This evening's (Monday 8th. October) final meeting of the season at Kent Speedway is the sixth staging of the Kent Laurels - itself a long standing individual competition previously held at Wimbledon Stadium, which has seen the winner presented with the WJ Cearns Trophy, an award in memory of British Speedway pioneer and stadium building legendary figure, since it was inaugurated back in 1952.
The Laurels this year has greater poignancy, with 2018 being the 90th. anniversary of WJ Cearns building the original Speedway track used for the first dirt track motorcycle racing events held in the UK at High Beech and also his iconic stadium in Wimbledon in south-west London at Plough Lane, SW17. Wimbledon Stadium was demolished earlier this year and one of the original cast iron turnstiles is on display today in the lobby of Central Park - the stadium home of Kent Speedway and owned by WJ Cearns' grand-son, Roger Cearns,
The 12 riders contesting the Kent Laurels will be competing for the title, the WJ Cearns Memorial Trophy and a cash prize of £300 - with £100 for the runner up and £50 for third place.
The riders in alphabetical order are:
Richard Andrews Plymouth Devils Jon Armstrong Coventry Bees Luke Clifton Daniel Gilkes Taylor Hampshire Kent SLYDE Kings Kyle Hughes Rob Ledwith Anders Rowe Kent SLYDE Kings Alex Spooner Kent SLYDE Kings Nathan Stoneman Kent SLYDE Kings Jack Thomas Kent SLYDE Kings Danno Verge Isle of Wight Warriors
The action gets underway at 6.30pm on Monday (8/10) and following the action will be the 2018 farewells and presentations in the Central Bar.