The Kent SLYDE Kings seek to maintain their winning start to their 2017 Travel Plus National League [TPNL] campaign when they entertain the Stoke Potters at Central Park this evening.

With last Wednesday’s away trip to King’s Lynn having fallen victim to the rainy weather which swept across the country in the latter half of last week, this means that this evening’s fixture is just the third in the TPNL so far this term and so no changes to starting averages will yet be applicable.

But the whole septet will be looking to continue their fine start to the league season after two thumping wins already – reaching the 60 points mark in wins over both Buxton and then the Norfolk-based Young Stars last Monday,
Stoke bring a side that’s already claimed the hugely notable scalp of champions of the last two seasons, Birmingham and so represent a significant challenge to the so far rampant SLYDE-sponsored Kings.

Those two TPNL matches so far have seen Kent’s skipper Luke Bowen record two full maximums – add to that his exploits in the two challenge matches over Easter and his unbeaten six ride haul in the Invicta Pairs and Bowen is now on a record-busting 25 race wins in a row at his home track!

Having recorded his second fastest time at Central Park (and the third fastest ever) at Central Park in heat one last Monday [56.6 seconds] all eyes will be on the flying ‘Bowen 747’ this evening to see if he can add to his winning run and maybe regain that track record.

For the visitors most interest will be on the only current TPNL ‘number one’ with no experience of Central Park – for being pitched straight against Bowen in heat one will be Aussie and former Premier League rider, Mitchell Davey.
Team [in alphabetical order]:

Kent SLYDE Kings:

Bradley Andrews; Luke Bowen; Luke Clifton; Ben Hopwood; Anders Rowe; Nathan Stoneman; Jack Thomas

Stoke Potters:

Tony Atkin; Mitchell Davey; Luke Priest; David Speight; Shaun Tedman; Ryan Terry-Daley; David Wallinger
Before the meeting this evening there will be a presentation to the riders of specially-personalised Kent SLYDE Kings’ fleece jackets – these will be presented to the home riders by Jeanette & Brenda who arranged the collection with thanks to Rhys Laker, Streetly our trusty Swift and Glenn Collins for helping Jeanette & Brenda with the collection.

Following the presentation the action will get underway at 6.30pm (gates open at 5pm) at Central Park Stadium, Eurolink estate, Sittingbourne.

The date of Kent SLYDE Kings’ away Travel Plus National League [TPNL] fixture vs. Lakeside Hammers has changed. The visit to the Arena Essex Raceway in Thurrock to take on the Hammers in the TPNL for the first time will now be on Friday June 9th. – with an 8pm start time.

This is a rearrangement from the original date which had been the Friday of the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Picture supplied by Elizabeth Leslie.