. 1 thrill-maker in the indoor event at the Brighton Centre, winning the title twice in three years, finishing runner-up once, and has also turned in a number of spectacular displays at Arlington. As part of the deal which brings Hurry to Eastbourne, Russian rider Roman Povazhny will be going in the opposite direction.

The 2000 season kicks off at Arlington with the South Coast derby against Poole Pirates on March 25, while Sky's live TV coverage begins at the Sussex track in May.

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