With the Advent of a 2015 season in everyone’s mind, Kent Kings Speedway fans were given the perfect early Christmas present with the news of the signing to ride for the Sittingbourne-based side of one of British motorcycling most exciting young talents, James Shanes.
The 17-year old from Puddletown in Dorset is the reigning British under 21 Grasstrack champion and made a huge impression on the shale of Central Park in 2014, twice scoring double figures and putting in man-of-the-meeting performances riding for his National League side of last term, the Devon Demons.
It was the teenager’s buccaneering style which caught the eye as much as his prolific points plundering and he was in most home fans’ opinions the most exciting visiting talent appearing at the track in 2014.
This marked him down very much as the man most Kings’ fans would have chosen to add to the Kent side for the forthcoming campaign and their wishes came true this week as co-promoter Len Silver, said: “When Devon decided not to enter the National League in 2015, it took only hours for James to link with the Kings, declaring it to be his favourite track last season.
“We certainly noted what he could do around our circuit from the outstanding full throttle action he delivered on his visits with the Demons last season and we’re delighted to pull off what is a major coup for the club”
The likeable and articulate youngster is full of excitement for the coming campaign, he said: “I’ve really enjoyed my racing at Central Park and have ridden the track very well, so I know it suits my style. Also I know a lot of people in Kent from my grasstrack racing in the county and I am certain the whole set-up at Central Park with really supportive management, a great team and really enthusiastic fans will be exactly what I need to progress my Speedway career”.
In a number of ways young Shanes’ show-stealing performances around the Kent circuit were his Speedway highlights of 2014 – a season when he dominated the British Grasstrack scene.
He added: “I had an amazing year on Grasstrack, winning the British under 21s, finishing fourth in the Masters and only missing out on the senior 350cc title when my chain came off. I won all my other races that day so know that only misfortune there stopped me getting a national championship double.
“At Speedway though my season was too uneven due to my NL side Devon not getting all their fixtures in and I did miss a period after getting in the Plymouth Premier League side but then damaging knee ligaments in a crash at King’s Lynn. I’m training hard over the winter now and am raring to get back on track as a Kent King in 2015”.
One of the most exciting aspects of Shanes’ racing is his unique stance on the bike – a real throwback to the racing style of stars of yesteryear.
“I’m quite short and I don’t believe on sitting ON the bike but IN the bike! It’s a style I’ve developed riding grasstrack from the age of six years and I know it looks a bit more spectacular than some other riders! I hope I can use the style to good effect and thrill my new home fans along the way too!”
With further team members for what will be Kent’s third season in Speedway’s National League to be announced, the news that James Shanes is on board in 2015 will have the fans buzzing at Central Park and other clubs looking over their shoulders at the fast-improving Kings in the forthcoming campaign.
Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Leslie