Kent Speedway have announced their early season fixtures – an exciting schedule which signals the Sittingbourne-based Speedway club’s intent to make a real challenge for National League [NL] honours in 2016.

Already announced has been the two-legged challenge against the SLYDE Kings’ local rivals, Eastbourne Eagles on Good Friday – the Kings travelling to Arlington in the afternoon and then entertaining the 2015 National Trophy and Gold Cup winners back at Central Park in the evening.

The action has now been confirmed to continue thick and fast with a bumper meeting arranged at Central Park for the afternoon of the Bank Holiday just three days later (Easter Monday).

The opponents in the Easter Trophy will be National League stalwarts, the King’s Lynn Young Stars.

The Norfolk-based side celebrating the 50^th. anniversary of league Speedway at their well-appointed home up near The Wash have put together an impressive side hoping to clean up in 2016 and this challenge match (reprising the Easter Trophy previously contested between the two sides in 2014) will be a real test for Chris Hunt’s Kent squad who have title ambitions of their own.

With three newcomers in the declared 1 to 7 including a rookie completely new to NL racing in teenager Jack Thomas and a rider returning after well 12 years out of the sport in Luke Clifton, the SLYDE Kings’ management have recognised the importance of getting in as much track time as possible in before embarking on the bread and butter business of the League, National Trophy [NT] and Cup competitions. 

Hence following the busy Easter weekend the following Monday sees Central Park hosting a Club event on Monday April 4^th.  This event will be free admission for fans, who will see all of the 2016 squad taking part in races and timed laps around the re-modelled Central Park circuit.  Further details to follow but it is confirmed that the annual Fans Forum will take place on this date in the Central Bar following the end of the on track action.

Then, following the GB Under 21 Championship semi-final [the prestigious individual event scheduled for Central Park on the 11^th. of April – certain to feature the SLYDE Kings’ young multi-national champion James Shanes] the next Monday (April 18^th.) will see a Junior event staged at the Kent home circuit based at the Sittingbourne Greyhound Stadium in Murston – details to be confirmed.

Then to complete the programme of ‘pre-season’ challenge meetings it will be the return of a meeting which proved hugely popular when staged for the first time in 2015, the Invicta Pairs.  Again this event will see famous club names from the past of Speedway in the county represented via pairings led by each of the SLYDE Kings’ top five, with the other squad members all also in action.

The first home NL or NT match will then take place on May Day Bank Holiday Monday on May 2^nd by which time the SLYDE Kings will be well and truly warmed up for the challenges ahead.

Team Manager Chris Hunt commented: “We are very pleased with the side we’ve put together for 2016 and are really looking forward to the season getting underway.  I can’t over emphasise though how vitally important it is to get in as much track and racing time as possible prior to the actual; serious business of league racing so this programme of events is vital for us. 

“We know that fans at Central Park really support all events and these ones are absolutely crucial for the development of our side as well as representing some excellent entertainment.  Both the Eagles and the Young Stars stand poised to be right up there among the challengers for the title, so pitting ourselves against these two talented sides in pre-season action will really test us.  The Invicta Pairs was very well received last year and again this term will give our riders another chance in particular to team ride – a skill crucial to success in league Speedway.”
Fixture details:
Friday March 25 Eastbourne (Good Friday Chase first leg) AWAY [12pm start time]

Friday March 25 Eastbourne (Good Friday Chase second leg) HOME [6.30pm start time]

Monday March 28 King’s Lynn (Easter Trophy) HOME [3.00pm start time]
Monday April 4th.  Club Day & Fans’ Forum [6.30pm start time – FREE ADMISSION]

Monday April 11th. GB Under 21 Championship Semi Final [6pm start time]

Monday April 18th. Junior Meeting (TBC) [6.30pm start time]

Monday April 25th. Crayford Invicta Pairs [6.30pm start time]