9:20am Saturday 4th July 2009
By Brian Owen
Eastbourne Eagles have been given fresh hope in their search for a new promoter.
But they were last night no closer to signing a rider to replace injured David Norris.
Eagles will run with rider-replacement for Norris, plus guests for Davey Watt and Lukas Dryml, at home to Peterborough this evening (7.30pm).
Promoter Bob Dugard plans to step down at Arlington at the end of the season but has pledged his backing to a replacement who, ideally, would keep the club in the top-flight Elite League.
He revealed: “There has been some movement. We have had two lots of people come forward who want to run the club in the lower division.
“There are two things with that.
“Firstly it’s not automatic we would be accepted in the Premier League because they are not looking for any more clubs.
“Secondly, it’s not my wish for the club to go that way.
“But these people who have come forward would be acceptable to the authorities so it’s not all bad news.
“I think people are very concerned about losing Eastbourne speedway and are looking for solutions.”
There could be a further twist in that plans are afoot to change the three-tier league system currently in place.
Dugard would welcome any move which allowed tracks to reduce the number of meetings they must stage but insists it would not sway him from his decision to retire.
He said: “I still would not have the time to run the club but I would be glad to see new promoters getting any help they can to run this club in the Elite League at a profit.”
Grzegorz Walasek remains favourite to join Eagles for the rest of the season in place of Norris though the club are keen for the Polish GP rider to give them a quick decision.
Dugard has made contact with Piotr Swiderski, axed in the past few days by Ipswich, but has so far been unable to agree terms.
Slovak prospect Martin Vaculik is another who could replace Norris but several other riders have been ruled out of the running.
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