Ian Jordan, Director of Eastbourne Speedway
Credit: Mike Hinves
MEET IAN
Ian Jordan is a Director of Eastbourne Speedway Ltd, the company which promotes speedway racing at Arlington Stadium, on the outskirts of Hailsham. As a younger man he rode speedway bikes as a "junior" but never broke into professional racing.
We spoke to him about the high-octane sport, the steps to take to start Speedwaying and what makes the Eastbourne Eagles so great.
SOCIAL
https://www.eastbourne-speedway.com/
Eastbourne Speedway are also on:
Twitter: @eastbournespeed
Instagram: @eastbourneagles
Facebook: @EastbourneEaglesSpeedway
All Photos - Credit: Mike Hinves
First bend at Arlington Stadium
Tight first-bend action at Arlington Stadium (from left) Kyle Newman, Tom Brennan, Alfie Bowtell and Paco Castagna.
How does someone get into Speedway?
A few tracks offer “taster” days where you can hire a bike and all the gear and have a go. Speedway bikes slide through the corner and riders turn the power on as they go into the bend. It is counter-intuitive and a difficult skill to master. There are ‘speedway schools’ at a number of tracks on a weekly basis where some tuition may be available. Some riders graduate to the sport from motocross or grass track speedway.
It's never to early or too late start and to learn. Youngsters can start on small 80cc machines and there are also specialist days for experienced motor-cyclists up to ages in their 60s and 70s to hire a bike on a "track day".
What sort of gear do you need to compete?
You will need a speedway bike. Youngsters start at 80cc and move up the range to 250cc and finally to 500cc which professional riders use. Speedway bikes are specialist machines and unlike any road bike you will have seen. You will also need a crash helmet, and a race suit made out of kevlar to protect you if you should fall, boots and a steel shoe which fits on your left foot and slides lightly on the ground as you corner.
A professional speedway bike is 500cc, no brakes and no gears and they run on methanol. A speedway bike ridden by a professional rider can reach a speed of over 60mph more quickly than an F1 racing car.
What steps do you have to take to avoid injury?
It is extremely hard for a rider to avoid injury. Most riders will suffer broken bones at some stage during their career. At professional level they ride 500cc bikes with no brakes on tight stadium circuits. Eastbourne Speedway’s track at Arlington Stadium is 275m. The riders are highly skilled but it is inevitable they will crash on occasions when racing with three other riders over four laps. It means every second of race needs maximum effort and speed.
There is a high degree of trust and comradeship amongst riders. They will ride hard but fair and very rarely is an accident anything other than accidental and due to the competitive nature of the sport. Riders can be disqualified for what is deemed by a match referee to be unsafe or dangerous riding.
All licensed tracks have to have proper "safety fencing" this comprises wood or wire fencing on the straights and air-bag or foam fences on the bend, they are expertly made to reduce impact. All tracks are inspected annually in a rigorous process to make sure that they are as safe as they can be
It is a prerequisite that medical cover is always available and at professional level this will include a qualified paramedic, ambulance and fully fitted first aid facility.
What tips do you have for someone looking to get into Speedway racing?
Start young if your aim is to make a career out of the sport. Youngsters are racing in junior classes from eight or nine years old. Many make their debut at division three level when they are 15. You also need dedication, perseverance, a willingness to listen and learn and to be reasonably brave – but not foolhardy. If you’re older, and wish to race for fun, a number of tracks stage amateur meetings for all abilities.
Edward Kennett
Perfect style from Hailsham-based Edward Kennett, captain of the Eastbourne HG Aerospace Eagles.
What's the Eastbourne Eagles Community like?
Eastbourne Speedway has a great community feel with people of all ages and all walks of life watching the racing. The HG Aerospace Eagles has a community programme which introduced, or reintroduced, hundreds of people to speedway in the 2019 season. For 2021 the club will give a free season ticket to every child aged 15 and under who lives within the club’s immediate catchment area.
We are at the forefront of "community thinking" within the Sport in the UK. If you are an individual, part of a school, scouts, sports club or run a tourist attraction or business, however large or small, our Community Team will be happy to supply publicity material and to give you some of the 60,000 FREE Under 15 passes we want to hand out locally for 2020 and 2021 so please contact us at community@eastbourne-speedway.com.
What's the best thing about Speedway?
Two things stand out. The raw nature of racing motorbikes in an enclosed stadium where races are won and lost by how riders react in a split second. Secondly, the friendly nature of the riders and supporters who mingle before and after meetings. There’s no segregation of fans – it is perfectly normal to stand next to supporters from the opposing team and get on perfectly fine.
What's the worst thing about Speedway?
Rain. Speedway is an outdoor sport on a loose dirt track, known as shale. As a result, when it rains meetings have to be called off because the surface is too dangerous to race on.
What are some of the biggest achievements to have come out of the club?
Eastbourne Speedway was founded in 1929 and has had great success in the leagues and cup competitions over the years. Here is the roll of honour:
2018: National League Champions (Div 3)
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015: National League KO Cup Winners (Div 3)
2015: National Trophy Champions (Div 3)
2015: National League Gold Cup (Div 3)
2008: Elite League KO Cup Winners (Div 1)
2002: Elite League KO Cup Winners (Div 1)
2000: Elite League Millennium Champions (Div 1)
1997: Elite League KO Cup Winners (Div 1)
1995: Premier League Champions (Div 1)
1994: British League KO Cup Winners (Div 1)
1977, 1986, 1987: National League Champions (Div 2)
1975, 1977, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1987: National League KO Cup Winners (Div 2)
1947: National League Champions (Div 3)