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Kent Kings 2020?


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Just now, eaglesno1 said:

It is in the press release that hasn't been put up on the Kent website yet but has been put on their supporters group on Facebook.

Oh dear. What a waste of the points limit. Must be a budget cost cutting measure.

Sorry for the disrespect Kent fans but Rob Ledwith on a 4.00 is a ridiculous signing. 

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Here is the full post.

News that Dan Gilkes is back with us in 2020 for the SGBC campaign plus some important announcements (of, er, announcements to come!) from Len are in this latest PR which follows:

DAN'S THE MAN FOR THE KINGS!

Kent TouchTec Kings are revealing the riders to fill their three remaining team slots for their inaugural SGB Championship [SGBC] season in 2020 this weekend – with the first name being one very familiar and even more popular among the Central Park Speedway-going public, it’s the titanic teenager who was the find of the National League [NL] last campaign, Dan Gilkes,

Having risen up from a starting average of 2.00 and not having ridden a single competitive senior match before the start of last season, the youngster from Northampton rose up to heat leader level with an average in the NL of 8.00 – a brilliant effort of quadrupling his starting figures.

A delighted Gilkes, who certainly has a very mature head on his 17-year-old shoulders posted a video on his own social media platforms to declare,

“I am delighted to say I will be stepping up to the SGB Championship with Kent in 2020!

“My first season with the TouchTec Kings in the NL was incredible. The promotion, track staff and importantly the supporters made me feel so welcome and everyone was incredibly supportive of me. It will be a challenging year ahead with lots of learning. But one that with the continued support I am sure, it will be another fantastic opportunity for me and the team to progress together.

“To learn from Scott Nicholls was something that does not come to you every day. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn, gain knowledge and experience from the seven-time British Champion and ex Grand Prix rider.”

Co-promoter Len Silver spelt out the way the team building has been going, as he expressed delight at getting Gilkes’ signature for another year at Central Park,

“Chris and I have been very busy over the last month or so, and in particular since the day we were officially accepted into the SGBC, in finding riders who wanted to ride for the TouchTec Kings. I can now reveal that we have agreements with all seven riders to wear the Touch-Tec body colours for 2020 and part of that successful and short series of negotiations is due to the help we received from our new No 1, Scott Nicholls, and I am very grateful for that."

The veteran supremo went on,

“The next signing for the 2020 season, I can tell you, is a very popular returnee from our NL side last season, Dan Gilkes, Dan is picked in what will be his first season at this higher level because of his huge potential. He is investing in a new engine and clutch and, interestingly, Scott has asked that Dan be placed next to him in the pits. That news was greeted with delight from the Gilkes family (and me!)."

And tantalisingly he went on,

“There are now two names still to be placed in the public arena which, with the individual agreements of the riders themselves, these two will be disclosed over this week-end. I am personally delighted at the seven who have chosen us. I hope all our loyal supporters are too.”

Finally, Silver had further updates concerning the club’s plans for 2020,

“The NL promoters’ meeting was adjourned without any final decisions being made earlier this week and there will be another meeting in December. However, if the numbers and format remain as being suggested (showing a probable seven teams), then Kent will be part of it.

“On the team building front for the SGBC, Rob Ledwith has been allocated a 4.00-point average by the BSPA in consideration of his previous history at second tier level and that It is expected that Ledwith and Gilkes will fill the 6 & 7 positions.”

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1 hour ago, poolebolton said:

Good to see Kent and Somerset competing for worst Social Media in the league. 

Alright then a challenge to you - you find me ANY club in ANY league that's posted MORE news items on their website (and therefore also on the Official FB page) than Kent Kings in the past two seasons.  If you can do it the beers are on me when you visit Central Park.
Maybe gets at least some facts straight in your end before posting moronic nonsense like this..?

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9 minutes ago, Parsloes 1928 nearly said:

Alright then a challenge to you - you find me ANY club in ANY league that's posted MORE news items on their website (and therefore also on the Official FB page) than Kent Kings in the past two seasons.  If you can do it the beers are on me when you visit Central Park.
Maybe gets at least some facts straight in your end before posting moronic nonsense like this..?

You don’t post signings on twitter up to date. You don’t post anymore on you’re website than any other club. For example since November Poole have even posted more on website than Kent have. And have announced 3 less riders. 

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18 minutes ago, poolebolton said:

You don’t post signings on twitter up to date. You don’t post anymore on you’re website than any other club. For example since November Poole have even posted more on website than Kent have. And have announced 3 less riders. 

We can use the word "your" correctly though...
 

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55 minutes ago, poolebolton said:

Ok, well with 14.37. 
 

Starke on 6.33 and BWD on 8. (The BSPA bumped him up last year for not riding champ). 
 

So on reflection Kent have in essence built to 37 with BWD and Big Rob getting an extra 2 points each. 

Not sure what your comment (bold) means. However, Bradley’s 2020 CL average will be 8.75 (5.47 PL converted at 1.6). 

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17 minutes ago, poolebolton said:

Cool. Just saying if speedway wants to Survive it’s pretty amateur. 

I assume you are saying that unless the so called social media are used to their utmost, then the sport will not survive.

I cannot possibly agree with that sentiment. What actually MATTERS is the level of entertainment supplied  THAT is what

brings people through the turnstiles...and that information gets the best possible use when it is spread by actual word of mouth,

verbally one person to another.  I do not think any new person has ever attended because of something read on social media.

Almost everyone I know, and certainly myself ( in 1946) first came to Speedway because a friend recommended it. That situation

has never changed over the years.

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12 minutes ago, East End Fan said:

I assume you are saying that unless the so called social media are used to their utmost, then the sport will not survive.

I cannot possibly agree with that sentiment. What actually MATTERS is the level of entertainment supplied  THAT is what

brings people through the turnstiles...and that information gets the best possible use when it is spread by actual word of mouth,

verbally one person to another.  I do not think any new person has ever attended because of something read on social media.

Almost everyone I know, and certainly myself ( in 1946) first came to Speedway because a friend recommended it. That situation

has never changed over the years.

As a 21-year-old we consume sport through social media. For example, the NBA has grown so much because you can see highlights on all social media. If you want to grow the sport you need a new generation of fans and social media is a great way of doing that. Social media might get them through the gate for one meeting and then who knows what could happen. 

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8 minutes ago, NeilWatson said:

Do tell more - Bradley was in my Peterborough team in 2018 and we had no issue with his average.

He was told for not riding champ last year. His average was therefore increased to 8. Which I don’t really understand because it doesn’t fit 1.6. But that’s what he was told. 

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6 minutes ago, poolebolton said:

He was told for not riding champ last year. His average was therefore increased to 8. Which I don’t really understand because it doesn’t fit 1.6. But that’s what he was told. 

Bradley did ride in the Championship last year (2018), when the conversion factor was 1.5.

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