It’s second versus fourth in this Travel Plus Tours National League clash up in Manchester on Friday evening – and the Kent SLYDE Kings know that a victory over the Belle Vue Colts at the National Speedway Stadium will take the gap between them and the reigning champions into double figures – all but clinching as top four berth and a place in the Play Offs.
Again though it’s going to have to be away day trip without their full resources – with three of the side which beat third placed Birmingham at Central Park on Monday missing for this latest Inter-city foray.
Skipper Jack Thomas is on duty for his SGB Championship side, Glasgow Tigers and number one Paul Hurry (one of Europe’s top Grasstrackers so much in demand) will be South of France (as opposed to South Manchester!) bound.
Also unable to make this Friday night fixture is Jamie Couzins. William O’Keefe is a natural fit to take Couzins’ place at reserve and for the missing top two, Chris Hunt is able to call on ‘Guest’ replacements: Ben Morley comes into a number one Invicta race jacket he has of course worn with distinction so many times before; and it’s the popular Maidstone-based Georgie Wood who fills in replacing Thomas.
There’s a need for a Guest in the Colts’ ranks too – with their young Cumbrian Kyle Bickley riding for his home county club, SGB Championship Workington Comets – his place is taken by former GB U-21 champion, Ben Wilson.
The first of three crunch TPTNL matches in just four days for the SLYDE-sponsored Kings is on Friday 31st. August at the National Speedway Stadium, Kirkmanshulme Lane, Gorton, Manchester M12 4WB with a 7.30pm start time.