Kent SLYDE Kings have named former Premier League title winner, Luke Bowen as their new number one and skipper, as the Sittingbourne Central Park based Speedway side declare their 1-8.
In a tantalising blend of experience and youth as they set their sights on success in the 2016 National League.
Co-promoter Len Silver explains how the process of building a side has progressed, he said:“Our management team has spent the months since the end of the 2015 season researching the availability of riders both experienced and newcomers in an effort to produce a side that can challenge for honours in the forthcoming 2016 NL campaign.
With the Monday evening early curfew a distinct disadvantage to us, it became vital not only to choose the correct riders, but additionally those that can actually fulfil all of the team’s fixtures.”
Retained from last year are the hugely popular Danny Ayres – who finished last campaign as the in-form man in the division, taking second place in the NL Riders Championship; James Shanes, the most promising teenager in the sport with two national titles added to his prolific track racing CV in 2015; and given a further chance to progress from the reserve berth, local rider Danno Verge.
Out is Aaron Baseby after the Sevenoaks rider found it increasingly difficult last term to fulfil away fixtures in particular; and mainstay heat leader since the Speedway club opened up at the Sittingbourne Greyhound Stadium in 2013, Ben Morley has been recalled by his parent club, Rye House to appear for them at both NL and Premier levels.
The Kings’ original skipper back in 2013 was the hugely experienced former Divisional Riders Champion David Mason and it’s welcome news indeed that, after a season spent at rivals Eastbourne, the popular ‘Magic’ man is back. Mason’s renowned expertise around the Central Park circuit and his huge influence in the pits bring great solidity to the squad.
Team manager, Chris Hunt was concerned at the lack of progress made by a number of the “tail- enders” of 2015 and this area of the SLYDE Kings was a major target for improvement.
Rookie Jack Thomas will be joined by another recruit completely new to NL racing for 2016 in the form of Maidstone-born teenager Connor Locke.
The Kings’ management have put together an eight man squad which looks to be an ideal combination of experience and youth. With a 40.00 point target allowed for team building in the 2016 NL, the initial SLYDE Kings side will add up to 39.88 for seven men and the riders are (in alphabetical order)
Danny Ayres 7.05
Luke Bowen 8.52
Luke Clifton 3.50
Connor Locke 3.00
David Mason 6.96
James Shanes 7.85
Jack Thomas 3.00
Danno Verge 3.00
Hunt is optimistic that this squad can deliver the goods, he said: “Luke Bowen is a major capture for the club and is surely destined to become one of the League’s top performers.
“Much has already been written about our signing, Luke Clifton, awarded a 3.50 average by the BSPA in view of his previous experience and I see him as the key to a powerful “engine room” of the team alongside returning favourite, David Mason, now fully fit and in daily training following his serious leg injury sustained at Central Park last season. It was the punishing training schedule which David set for himself which convinced us to include him, plus his sheer enthusiasm for the Kings.
“Our two new teenagers Jack and Connor have been placed under full contracts following very promising career beginnings”
Meanwhile Silver is happy with behind the scenes arrangements for the ambitious club’s fourth season in the sport, he added: “Street Life Young Drivers Education (SLYDE) will once again be the main sponsors and this year intend to become even more closely involved on the presentation and publicity side to increase awareness throughout Kent.
“My personal thanks go to Karl Rushen of SLYDE who has already given me great personal assistance with the upgrading of our track equipment. We are already proposing a number of areas of joint co-operation to publicise the Kings, no club can have a better sponsor”.
With expenses rising inevitably, particularly in the area of rider costs, it has been felt necessary to raise admission prices slightly and these will be, for 2016, Adults at £13; 13 years of age to 18, at £6; with children Under 13 remaining FREE. Programme charges will be as previously, £2
A strong link with the nearby training track at Iwade, where the SLYDE Kings have provided an air- fence to comply with Speedway Control Bureau regulations is hoped to solve the problem of training for local youngsters and making Swale as an area a hub of excellence in the world of Speedway.
The season will get underway on Good Friday with home and away fixtures with local rivals, Eastbourne for the “Good Friday Chase” at Eastbourne at 12 noon and at Central Park at 6.30pm
Image courtesy of Elizabeth Leslie
TAGS: Kent Kings