The event will be held over the traditional 20 heats format with a full 16 riders and is provisionally booked for a Sunday in October.

Promotor Steve Ribbons in announcing the event commented,

“I can’t thank the Supporters Club run by Dianne Farmer enough for the tremendous backing they’ve already shown this year, paying the riders’ fuel & oil and giving other financial support. And remember both the Speedway club itself and the Supporters Club were only formed at the start of the season!”

Ribbons explained that, as much as possible, supporters can have the decision on the line-up of riders they want to see in action at the inaugural Supporters Trophy event,

“Supporters can email in to commercial@kent-speedway.co.uk suggestions of riders names who have appeared at the Iwade track this year who they would like to see again. Should anyone catch their eye in the forthcoming meetings they can vote again or speak to Di Farmer at home meetings and leave her the name of the rider and the promotion will do their best to make sure those that are voted for get to be in the meeting, other commitments allowing.”

Words by Kent Kings – Feature Image by Niall Strudwick

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The two clubs have in common that they’ve both been off-track for around two & a half years now– the Kings losing their Central Park Stadium home at the close of the 2021 season; with the Eagles failing to complete that same season when they folded due to financial difficulties midway through the 2021 campaign.

For the Kings it’s meant a change of home track, moving to compete in NORA League competition this year at the Old Gun Site circuit in Iwade and fans are excited to see them back, with improvements made to the long-established training circuit (open in fact since 1970) and a programme of exciting matches to come.

Meanwhile for the ‘Save Eastbourne Speedway’ Group led by Eagles loyalists David Graveling and Michael Gray it’s about raising awareness to their plight, with hopes of either being able to return to their Arlingrton home or finding an alternative venue in Sussex. They bring a strong-looking sextet to take on the Kings on Sunday.

Gray commented,“We are hoping for a great turn-out of Eagles fans at Iwade this weekend. That would send the message far and wide that the Sussex sporting public want the Eagles back.”

That the sport at Arlington was for many years a huge catalyst for local talent is shown by the Eagles side tracking three extremely locally-based riders, Vinnie Foord, Nick Laurence and their captain, twice British Youth Champion, Nathan Ablitt. A big draw for those travelling Eastbourne fans is the unexpected return to the track of their former favourite, Jake Knight.
The hosts have put together a team which is captained by a former British Youth Champion also, in Rhys Naylor; and at number one have Kings’ stalwart (record appearance & points scorer for the club), the twice National League Riders’ Champion, Ben Morley.

Morley was an ‘original’ King from 2013 and he’s joined by two others who can date their Kings lineage to those early days at Central Park, Sam Woods and 2014 British U19 Championship rostrum man, Jack Kingston. The team is completed by 2023 Iwade Second Half Series winner, Ashford-based Nathan Hargrave and making a Kent debut, Sam Ward.

Kings’ Team Manager Ben Clifton is bullish about the prospect of his charges taking on the Sussex side,

“We know that the Eagles have chosen to come to us with a very strong team, adding the experienced pairing of Ryan Kinsley & Arran Butcher to the Eastbourne-connected riders in their line up – but we are fully up for the challenge. There’s a brilliant team spirit in our camp and so much positivity around the club with a new Supporters Club formed also, so we are really keen to get going and are up for this first challenge.”

Following the 15 heats of the main match, they’ll be a trophy up for grabs in a second half individual, the South Coast Cup, sponsored by the Sussex Eagles Motorcycle Club.

The club have announced also that ‘Blue Light’ workers can enter at a concessionary rate – those seeking to take advantage of this offer will need to produce work IDs to show they work for the NHS, Ambulance Service, Fire Service or Police.
Admission prices are £13; £10 concessions (pensioners, disabled, ‘Blue Light’ workers); and accompanied children 15 years and under free.

Words by Kent Kings – Images by Niall Strudwick Photography

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One of the original septet that graced the shale in the club’s inaugural season at Central Park back in 2013, Morley went on to become the Kings’ record points scorer in two spells: between 2013 and 2015 in the National League and then in the final season, this time in the second tier, in 2021.

Whilst 2024 signals a new beginning for the Kings, Ben is looking forward to leading from the front for the Garden of England side into this new-look future and at the same time appreciates how he has become a fan favourite with the Kentish public.

Speaking on his time with the Kings Morley said,

“When I first joined in 2013, it was a fresh new start and I have had some amazing times at Central Park with great memories and friends coming out of there and now at Iwade.”

Iwade is now also a familiar set-up for Morley having spent the past two seasons there with the Kent Royals and, while looking forward to linking up alongside a largely familiar set of teammates, he reflects on his career on the south side of the QE2 Bridge,

“I’ve always loved racing for Kent, especially now with it being my most local track. And I’m looking forward to another year riding at Iwade and in the Kings’ race jacket which means so much to me.

“With matches in the fixtures announced so far against three of my old clubs, Isle of Wight, Rye House and the Hammers it’s going to be an exciting season.”

• Kent Kings announce 2024 dates and team!

• The Kent Kings are back for 2024!

For a rider high up in the all-time rankings for points scoring in Speedway’s third tier and twice the Divisional Riders’ Champion there’s obviously an element of change in the racing he’ll be involved in but the recently-turned 30-year-old is typically laid back about the difference this makes,

“It’s going to be a bit different being in the NORA League, but as long as I can race my bike, I’m happy. Hopefully, we have a good season with plenty of entertainment and no injuries.”

Morley and Co. will head into action in just four weeks’ time (Sunday April 14th) when Kent take on old local rivals Eastbourne at Iwade with a 2pm start time.

And new promoter Steve Ribbons makes a call for riders interested in joining up with the NORA revolution,

“We have slots available for riders to take place in our full second halves – starting on the 14th. Anyone interested should contact me via our web-site www. kent-speedway.co.uk or call our General Manager Derek Barclay on 07969 578772.

“Meanwhile a reminder that our Press & Practice event is on Sunday 24th. March with a 11am start time.”

Words and Feature Image by Kent Speedway

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The six fixtures added to the opener vs. Eastbourne Eagles on 14th. April announced last week, see two other sides representing campaigns to bring the sport back to long established defunct venues visiting: with Thurrock Hammers coming on May 19th and then Rye House Rockets on June 16th.

Then on July 7th. it’s the other NORA club, Isle of Wight Warriors in what’s expected to be a two leg challenge; before fixtures on September 1st. (slated currently as a London Four Team Tournament) and in October in what promises to be an exciting campaign for the reformed Kings.

And there’s a familiar look for the Kent faithful in the sextet revealed as bringing back the Invicta race jacket to track action, with three members of the original Kings side of 2013 named. Club legend with a record number of appearances for Kent and way ahead as top points scorer for the club, BEN MORLEY will line up as number one – the twice National League Riders’ Champion representing the ambition of new club owner Steve Ribbons to field a very strong side.

Joining Morley is JACK KINGSTON, now recovered from the injury which saw his season with the Kent Royals curtailed early in 2023 and he’s joined by a third ‘original’ Kings man from those Central Park days in the ever-dependable SAM WOODS.

Then it’s a case of best foot for-ward with the signing of Speedway returnee, SAM WARD. The Cheshire-based multi-discipline motorcyclist rode on the shale for Stoke Potters in the early 2010s before taking a 10-year hiatus from the sport, returning in 2023 on the amateur scene and now seizing the opportunity available in NORA racing.

The Iwade track has for decades been the route into the sport for local Kentish riders and one of these is Ashford-based NATHAN HARGRAVE. Hailing from Ashford, Nathan was a member of the Sittingbourne Crusaders side that competed in the MSDL in 2022 and his career kicked on further in 2023, when he was the winner of the Second Half Championship held at the Old Gun Site track.

Marshalling these troops as 2024 Kent Kings captain is Essex-based RHYS NAYLOR. The 30-year-old made his comeback to the sport with Plymouth back in 2022 and was Iwade-based with the Royals last term and now the former GB Youth Champion is given the responsibility of fronting up the new club at the Old Gun Site.

He is looking forward to the challenge, “I’m honoured to captain the Kings this year and will do the best job I possibly can and help out the lads when needed”.

Words and Images by Kent Kings

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Words by Kent Kings – Derek Barclay – Feature Image courtesy Kent Kings

“Kings” was of course the Kent Speedway club’s name throughout their tenure at the nearby (now sadly lost to the sport) Central Park Stadium between 2013 & 2021; but for the two campaigns which followed, it was as ‘Royals’ that a Kent team contested the NDL.

With the decision made not to carry on under SCB jurisdiction, the club will go into action (like the Isle of Wight before them) in 2024, by racing under the NORA (National Off-Road Racing Association) banner in competitions and with opponents which are to be announced later. And it’ll be the ‘Kings’ nickname, along with the iconic Invicta symbol back on the race jackets when they roar back into action.

Taking the helm (after previous promoter Si Kellow decided to step down from the hot seat) will be Steve Ribbons. And it’s a real ‘Back to the Future’ move there also as the Epping-based 57-year-old was actually the man who brought Conference League racing back to Iwade in 2004. Ribbons commented,

“People will know that over the past few years I’ve been working hard to take Speedway back to the track I first attended the sport at (and fell it love with it) back in 1978, Rye House. That battle is still very much going on and I remain 100% committed to bringing the sport back there. As part of keeping the Rye House Speedway name in the consciousness of the public I was badgering Si (Kellow) and Iwade track owner Graham Arnold to run a meeting against a Rockets side.

“So when I heard that Si was stepping down at Sittingbourne/Iwade due to health reasons and no one else seemed to be interested in running the club, I decided to step in rather than see the club close”.

Ribbons went on,

“I feel it is time to put something back into this excellent club – there’s been Speedway at Iwade every year since 1970, making it one of the longest continually-running tracks in Europe and I feel with the right vision rather than stagnating it needs to be driven forward in the coming years. An improved financial base is the key to achieving this and I can offer a sound business sense from my working life and over forty years of acquired knowledge of lower league Speedway.

“The NORA competitions that are going to be happening in 2024 along with other clubs coming on board will offer something different & exciting and give the loyal Kent public something really to enjoy over the forthcoming Speedway season”.

There’s also welcome news that the mid-day tapes-up deployed on Sundays under the previous Royals’ regime the past two seasons is to change in 2024 to a more traditional and customer-friendly 2pm start time. And the first meeting is confirmed for Sunday April 14th.: a full 15-heat challenge match against traditional local rivals, Eastbourne Eagles.

Ribbons has gone even further back in time to come up with an appropriate new club motto for the restored Kings – back in fact to the ancient language of Latin to announce “ex cinere phoenix!”.

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