Gizatullin's tense wait for visa
Russian speedway rider Denis Gizatullin’s visa application to ride in England for the Eastbourne Eagles should move a step nearer this coming week.
He is due to collect an important certificate tomorrow (Monday) saying he has passed a test of his ability to understand English.
A certificate he already has was rejected but it is now believed all the paperwork will be in order for him to make the application to the UK Border Agency in Moscow.
The application could take four to six weeks to process, making it a race against time if he is to ride in the Eagles’ first match on March 17 at home to Peterborough.
The club revealed last night (Saturday) at a fans’ forum they have a Plan B, if Gizatullin’s application fails.
The other rider is not being named for fear of Eastbourne losing him to another club. However, he is foreign.
New co-promoter Mike Bellerby, pictured here, reminded fans that the club had moved from a situation in the middle of last year when Eastbourne Speedway was set to close to now when the club will compete in the 2010 Elite League.
He said the aim was to build the club up this year so that by the end of the season there was no question mark over the Eagles’ future.
Various promotional activities are planned, including having A5 and A4 flyers for distribution. Fans are likely to be asked to help with this.
Other news in brief from the meeting:
*Bellerby and fellow co-promoter Trevor Geer met a group of supporters to discuss re-forming a supporters’ club.
*Meeting for track staff is on Sunday, February 28, at the stadium (11am).
*Press and Practice Day is on March 13.
*Other practise sessions will be held at Arlington as soon as the track is fit. The prolonged winter has made it impossible to get the circuit ready to ride. *Big news about sponsorship is expected later this week.
(Added to site Sunday, February 14th, 2010)
