Eastbourne Eagles have won their off-track battle to outlaw Grand Prix riders from British speedway.

Elite League clubs will be limited next season to just one GP rider, and none will be allowed in 2003.

The decision was made by the British Speedway Promoters' Association a month ahead of schedule.

Eastbourne promoter Jon Cook said: "It is fantastic news. This was the day when British speedway stood up and said enough is enough. We are not going to be taken advantage of any more."

The move means that, apart from financial concerns of the clubs, league fixtures will no longer be disrupted by Grand Prix meetings.

Tracks like Eastbourne, worried by the increasing number of international calls on riders, will now be able to stage regular meetings throughout the season.

Explained Cook: "As things stand, there will be only nine GP riders in the Elite League. When teams meet on Grand Prix weekends, they will cancel each other out, and we can get on with the business of running speedway."

The vote to bring in restrictions on the superstars was unanimous, and the clubs will meet again next month to set points limits for next season.

Cook expects there will be a backlash and predicts "a degree of panic" among the top riders.

"I anticipate a number of riders will pull out of the Grand Prix so they can ride in the Elite League.

"This is a huge step forward for British speedway, and the response from other tracks since we started our campaign has been beyond our wildest dreams.

"It shows how serious everyone regards the growth of the Grand Prix and its affect on the grass roots of the sport. The fans voted overwhelmingly for this, and it's great that the clubs are now all pulling in the same direction."

Cook also revealed that it may be possible to stage meetings on Sundays because the Polish league, who race on Sundays, have now voted to limit their teams to only one foreign rider.

Eastbourne are likely to announce their team plans for next season after the BSPA meeting in November. Currently no decision has been taken on whether Joe Screen will be riding in the Grand Prix.