Kent TouchTec Kings' talented brigade of teens hope to come to the fore nationally and internationally in two Under 19 Speedway championship events being held over the next week.
Firstly Drew Kemp is heading over to Germany on Friday (9th. August) to represent the UK in the semi final of the FIM European Under 19 championship.
GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher who will be at the Gustrow Speedway track in northern Germany with Kemp commented,
"This is yet another fantastic opportunity for Drew and for Jason Edwards, riding on the same day in the other semi final in Pardubice in Czechia, to gain some valuable experience not only racing on Continental tracks but riding against the best of their age group from across Europe."
Both 16 year olds, Kemp and Mildenhall's Edwards will be gunning for a top seven finish in their respective Semi Final and therefore qualify for the Final itself that takes place just two days later on Sunday at Zarnovica in Slovakia.
Vatcher went on., "I am delighted that both boys are taking this opportunity, and I really believe that both Drew & Jason have a great chance of challenging for a European title and we have a real exciting weekend coming up."
Meanwhile for this most exciting of age ranges in the sport currently, it's the big day nationally on Thursday August 15th. with the staging of the GB U19 Final.
The meeting is being held at Redcar Speedway and it's notable that whilst several former British Youth champions are in the field (including Kemp who took the 500cc national title for U16s in 2017) none have yet taken U19 honours, so a new Champion will be crowned at the Media Prima Arena on Teesside.
And there are four other Kent TouchTec Kings riders joining Kemp in the Final: the current stand-in skipper, Jordan Jenkins; the rider actually remarkably currently keeping Kemp out of his National League club number one slot, Anders Rowe; the in-form Dan Gilkes; and looking to be recovered from his shoulder injury in time to compete, Alex Spooner.
Of the meeting on next Thursday, Vatcher commented, “The Young Lions Management would like to thank the promotion at Redcar Speedway for agreeing to host this British Final, and with the South tees Motor Park circuit being a fantastic venue, this will be a great event.”
Riders in draw order:
1 Charlie Brooks (Mildenhall), 2 Jordan Palin (Belle Vue Colts), 3 Henry Atkins (Mildenhall), 4 Matt Marson (Mildenhall), 5 Jason Edwards (Mildenhall), 6 Chad Wirtzfeld (Isle of Wight), 7 Dan Gilkes (Kent TouchTec Kings), 8 Kyle Bickley (Belle Vue Colts), 9 Sheldon Davies (Cradley), 10 Drew Kemp (Kent TouchTec Kings), 11 Alex Spooner (Kent TouchTec Kings), 12 Connor Bailey (Belle Vue Colts), 13 Jordan Jenkins (Kent TouchTec Kings), 14 Tom Spencer (cradley), 15 Leon Flint (Belle Vue Colts), 16 Anders Rowe (Kent TouchTec Kings). Reserve: Elliot Kelly (Mildenhall).