Edward Kennett has revealed how his British Final feats sparked a double family celebration back home in East Sussex.

The Eastbourne Eagles rider finished second in the national championship decider on Thursday night.

As a result he booked himself the vacant berth to ride before a 40,000-plus crowd in the British Grand Prix at the magnificent Millennium Stadium.

Kennett was beaten in the final only by Eastbourne colleague Scott Nicholls, with whom he lines up at home to Peterborough Panthers in Elite League action tonight (7.30).

However by the time their boy crossed the line, the Kennetts were already celebrating.

Seven family members were enjoying dinner at the Rose Cottage Inn in Alciston, just a few minutes from Arlington Stadium, as part of 73rd birthday celebrations for Kennett's grandfather Don.

Things got even better when they heard what was going on at the Abbey Stadium.

Among those keen to know what was happening at Swindon was Kennett's dad Dave, the former Eastbourne rider.

Kennett's sister Eloise said: "We were following every race.

"We were getting updates from all directions. We knew he was in the semi and we had finished our meal so we were just waiting for news.

"We were sitting in the pub and we told people if they heard a lot of noise from our table they would know he had gone through.

"There were calls coming from everywhere, especially for my dad. It didn't stop all evening once we knew he had come second.

"We're hoping to go to Cardiff. Dad will definitely go."

Kennett's girlfriend Jade was at the meeting and kept the family informed.

The Cardiff GP is one of the most glamourous events on the speedway calendar and Kennett has been tantalisingly close to playing a full part, having been reserve at the track three times.

That means getting changed and prepared, going on parade and then waiting, usually in vain, for a ride.

He missed out on the wild card last year after finishing behind David Howe, who had home track advantage in the final decider at Wolverhampton.

Ironically, the 21-year-old Hastings-born rider got the point he needed to make the semis this time by beating Howe in his final heat.

There was a touch of irony too in the identity of the unsung hero who got Kennett all powered up for the semi, which he won, and the final, in which he finished ahead of rising star Tai Woffinden and outgoing British champion Chris Harris.

Kennett was in good shape for those races after some quick work in mid-meeting by his engine tuner Craig Boyce, who was once a villain of Eastbourne after coming to blows with former Eagles skipper Nicki Pedersen in a match against Poole.

Kennett said: "We made some big changes and they worked.

"My pit crew were fantastic. That includes my mechanic Chris Geer and Gary Robins who helped out as well. It was a great night."

Eagles hope fans give Nicholls, Kennett and Lewis Bridger, who has reached the world under-21 semis since his club's last meeting, a warm welcome back to Arlington for the clash against the Panthers.

Eastbourne desperately need a win after suffering four defeats in the space of six nights, then going two weeks without a match.

Their opponents have made a late change at reserve, where Henrik Moller has left the club and been replaced by highly-rated young Aussie Ty Proctor.

Proctor and his fellow reserve Ryan Fisher, who is guesting for the unavailable Morten Risager, both rode in Edinburgh last night and face a long trek to the East Sussex circuit.

Kennett guested for Wolverhampton at Coventry last night and won his only race as stand-in for injured GP rider Niels-Kristian Iversen before the meeting was abandoned due to a power cut.

He gets another outing for Wolves on Monday when they face Swindon in a televised clash at Monmore Green.