The announcement last weekend that former world number two speedway rider Gordon Kennett was planning to race competitively again at Ryde’s Smallbrook Stadium has set the internet speedway forums buzzing with both intrigue and excitement especially from fans of Oxford and Eastbourne who are keen to know more of their former hero’s plans.
Gordon said, " I can’t quite believe the amount of interest that has been generated by my agreeing to ride in the Upright Championship on the Isle of Wight. People who know me will have seen me out from time to time taking in a practice or two and having had such a great reception when visiting the Island as team manager for Oxford last year it was too good an opportunity to miss. Smallbrook is a track that I have never ridden before so now I can put that right. Helping in just a small way to get Oxford back on track has been fantastic and now to be involved with a new championship is brilliant. The Championship Co-Ordinator Lee Coleman's doing great work to make this a special event and now I can’t wait to ride and have fun and look forward to seeing speedway fans once more from the track."
Championship Co-ordinator Lee Coleman added, "Gordon Kennett confirming his entry to the NORA British Upright Championship is superb. I grew up during the 70’s and 80’s with Gordon being one of the stars during a boom period of the sport. The World Final in 1978 at a packed Wembley is one of my most watched meetings on YouTube and obviously starred Gordon on his way to becoming World number 2. I had to pinch myself a few years ago when I shared the track with him during the Veteran Championship at Lydd, but Gordon supporting the events on the Island this year by entering the Upright Championship has topped that. August 11th can’t come soon enough."
The image shows Kennett already practicing for the NORA Upright Championship.