A frustrating winter spent recovering from injury is being put behind him now as Kent Kings’ local hero, Aaron Baseby gears up for the 2015 National League Speedway campaign.

The speedster from Sevenoaks suffered a broken collarbone crashing out at the Kings’ last competitive fixture of last season, the National Fours up at Coventry and it’s been a long and hard ride back to fitness.

“It was frustrating to end my season with a bad crash up at Brandon and it’s been a long process healing and getting ready to get back on a bike. I’ve managed some laps now though, recently doing some pit bike racing at my former home track at Iwade. That’s blown the cob-webs away somewhat and I’m raring to go for the new season”, explains the 24 year old.

It was a boost, Aaron explains, to be one of the first in the Kings’ management’s plans for the new season,

“I thoroughly enjoyed riding for Kent last year – being given a chance to get my career back on track with my home county club. And when I was told soon after the season’s end that I was wanted back for the 2015 campaign, I was of course very pleased.”

Baseby, the younger of two racing brothers who’d been mainstays in Swale Borough’s previous league side the Iwade-based Sittingbourne Crusaders, tasted plenty of success when riding away from his home county – the League and Cup double with the Poole-based Bournemouth Buccaneers back in 2009 and a further Knock-out Cup triumph when a Mildenhall Fen Tiger in 2011 – but coming ‘home’ felt particularly sweet last term.

“I’d had a difficult 2013 and things weren’t really working out for me anymore at Mildenhall. So when 2014 started and I was without a club it was disappointing. Then came the call from Kent and I have to say I loved the whole set up at Central Park. The lads all got on really well, we have a brilliant set of supporters giving us tremendous backing home and away; the stadium is first class and it all added up to me really enjoying the sport again.”

And Baseby is equally upbeat about the side Chris Hunt will be leading into action as the new Team Manager in 2015.

“I know Chris from when he was firstly the skipper then Team Manager for the Crusaders – it’ll be great to be working with him again. With Ben (Morley) and Danny (Ayres) back again alongside myself we have a nucleus of our side last year when we finished third in the division. New signing James Shanes I’ve seen riding Grasstrack a lot in meetings up against my brother Mark – he’s a really exciting rider on the grass and if he translates that into Speedway he’ll be a real crowd-pleaser. Danno (Verge) was in and around the place a lot last year, being a local Kent lad like me, so he’s already like part of the crowd so will fit in fine. And I know Rikki (Mullins) and Jamie (Couzins) from their riding at Iwade over a long period of time now”.

Aaron is relishing being one of the senior members of the side now.

“Actually I have the most experience by some distance now having first rode in the Conference (the NL’s former title) back in 2005. It’ll be a bit different for me as it looks like I shan’t be riding in the no. 2 race jacket this term – I’ve been riding at no. 2 for a long time it seems now, certainly the last four years. The wearer of the No. 2 race-jacket actually has a crucial role in the team as both heats 1 and 8 are very important – the opening heat to get the side off to a good start and heat 8 when really especially at home the no. 2 is really counted on to deliver. I’m sure whoever gets that spot in the starting line up won’t let us down”

Aaron was the ‘bonus point’ King of last term – showing what a valuable team player he is. Bonus points are awarded when a rider finishes immediately behind his team mate in either second or third place – a reward for the essential art of team riding.

“I finished top bonus points scorer by some distance last season and that was after not even starting the season in the side, joining up a few weeks into the season! It counts for a lot I think and is a major factor I’d like to think why the management have shown such support for my place in the team”.

Machinery-wise Aaron has a great team behind him led by his father Paul, an ever-present stalwart in the racing Baseby boys’ corner on the shale and grass tracks in Kent for well over a decade now.

Aaron is also very appreciative of the support given to him by Steve Ware.

“Steve Ware has given me invaluable help with my engines as my main sponsor. Machine wise we’re set fair for the new season – the engines have been serviced and the bikes are ready. The main issue for me is other equipment, where extra help and sponsorship is always welcome of course but especially this year with some new requirements regarding Kevlar racing suits which mean I have to replace my previous set. I’d certainly be appreciative if some supporters out there could consider giving me some backing in that direction”.

Picture supplied by Elizabeth Leslie.