Hailsham: Arlington Stadium cancels races after 60 years

Arlington Stadium in Hailsham has officially ended all motor racing events with immediate effect, concluding over 60 years of historic oval-track racing at the venue.

The Reason Behind the Cancellation

Eric Dugard, the joint owner of Arlington Stadium, stated that the decision stems from ongoing serious infrastructure and health and safety problems affecting both competitors and the public. 

• Critical Fence Issues: The core issue is the necessary replacement of a 600-metre wire mesh safety fence that wraps around the track perimeter to catch flying debris.
• Insurance Risks: The stadium's insurance provider will not cover the venue against potential serious accidents while a proper substitute fence remains uninstalled. 
• Financial Strain: Remedying these issues would require several months and a massive financial cost. The owners, who have already spent over £250,000 on recent upgrades, decided that continuing motor racing is no longer financially viable for the business. 

The Promoter's Reaction

The announcement took race coordinator Spedeworth Motorsports by surprise. They expressed deep disappointment over the abrupt closure, which came less than 24 hours after hosting a highly successful race meeting. The promoter has indicated they will provide an update regarding pre-existing bookings and upcoming ticket details in the coming days. 

Future of the Venue

While motor sports (including historic banger, stock car, and past motorcycle speedway events) have permanent checkered flags, the facility itself may not disappear entirely. The venue owners are actively evaluating future plans and exploring alternative, non-motorsport events that could safely occupy the stadium grounds