Bob Dugard wants Eastbourne Eagles to know exactly what they are racing for when they aim to salvage their season tomorrow.

The Arlington supremo and his co-promoter Martin Hagon will have their say ahead of tapes-up as Eagles aim to knock arch rivals Lakeside out of the Knockout Cup semi-finals.

Eagles trail by 11 points going into their home leg but Lakeside are missing four riders while the hosts must cover only for Scott Nicholls.

Dugard, who has been as disappointed as anybody by two recent home defeats in the league, has revealed his team’s failure to challenge for the title could have cost the club £30,000.

But he says he has been through the card heat by heat and reckons Eagles can claim a final place against Poole or Coventry. Now he wants to make sure his six riders share that belief.

Eagles will operate rider-replacement for Nicholls while Lakeside do likewise for Andreas Jonsson, with both riders in Grand Prix action.

The visitors have brought in a fair amount of Arlington expertise with their guests for three injured riders but Dugard and Hagon will do their bit alongside team manager Trevor Geer ahead of a fixture which could keep the Sussex track’s season alive.

Dugard said: “I’m going into the meeting with a degree of confidence we can pull it back. We need to make sure the boys realise the importance of this meeting and I think we have been a bit lax on that of late.

“There has been a lack of motivation there. We need to reiterate that and make sure we get a good, proper performance.

“It has got to be pointed out that it’s the last throw of the dice this year.

“I had a talk with Edward Kennett at stock cars on Wednesday and a lot of good came out it.

“We were talking positively about next year and what have you and he knows he can perform at a better level.

Opportunity “If the crowd get behind us, I think we have a good chance of going through. We couldn’t have a better opportunity.

“I’ve been through it and I can see us winning (on aggregate) by four points.

“That means everyone doing his job, right down to James Brundle getting a couple of points.”

Eagles’ line-up includes Lewis Bridger after the club had a re-think on plans to send him on loan to Premier League strugglers Mildenhall.

Though the decision was made by the club and in consultation with Bridger himself, it is emerging that Dugard was the influential voice who ensured the rider stayed at Arlington.

Bridger had no desire to go out on loan but Hagon was keen for him to drop down for the rest of the campaign.

Dugard said: “The boy is far too good for that. Martin and I had words over that and I felt it would be a retrograde step.

“I think Lewis confirmed that to a degree with his performance last Saturday.

“He is an 18-year-old boy who needs to sort himself out but I’ve had a lot worse problems at this club than I have with Lewis.

“He and Eddie are probably the best two young riders from the UK. I know you have got Tai Woffinden but he is a different animal in that he lived for much of his life in Australia.

“Lewis and Eddie are fantastic talents.”

Dugard does not expect the Elite League points limit to change too much next season, meaning clubs will again be resisting the temptation to spend lavishly on GP stars not currently riding in this country.

The rumour mill is already awash with speculation as to who is going where next year and inevitably Eagles riders will be linked with other tracks.

Dugard said: “There is concern everywhere about finances. I don’t think anybody will looking to up the ante.

“Financially Eastbourne are one of the better clubs but even we have suffered substantial losses. We are hoping to keep them down to about £30,000 which is insignificant compared to what Bob Brimson lost here last year.”