At the end of 1947, the
Eastbourne Eagles were forced to close down due to a petrol ban enforced at their
Arlington Stadium. They decided to transfer their team to Hastings and at the beginning of 1948 the
Speedway Control Board granted a licence to Hastings to stage speedway. They entered the
National League Division Three under the management of ex-
Wimbledon rider
Charles Dugard. In their first meeting at their track at Pilot Field, approximately 5,000 people saw Hastings beat
Stoke 44–39. Hastings finished the
1948 league season in a mid table position in sixth place. They completed the
1949 season in a similar mid table position (8th). At the end of 1949, Hastings were forced to close after a group residents living near to the track took legal action to prevent further racing. The residents claimed that the noise from the
speedway motorcycles was a
public nuisance. An appeal by Hastings Speedways Ltd in January 1950 was unsuccessful. The Pilot Field is still in use by
football team
Hastings United. ==Notable riders==