Racing set to resume at stadium after closure

Motorsports are to resume at a venue in East Sussex, its owners have said.

Arlington Stadium, near Hailsham, stopped its racing in August after 60 years.

Its owners said it was due to "ongoing serious infrastructure problems which directly influenced the health and safety of both the public and competitors".

Co-owner Eric Dugard confirmed that racing would resume on 14 November and said he was "delighted that all issues had now been resolved".

Promotors Spedeworth Motorsports said the track was reopening "thanks to the monumental efforts of a small army of hugely generous people".

The company said it was "proud to be investing in the future of racing once again" and that it "remains committed to being a promoter of the sport".

Dugard told the BBC in August "a considerable number of areas" at the stadium required improvement in order for the 2026 racing season to proceed.

He said that following meetings with structural engineers from East Sussex County Council, numerous issues had "quite rightly" been pointed out, as befitting "a rural stadium that's been built upon and patched-up over decades".

Chief among those issues, Dugard added, was the replacing of a 600m wire mesh fence that runs around the perimeter of the track and stops any debris thrown up from hitting spectators.

Dugard confirmed on Thursday that East Sussex County Council had inspected the track and were now happy with all safety measures.

The council has been contacted for comment.

Events resume on 14 November with stock cars, followed by banger racing on 28 November, according to the promotors.

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