Hammers v The Royals – The Tunnel Trophy

April 10, 2022

After a gap of 546 days, the Hammers will get back on track next Sunday the 17^th April when we take on the Kent Royals, at their new Iwade base in the latest edition of the Tunnel Trophy. (Gates 10.30am – first race midday)

Technically, the Hammers go into the meeting as the current holders of the Trophy following a narrow 1-point win in 2019 against the Kent Kings in the last running of the fixture.

The victorious Hammers team that day included Ben Morley, Alfie Bowtell and Danno Verge so the fact that those three riders are now key members of the 2022 Royals means that we know that we’re up against it this time around.

We’re forced but delighted therefore, to invite some fresh faces into the Hammers family this time around and to comply with this season’s NDL team limit of 40 points, our line-up is as follows:

Riding at number 1, will be Redcar and Oxford’s rising star, Jordan Jenkins (ave 9.56) , who despite being just 20, has been a top NDL heat leader for a couple of years now. Tom Spencer (5.53) has emerged as a very consistent performer with the Leicester Lion Cubs and 2022 looks likely to be a season of further development.

Two former graduates of the Hagon Shocks Academy which was housed at the old Lakeside track at the Arena Essex will fill the engine room of the side – Nathan Ablitt (Belle Vue Colts and Poole Pirates 6.29) and Sam Hagon (Oxford 5.75) are riders that many Hammers fans have watched develop with enormous interest and it will be fascinating to watch them throughout the upcoming season.

The third rider in the team with substantial links to the old Lakeside promotion is the returning Jack Kingston (4.44) who is currently unattached, but his return to the shale today will probably be of interest to other National League clubs.

Our two 15-year-old reserves are two of the hardest working and exciting young riders on the scene – Ben Trigger (3.57) and Vinnie Foord (3.00) and their scrap for points will have fans on the edge of their seats at every meeting they contest.

Guest of Honour.

We are also delighted to announce that our Honorary Club President and Hammers Legend Andrew Silver and his wife Mia will be our guests for the clash against The Royals.

Operations Director Russell Keetch stated “Andrew has always been so supportive of our efforts to bring speedway back to Thurrock and has unconditionally offered his assistance to the cause and it is an honour to have both he and Mia joining us on Easter Sunday.

He will obviously be on hand for any advice to the team on the day and I’m sure his presence alone will give the team an extra boost.”

Devines Accountants: Match Day Sponsor

We are also pleased to announce the continued support and Match day sponsorship of Clive Purdy, Managing Director of Devines Accountants Ltd and also welcome him and family as special guests for the meeting.

Russell said “Mark and I know Clive personally and he has always supported and sponsored the Thurrock Hammers since we established the company back in 2019.

This will be his first “live” meeting of the Hammers and he and his family are looking forward to the day. We would like to thank Devines for their continued support of the Hammers, along with our other fantastic sponsors.”

Merchandise:

The Hammers riders will also be sporting some of our new merchandise in the form of team hoodies for this meeting. They will be on show pre-meeting and upon the track walk as we look to promote a positive team ethos in our venture to retain the Tunnel Trophy.

Russell further stated “These hoodies will be the first of a planned merchandise range going forward. They are of an exceptional quality with embroidered logos rather than printed ones for longevity. Images and details of the hoodies will be released after the meeting with all proceeds from merchandise sales used to help fund Hammers meetings going forward.

Full Race Day information.

Sittingbourne Speedway, The Old Gun Site, Raspberry Hill Lane, Sittingbourne ME9 8SN. Full travel details are available here:

Gates 10.30am – Tapes up 12 midday,

The Royals v The Hammers

Teams:

250cc Champion Head to head racing will follow the Tunnel Trophy,

Tickets pay at the gate: Admission details are available here

Parking

Parking is available on site. If you are a blue badge holder and require disabled parking, please email tickets@kentroyals.co.uk so that they can reserve you a space.

Image credits: Our thanks to Steve Hone, Mark Hall, Ian Charles, Kevin Whiting and Colin Poole for use of their fantastic imagery.