Kent SLYDE Kings aim to clinch second place in the qualification standings on Play Off ‘cut-off’ date on Sunday (23/9) when they journey up to Buxton.
The bottom-placed Hitmen have inavertedly become hugely embroiled in the chase for the top four with all five teams actively competing over the closing weeks of the qualification period for the remaining three slots, Kent, Birmingham, Coventry, Eastbourne and Plymouth yet to have been fitted in by the Derbyshire club for matches at their often rain-hit Hi-Edge Raceway home. The rain off of the double header scheduled there last Sunday dealt a blow to both Coventry and Birmingham – with the former now sweating on the latter’s match at table-toppers Mildenhall also on Sunday. However, because of the gaps in the fixtures completed it is now mathematically certain that whatever happens at West Row and indeed at Buxton (where billing will be shared also with Plymouth who make the long journey to the Dales), the SLYDE-sponsored Kings cannot now finish lower than fourth and so a Play off place is confirmed.
With Eastbourne failing to get to track this weekend a solitary point against Buxton will mean the Kings finishing in second place at this crucial stage of the Travel Plus Tours National League [TPTNL] season for a second season running.
Coming in as ‘Guest’ for Chris Hunt’s charges is three-times British youth champion and twice World Champion at junior Longtrack level. Kyle Bickley. A winner of the TPTNL last year with Belle Vue Colts, Bickley is a rare breed in being a rider who has visited Buxton already this term in a TPTNL fixture – scoring 11 points for the Colts in June. Taylor Hampshire returns from a leg injury and Jamie Couzins is back in the reserve berth. Nathan Stoneman and Alex Spooner have had a long-travelling weekend – having represented the GB Young Lions at Plymouth on Friday. Stoneman scored nine points for the national U-23 select whilst team mate Spooner enjoyed one of the undoubted best nights of his career with a remarkable paid 15 points return from the reserve berth.
The hosts are using Rider Replacement for the retired James Cockle and track former Kings’ man Connor Coles plus two former British champions in Ben Wilson (U-21 title winner in 2006) and skipper Tom Woolley (Short Track UK junior champion that same year)
Teams [in alphabetical order]: Buxton Hitmen: Connor Coles; Kieran Douglas; Corban Pavitt; Lewis Whitmore; Ben Wilson; Tom Woolley; Rider Replacement for: James Cockle Kent SLYDE Kings: Kyle Bickley [Guest]; Jamie Couzins; Taylor Hampshire; Anders Rowe; Alex Spooner; Nathan Stoneman; Jack Thomas
The meeting is at Buxton Speedway, Hi-Edge Raceway, Dale Head Lane, Axe Edge (off the A53 Buxton to Leek road) – to check if meeting is on please call 01298 72271.
The meeting starts at 3.00pm with the first match being Buxton vs Plymouth Devils followed by the Kings taking on the Hitmen.