Kennett fast track to GP date

8:58am Saturday 5th July 2008

Edward Kennett has revealed how he has let his back-up crew take the strain as he sets out on the next step of his Grand Prix ambitions.

The 21-year-old Eastbourne Eagles rider is in action at Motala in Sweden this afternoon as he chases a regular GP spot in next year's series.

Kennett impressed most observers with his efforts in last Saturday's British GP in Cardiff, where he rode as the wild card entry.

That sort of occasion could be a regular thing in his diary if he gets through today's meeting, then finishes in the top three in the qualifying final at Zielona Gora, Poland on September 14.

Hence the need for some rest on the way to Sweden.

Kennett, who misses Eagles' match at home to Coventry in the Elite League tonight (7.30pm), said: "It's an 18-hour drive each way to Motala.

"My dad (Dave) and my mechanic (Chris Geer) went out in the van but I flew out yesterday.

"I've never been to Motala but we had a look at practice.

"l'll give it a go. If I can make five starts I could get five wins.

"I'm looking at the next couple of years to get into the GPs. Next year would be great but I've got time yet."

Kennett has not had chance to watch replays of his efforts at the Millennium Stadium, though he admitted: "I'd like to have a look at it again.

"A lot of people seemed pleased with how I did. I know my family were really happy."

Kennett admits he was disappointed to be left out of Great Britain's opening World Cup qualifying meeting at Coventry, a decision taken by national team manager Jim Lynch before the Cardiff GP.

A good performance today, though, can help clinch his place in the race-off and/or final, both at Vojens in Denmark.

Eagles captain Lee Richardson will tune up for the World Cup by tackling his GP qualifier at Terenzano in Italy, then trekking north by road overnight to race in Poland tomorrow.

Richardson is also out of the Coventry meeting and it now seems almost certain Scott Nicholls will be absent as he recovers from a shoulder injury he suffered in Sweden on Tuesday.

Eagles expect to use rider-replacement for their top scorer, which increases the need for guests Bjarne Pedersen and Adam Shields to be firing if they are to head-off any chance of a third home defeat of the season.

Coventry have brought in their former rider Steve Johnston, now Ipswich skipper, and Henning Bager as guests to complete their line-up tonight.

They operate rider-replacement for Chris Harris and had already hired Freddie Lindgren as a guest.

The Bees are missing injured Billy Janniro plus GP hopefuls Simon Stead and Rory Schlein.

Their injury woes potentially increased last night when Ollie Allen left the action early after falling in a home defeat to Poole.

Nicholls' likely absence means Cameron Woodward will be the senior genuine Eagle in the line-up.

The Aussie raced in Sweden on Thursday, scoring a disappointing 4+1 (5) for Valsarna as they lost 56-40 at home to Ornana in the second-tier Allsvenskan.

Eagles youngster Lewis Bridger was in action at Lakeside last night, guesting for Belle Vue.

He beat home track specialist Leigh Lanham to third place in heat one and then had a spectacular win over Shields and Joonas Kylmakorpi before going off the boil in his later races.

Bridger finished with five points from as many rides as Lakeside were initially forced to work for an eventually comfortable 54-39 success. Jason Crump scored 20 from six heats, including a double points win, for the Aces.

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