Kent Speedway club’s bid for silverware in the 2018 National Trophy [NT] has an extra challenge added to it with the news that current holders, the Mildenhall Fen Tigers have decided to enter the fray to defend their title.
The Suffolk side (who topped the ‘Eastern’ group last term including the SLYDE-sponsored Kings last term before going on to beat Plymouth in the Final) had initially not opted to enter this year’s Trophy competition but with uncertainty lifted over the number of fixtures available to them at their West Row base, the Fen Tigers are now back in the frame – joining Kent and a trio of former winners of Speedway’s National League’s ‘sister’ competition in Isle of Wight, Eastbourne and last year’s runners-up the Devon-based Plymouth Devils.
So that’s a five team ‘Southern’ Group – the most number of sides in qualification Kent have faced as ever-presents in the NT since the sport opened at Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne in 2013.
It’s Eastbourne who are the first opponents this coming campaign in a two legged Easter Chase event beginning with the visit of the Kings’ deadly Sussex-based rivals to Central Park on Good Friday (30/3).
And another red letter day in the early salvos of the season will be exactly a month later on April 30th., when they’ll be a special challenge match pitching the 2018 SLYDE Kings squad against a Kent All-time Greats side featuring a septet of riders with connections to the Garden of England.
The All-time Greats select will be led by one of the very best riders to come from the county in modern times, former GB World Team Cup rider and one-time rostrum man in the World Long Track Championship, Paul Hurry.
The club are pursuing a major sponsor for what is sure to be a memorable evening’s racing welcoming back an array of one time Kings’ riders.
Talking of sponsors, the club are delighted that loyal and generous supporters CTA Fire have announced backing once again to all seven of the riders wearing the famous Invicta race jackets in 2018.
Gill Best-Knight from the Swale-based fire safety, detection and alarm specialists was delighted to confirm the firm’s continued backing,
“CTA Fire are sponsoring all the Kent Kings’ riders for a second successive season. We are have been involved with the club since the very beginning and are proud to continue providing backing for the Kings into a sixth consecutive year.”
“As a local company we want to do all we can to help the Kings to a successful season. Long live the Kings!”