Speedway ace riding high

Carl Martin achieved a top four finish in the opening round of Sittingbourne Speedway Club's Summer Tournament.

Mother Kim said: "We were jumping up and down. We were thinking it would get him some experience of actual racing and we were only expecting fourths and maybe the odd third (in individual heats) if someone fell off. He did amazingly well for his first time and hopefully he will improve on that during the rest of the season."

The Bexhill High School student, 16, came fourth overall and second in average scoring in the novice category.

To put the achievement into context, it was performed on his first competitive appearance on a 500cc machine and he was up against 15 aspiring riders from far and wide.

Carl had only ridden the bike three times previously in practice, but still managed to record two first places, one second and one third after sliding off and remounting.

The second in the five round series will take place on Sunday and he will be hoping for further success in his quest to earn a place with a Conference League club by the end of the season.

Carl, who has been riding for two-and-a-half years, first came to the attention of Observer Sport in December, last year, when he scooped a Rider of the Year award at the Eastbourne Junior Speedway Club on a 125cc machine.

Anybody interested in sponsoring Carl should contact Kim on 842802.