Simon Lambert defends his Kent Laurels title on Monday at Central Park when the attention shifts away from team action to the pursuit of individual glory in the 40^th staging of this famous event for the WJ Cearns Trophy.

Returning for the evening and determined to gain revenge on Lambert after last season’s surprise outcome is STEVE BOXALL. The inspirational skipper of the CTA Fire Kings last season was unbeaten going into the Grand Final last year but somehow Steve was denied the Laurels title by a battling performance from the man destined to replace him at Kent captain, Simon Lambert.

The only man ever to win the Riders Championship in the third tier twice, Steve will be determined to make up for last year’s disappointment in this, his third Laurels (having ridden in the 2003 event at Wimbledon).

JON ARMSTRONG is a total legend of the third tier having won every individual and team title in a glittering 22 and counting year career.  Individual Riders Champion when a Buxton Hitman back in 1997, Armstrong completed his set of titles (which includes the League, Cup, Trophy and Fours with Mildenhall) when he took the Pairs title with his current club Stoke earlier this season.

Fellow Potters rider BEN HOPWOOD was the first visiting rider to score a league maximum at Central Park last year and he’s now truly established as a track specialist around the circuit in Sittingbourne.

In an era of riders moving Speedway clubs with increasing frequency, there are precious few one club men who achieve the distinction of a proper ten year Testimonial.

But you can count LUKE BOWEN among those, as the ‘Bowen 247’ celebrates a decade with his beloved Rye House this season and last weekend was honoured by the Hertfordshire track with a Benefit meeting.  In Bowen’s only previous performance at Central Park, he finished runner up to his old pal Boxall in last term’s Silverski Championship.

Making a comeback after a long spell on the sidelines that evening last September was MARC OWEN – and the Sussex speedster has gone from strength to strength back in the National League this season with the King’s Lynn Young Stars.  His recent 11 points return at Central Park for the Norfolk side was one of the most exciting performances by a visiting rider ever at the home of Kent Speedway.

Making a very welcome return to Central Park are two former CTA Fire Kings’ favourites: LUKE CHESSELL and JACK KINGSTON.  Luke has moved onto the Devon Demons after serving the Kent club well in the early months of this campaign; whilst Dagenham-born Jack is now plying his racing trade with Mildenhall after being a first year King last term.

Joining Lambert in the field and sure to be supported noisily by the home faithful, are the CTA Fire Kings quartet of AARON BASEBY, BENJI COMPTON, DANNY AYRES & JASON GARROD.

The Kent Laurels for the WJ Cearns Trophy meeting gets underway at 6.30pm on Monday July 21^st.

Picture supplied by Nick Truscott.