Tuesday is poised to be one of the greatest days in the eight year history of Kent Speedway with the new-look TouchTec Kings taking on Eastbourne Eagles in a crucial SGB Championship match (6.30pm start time).

For the hosts it’s a first exciting chapter in the ‘Troy Story’ involving their new number one, Australian World Cup international, Troy Batchelor.  The 2019 Premiership winner with Swindon comes in on an 11-points plus average and helps to form what looks now like one of the most potent top fours in the second tier, linking up with skipper Scott Nicholls, Batchelor’s fellow Aussie international Cameron Heeps and the in-form Paul Starke. 

The Kings’ all time record points scorer Ben Morley completes the 1 to 5 with probably the most exciting teenaged reserve pairing in the sport currently, in Jake Mulford (for whom this is a full home debut at this level and GB Under 21 bronze medal winner, Dan Gilkes.

The two riders who filled the other two steps on the rostrum in that national U21 Final up at Redcar last month, former Kings’ man, Drew Kemp and winner Tom Brennan are in the opposition’s ranks – in what is an all-British line up.  Edward Kennett took a while to get going in the Cup tie at Central Park just two weeks ago but then really got in the groove, including an incredible race with Scott Nicholls; and along with former Lakeside Hammer Richard Lawson and the fast-recovering from an injury set back, Lewis Kerr there’s a strong heat leader trio for the hosts to contend with.

Kyle Newman had a painful visit the week before last, dislocating his shoulder in a first race crash and later having to withdraw – but the former Poole rider is fit to return.  So the only change in the Eagles’ ranks from the 49-40  defeat last month is a second former Kings’ rider from their 2019 National Trophy winning side, teenager Nathan Ablitt who has somewhat surprisingly replaced Jason Edwards at reserve.  Ablitt has already made a 12 points contribution on a visit back to his home track this year when riding (also at reserve) for the Arlington-based junior side, the Seagulls in the 2021 season opener at Central Park – so he is also someone the hosts need to keep an eye on.

But principally it’ll be the eyes of what’s sure to be a bumper crowd on the TouchTec Kings, for whom an SGB Championship comeback begins here.  Gates open at 5pm with fans encouraged to get there early for this match of the season so far.