SPEEDWAY: A big blow ahead of a huge season for Huntingdon racer Danny King
Huntingdon speedway rider Danny King celebrates his British Final success last year. Picture: JEFF DAVIES - Credit: Archant
Huntingdon star Danny King still hopes to make 2017 a year to remember – despite losing his job only days before the start of the new season.
King enjoyed a spectacular 2016 in which he captured the British title for the first time, raced in the British Grand Prix, and helped Great Britain win silver medals in the World Cup final.
The 30 year-old, from Stukeley Meadows, has high hopes of more major success in the coming months.
But those plans took a knock last weekend when it emerged that his SGB Premiership club, Coventry Bees, would not be racing this year due to financial issues and problems with their track which had left them starting the season at an alternative venue.
It leaves King, who only learned of the situation through social media, without a ride in the top-flight.
He will continue to race for Ipswich Witches in the SGB Championship – the second tier of the sport – and hope that another opportunity at the higher level comes up.
King said: “It’s a really important year for me as I try to follow up the success of 2016.
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“Riding in the top league in my country is massively important and it looks like that won’t be happening now – certainly not at the start of the season anyway.
“I’m hugely disappointed about what has happened at Coventry. It’s been up and down all winter.
“First of all it didn’t look good, then they agreed to race at Leicester at the start of the season, now the plug has been pulled altogether.
“It’s a big part of my liveihood gone, but I’m still determined to make 2017 another good year for me.
“All my focus will be on racing for Ipswich and being ready if a chance in the SGB Premiership comes up.
“I’ve loved being British champion and riding for my country, and they are things I want to experience again.
“Hopefully this setback won’t stop me doing that.”
Another Huntingdon-based rider, Danish ace Kenneth Bjerre, has also been caught up in the Coventry fiasco. He was also set to race for the Bees this year.
