What is now the long-awaiting opening meeting of the Kent Speedway 2021 season is a Bank Holiday afternoon meeting on Monday May 31st – with a 4pm start time (gates open at 2.30pm) It’s National League [NL] action with the newly-branded Kent Royals taking on the Eastbourne Seagulls.
For the Iwade Garage-sponsored Royals it’s a debut in league competition with the elevation of the senior Kings to the second tier, but there are still some familiar faces in the shape of captain Rob Ledwith, doubling up star Daniel Gilkes, Jacob Clouting and youngster Jake Mulford who were all part of Kent Speedway’s 2019 NL side. A recent addition to the Royals is Jamie Couzins – though he’s a familiar and local face of course, as Faversham-based Jamie was a King in 2015 and briefly again in 2018.
Completing the septet are two new signings. The Royals’ new number one is Norwich-born Ryan Kinsley. Ryan joins from Mildenhall (with Jordan Jenkins going in the opposite direction) and will double up in 2021 also as a ‘Rising Star’ with top flight King’s Lynn Stars. The second newcomer is in his first season in the sport, 21-year-old Josh Warren. Josh was recommended to the club by 2016 British Champion and Maidstone born Danny King (a literal Kent King assisting the Royals!)
For the visitors, they welcome back to the shale after a four-year break Jake Knight – who’s got off to a flyer already with a full maximum in his first away match as a Seagull. A rider returning to the Eastbourne fold after a spell with Plymouth, who like Kent moved to the SGB Championship, is one of the most popular visitors to Central Park over the years, Richard Andrews. And also joining Andrews in a move from Plymouth is youngster Henry Atkins, who had a terrific race at Central Park in 2018 with Kent legend Luke Bowen. Two one-time Kings occupy the reserve berths for the Seagulls, Nick Laurence and Nathan Ablitt.
Tickets for this one are on sale from Central Park (see below). Admission details for NL home fixtures at Kent Speedway are £15 for adults; £10 for 17 years and under; 12 years and under go free.
Kent Iwade Garage Royals vs. Eastbourne Seagulls (National League) Bank Holiday Monday 31st. May 4pm start time; gates open at 2.30pm. Tickets available from Central Park Stadium between 10am & 4pm – ‘phone 01795 475547 NB. The stadium box office will be open for ticket sales on Saturday 29th. (10am - 3pm) and on Sunday 30th (12 noon-3pm). Personal callers are welcome or by ‘phone to 01795 475547