DREW KEMP – HE WINS THINGS

The great thing about Drew Kemp is that he wins things.

I first saw him ride at Ipswich late in 2017, just after he had come to notice by winning the 500cc British Youth Championship. Tidy style, I thought. One to watch.

Since then, I’ve watched as Drew’s been crowned British U-19 Champion a record-breaking THREE times (Tai Woffinden had previously won that one only twice) and while individual honours are nice to have on the mantelpiece, he’s also been pretty successful in a short career as a team member, too…..

He was in the NDL Trophy-winning teams with Mildenhall (2018) and at Kent the following season, as well as taking the top step (with partner Anders Rowe) in the 2019 NDL Pairs.

Moving on up to our Championship, Drew was still helping his teams bring home the bacon. He was at Poole when they achieved the League/KO Cup double in 2022, and with Scunthorpe the following season as the Scorps lifted the KO Cup.

Like I said, Drew Kemp wins things.

So what went wrong this past year?

Leaving the Border Trophy on top of the piano, our Jewson Bandits – despite Mr Kemp – didn’t win too much, did we?

But Drew did continue his winning ways – even if there was a lack of silverware, he was winning hearts and minds up here, taking the fastest time of the season as we beat Edinburgh in August and rattling up an increasing series of race victories as he “grew into” the business of being a Bandit.

That he would be invited back to be a Bandit again in 2025 was obvious – announcing him early was about the smartest piece of marketing since the knickerless can-can – and that he has accepted our offer is delightful!

In 2025, Drew Kemp will be ready to resume winning. He’s not a kid any more but not yet old, in the centre of life, full of accumulated confidence, competence and capability all wrapped up in experience.

I’m happy with his name on our team-sheet for ’25. Now, who’s gonna be next?

In parallel, who’s gonna be next to sign up for a number, perhaps even a second number, in our ongoing 5-1 Draw?

Firmly and enthusiastically administered by the Bandits’ Supporters Club on behalf of the promotion, I shouldn’t have to remind you how much the 5-1 means to the continuation of speedway in Berwick-on-Tweed.

Since 2019, when the promotion came up with the plan and handed it over to the supporters to oversee, well over £50K has been added to the STARS fund – and make no mistake, if it wasn’t for that money, and the promise of a regular cashflow in times to come, we might not have a speedway. Think about it.

Now, having thunk, call or text Norman on 07751-985702 and put yourself in line for a cool £500 at the end of next week……….

Another wee thing I wondered about – if you’re in the mood to spend some more money — is the old race-jacket from Cowdenbeath – 60 years ago! – that was last worn in a competitive meeting by former Bandit idol Roy Williams (aka Bernie Lagrosse).

It is possibly unique — the No 4 jacket from a long-lost set of only seven Fife Lions bibs ever made — and it could be yours, or a collector you know may want to know about it…….

As I mentioned in my column in ‘Speedway Star’ magazine last week, I’ve had this race-jacket at home, in my cupboard, since that far-off-in-the-distant-past last meeting up at Central Park all those years ago, and I’m thinking it might be of greater interest to any collector-enthusiasts out there who may want to offer a bid to get out of my cupboard?

Currently, we’re offered £210 – the dough will go to the SRBF – but I am hoping there might be a better offer …..

Let me know at the e-mail address below, and maybe we can do some business – and some good for injured riders. Lord knows, we’ve had more than our share of those in recent seasons……

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Want to disagree with Dick (as so many do)? He is always happy to hear from interesting people on dick@crystalfm.co.uk