Hastings Saxons

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Hastings Saxons were a British motorcycle speedway team based at the Pilot Field in Hastings, East Sussex. They raced there for two seasons, 1948 and 1949. The team moved to Hastings after the Eastbourne Eagles closed because of a petrol ban in 1947. Hastings was licensed to stage speedway in early 1948 and joined the National League Division Three under manager Charles Dugard, a former Wimbledon rider. In their first home meeting, about 5,000 spectators saw Hastings beat Stoke 44–39. The 1948 season finished in sixth place, and 1949 finished in eighth. At the end of 1949, a group of local residents sued to stop racing, saying the noise was a nuisance. Hastings Speedways Ltd lost an appeal in January 1950. The Pilot Field is now used by Hastings United football club. Team colours were red and white. The track was 388 yards long, and the record time was 71.0 seconds in 1948 by Wally Green.