Local rivalries are to be re-joined as a season opener for the Kent SLYDE Kings with the 2016 campaign to get underway with a two-legged challenge against neighbours, Eastbourne Eagles.
The Sittingbourne-based Speedway side will get the new season underway on Good Friday which is March 27th. next year, by taking on the side from Sussex twice in the one day.
The Bank Holiday treat will see the SLYDE-backed Kings travel the short distance to the seaside town to take on the Eagles at their Arlington Raceway home with a 12 noon start-time. The hostilities will then resume in the second leg back at Central Park in the evening (6.30pm start time).
This is the first time Kent have been involved in a ‘double header’ of this type with away and home fixtures of a two-legged challenge taking place on the same day and this special event is being dubbed ‘The Good Friday Chase’.
The Eagles held sway in the two clubs’ head to head meetings last season, though when it came to the silverware there was more commonality: with the 2015 City Gearboxes National League [CGNL] newcomers Eastbourne taking the Gold Cup and National Trophy, whilst the Kent club based at the Sittingbourne Greyhound Stadium in Murston, claiming success in the National Pairs and the one and two in the National League Riders Championship.
The immediate resumption of a now well-established rivalry in this Easter extravaganza of racing on Good Friday will be an important marker for how the 2016 CGNL season is likely to pan out for the two south-eastern clubs.
Kent will be in quick-fire action back at Central Park on the Easter Monday public holiday too – with a CGNL fixture against opponents yet to be announced pencilled in for 3pm on the Bank Holiday Monday.