Seagulls

Get to know the 2020/21 Seagulls. On two minutes with James Jessop – riding for The Eastbourne Seagulls Powered by Save Thurrock Hammers speedway in the MSDL league.

To follow James on social media, click here for Twitter, here for Facebook and here for Instagram.

1: What is your favourite track (and why?)

To ride its Swindon. I’ve only been twice but loved it. It is a great shape, prepared well. It’s also nostalgic for me because it was the first track I watched live Speedway at.

2: Who is your favourite rider (and why?)

Jason Crump is my favourite of all time. I’m a Belle Vue fan when I’m not riding, and he was our big hitter when I started watching speedway. I also like Zagar and probably a bit controversial for an Eastbourne rider to say, but Cookie too. I like Smolinski too.

3: What is the best thing about being a speedway rider?

I love the traveling! A lot of people moan about it but I like it. Plus I’m a very competitive guy so I love the competition. When it’s going well, I feel like a superstar but I can be pretty moody when it’s not.

4: What is the worst thing about being a speedway rider?

I can’t remember the last time I had a lot of money. At this level, the outgoings are significantly more than what comes in. And what does come in 9/10 goes back into the bike/equipment or travel.

5. Inside on the white line or hugging the fence?

I would love to say I blast around the fence but I’m an inside line rider. Riding wide is something I need to work on. But I am pretty confident with my cut back ability, especially on the first turn.

6: Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Don’t listen to everyone. Everyone thinks they are a pro and have the secret and what’s best for you. They probably have what is best for them, no doubt. But if you have 10 people in your ear, its unlikely they are all saying the same thing. So now I know who I trust when I need a hand and I’ve also picked up enough now that I’m able to test and make progress/discoveries using previous experience, whereas when I just started and was clueless. It gets confusing.

7: Pre-meeting ritual?

I like to turn up early. I enjoy watching the atmosphere in the pits/stands build. I’ll walk the track, sometimes more than once. I don’t really have any lucky omens (maybe it’s where I’ve gone wrong!) But I’ll just study the programme, read it, talk to my team mates, interact with any fans and then get changed. 

8: Biggest achievement of your career so far?

In my first year on a bike in 2017 I won the southern track riders series championship (Novice class) which led to my SDL debut with Weymouth down at Plymouth (a 7 hour drive for 2 rides cause it was abandoned). I never won an individual round that series. To this day, I have never won an individual meeting. I did also win the pairs that season to make it a double on my first season.

9: What are your aims and aspirations for the next few seasons?

To keep getting quicker and be the best I can. 2018, my 2nd season was rough as I thought it would be easy to just slot into the MDL/SDL. 2019 was plagued by bike issues. So really, I want to go and prove my worth. Some people only saw my worst from 2018 so it would be nice to go and prove them wrong. Even some people in my own camp doubt me at times. Hopefully, I can earn a NL guest booking in the not too distant future.

10.  Any sponsors to shout out too:

Claret IT

Robins Updates

A&D Roofing

Pete Hibberd Training Academy

DP Designs

Chesil Radio

Jo Collings

Danny Chilcott

Ruth Hannah

Race FX

Ali Morgan

Will Warnes

Jonathan Peplow

Main Image credit: ScipsPics

Get to know the 2020/21 Seagulls. On two minutes with Eli Meadows – riding for The Eastbourne Seagulls Powered by Save Thurrock Hammers speedway in the MSDL league.

To follow Eli on social media, click here for Facebook and here for Instagram.

1: What is your favourite track (and why?)

My favourite track is probably Somerset, as it’s the track I have learnt to ride on and it is always well prepared.

2: Who is your favourite rider (and why?)

My favourite rider from the past is probably Leigh Adams. I watched him at Swindon when I was about 2 or 3 and he was flying.  From the present day it would probably be Charles Wright. He is an exciting rider and never gives up.

3: What is the best thing about being a speedway rider?

Getting the opportunities to go around the country and ride at various tracks.

4: What is the worst thing about being a speedway rider?

RAIN OFFS!!!

5. Inside on the white line or hugging the fence?

Definitely around the white line because it’s less likely you will get wiped out

6: Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Probably the best piece of advice I have been given is to always believe in yourself and never get disheartened.

7: Pre-meeting ritual?

I don’t really have one, however we must go en-route for a Tesco’s meal deal.

8: Biggest achievement of your career so far?

Probably winning a grass track meeting in Bridgewater in the intermediates. With speedway it was always nice to win home and away for Reading.

9: What are your aims and aspirations for the next few seasons?

My aims are to just get faster and faster. One of my goals for this season is to get a maximum in the MSDL for Eastbourne. I would also like to be in a national league team in the next couple of seasons.

10.  Any sponsors to shout out too?

Big thanks to the following & everyone who backs and supports me.

Dave Meadows Plant hire and Groundworks.

Dm Aqua blast

Rock field Farm Shop

Proper job jukebox

Spencer Commercial

Mom and dad

Ari

Broomie

Autosmart

Worcester

Chris Moseley

Emma Stevens

Matt Stevens

Gene Carter

Dave Linaker Plumbing and Heating

Jack Spanner

Image credits: Jeff Higgot and HMX images / Haggis Hartman

The Eastbourne Seagulls powered by Save Thurrock Hammers speedway are delighted to complete their 2020/21 Midland Southern Development League squad, naming Josh Warren as the sixth rider.

The twenty-year-old is new to speedway after originally riding in Motocross and came to the Seagulls Managements notice following an initial recommendation from fellow Seagull Cesca Wright.

Based in Peterborough, Josh has already ridden at numerous tracks including Rye House, Ipswich and Leicester as well as Macon in France, and despite being in his first season won his class in the recent amateur meeting at Scunthorpe.

Josh who shares a workshop with former Hammers star & British Final winner Danny King and comes recommended by Ipswich Co-Promoter Richie Hawkins commented:

“I want to say a big thank you to The Seagulls for giving me the opportunity to ride for such a good club and I’m really looking forward to going racing”

Seagulls Team Manager Mark Sexton added:

“Josh is new to speedway but has been making rapid strides through the amateur classes at Scunthorpe recently.  He has already caught the eye of several shrewd observers and we’re confident that the extra track time he will get with the Seagulls will speed up his development even further.”

The Seagulls MSDL meetings will take place at Arlington, with dates to be confirmed with the current Government restrictions in place. 

We hope to have some exciting news in a few days about plans for some additional Meetings in line with Covid 19 Government restrictions, and subject to Supporter approval in a short Poll planned for the weekend over on the Eagles site. 

To follow Josh on social media, click for here Facebook, here for Twitter and here for Instagram.

To learn about a range of Sponsorship opportunities for both individual riders and the Seagulls in general, please contact our Commercial and Operations Director Russell Keetch here.

Image Credits: Jeff Higgott.

The Eastbourne Seagulls powered by Save Thurrock Hammers speedway are delighted to announce James Laker as the fifth rider of their 2020/21 Midland Southern Development League squad.

The eighteen-year-old from Sandwich in Kent, landed a team place at reserve for the Kent Kings in the National League in 2019, as well as captaining the Weymouth Wildcats in the MSDL.

He has also ridden for The Kent Kestrels in the SDL and for Sittingbourne in the SSL and competed in the British Youth Championship between 2015 and 2017.

James, who first took to the shale at the Hagon Shocks Academy at The Hammers former home The Arena Essex Raceway, will also be riding for the Crayford Kestrels in 2020 commented:

“I would like to thank the Eastbourne Seagulls for the opportunity, and look forward to representing them and getting some competitive laps in”

Seagulls Team Manager Mark Sexton added:

“James’s inclusion in the Seagulls squad is a major boost given his experience and results at this level in previous seasons and I’m certain that he’ll be looking to put himself in the shop window for rides in higher leagues. He has good equipment ready to go and I’m confident he will make the most of his opportunity with the Seagulls.”

The Midland Southern Development league rules allow a squad of up to 6 riders, with The Seagulls MSDL meetings taking place following the main Championship action at Arlington.

To follow James on social media, click here for Facebook, here for Instagram and here for Twitter.

To learn about a range of Sponsorship opportunities for both individual riders and the Seagulls in general, please contact our Commercial and Operations Director Russell Keetch here.

Image Credits: Odd Shots (Geoff Young)