The curtain comes down as the fireworks go up at Central Park Stadium this evening for the gala final meeting of the 2017 season at Kent Speedway.
The action on track gets underway at 6,30pm with a stellar line up of riders contesting the Laurels for the WJ Cearns Trophy.
The previous winners of this event since it moved to Central Park Stadium (having previously been staged at the famous London venue actually built by WJ Cearns, Wimbledon Stadium) are both in tonight’s line-up. Simon Lambert was winner the first three years it was staged at Kent (2013 to 2015) and indeed retains at the moment a 100% record in the event having missed out on the chance to defend his hat trick of wins last term. The winner then was twice previously runner up Stevie Boxall.
Lambert & Boxall are of course both former Kent Kings skippers and with former National League Riders Champion Ben Morley (captain in 2015 and still record points scorer for the Kings) also in the field plus of course current incumbent, the inspirational Luke Bowen, it’s a unique coming together of all the captains contesting for thus coveted title.
Not that this quartet will have it all their own way – not with fourth-placed rider from last year’s Laurels and renowned Central Park track specialist, Tom Bacon in the field along with former GB World Cup rider and all-round Kentish-racing legend who rides for Lakeside Hammers in the TPNL, Paul Hurry. Then there’s the rest of Kent’s current squad (minus Ben Hopwood) which includes former Central Park track record holder Dan Greenwood; the rider who stepped in so well as skipper when Bowen was injured mid-season, Jack Thomas; youngster Anders Rowe (who tasted some success yesterday when ‘guesting’ for a Mildenhall side which won the National Trophy); the rider who’s been in excellent form in Kent’s great run-in to the Play Offs, George Hunter; plus (if fit) Kiwi, Bradley Andrews. Completing the line up is Tom Bacon’s Birmingham team mate, the very promising Taylor Hampshire.
Kent Laurels line up [in alphabetical order]: Bradley Andrews (Kent SLYDE Kings); Tom Bacon (Birmingham Brummies); Luke Bowen (Kent SLYDE Kings); Stevie Boxall (Plymouth Devils); Dan Greenwood (Kent SLYDE Kings); Taylor Hampshire (Birmingham Brummies); George Hunter (Kent SLYDE Kings); Paul Hurry (Lakeside Hammers); Simon Lambert (Peterborough Panthers); Ben Morley (Lakeside Hammers); Anders Rowe (Kent SLYDE Kings); Jack Thomas (Kent SLYDE Kings)
Following the presentation of the trophy and the cheque for £300 by Club Chairman and Stadium owner at Central Park, Roger Cearns (grand-son of the legendary WJ Cearns in whose name the Laurels event is commemorated) there will be a grand fireworks display that is absolutely not to be missed! And then after that it’s the traditional Rider farewells and Presentations in the Central Bar.
All in all a night not to be missed at Kent Speedway!