LEWIS
KERR
It’s been a fantastic start to the 2013 campaign for
Newcastle’s Lewis Kerr. The young man from Kings
Lynn has came into the Premier League and posted
some fantastic scores in his first full season in the
middle tier of British speedway.
It’s a move that almost didn’t happen for Kerr as he had already signed
to share a spot at Premier League rivals Leicester but once everything
was finalised he grabbed the opportunity to race for Newcastle with both
hands. Kerr explains how the move to the north east came about, he said
“I rode in the Somerset Christmas Cracker meeting in February and I had
a good meeting down there. I beat Andrew Tully in one of my heats and
after the meeting he got in touch with me and asked if I had a team place.
“I had a team place with Leicester sharing the number seven slot with
Lewis Blackbird but it was always my aim to have my own team spot.
Once Newcastle found out Jason King wasn’t going to be riding, George
English got in contact and asked if I would be willing to come up and sign.
“As soon as I was offered a full time position in the Premier League I
jumped at the chance. I knew once I had a few meetings under my belt,
riding more regularly that the results would come. At the end of last
season I knew I needed more meetings if I wanted to improve. I have
experience from motocross, which is good because it gives you a basic
bike skill but racing Speedway is so much different. It made things easier
to adapt but I know I still have a lot learn.”
Lewis has been racing for the Kings Lynn Young Stars in the National
League for the last couple of years and doubles-up with them again
this year. With the increased work load Lewis goes on to explain the
difference from riding National League to becoming a full time Speedway
rider in the Premier League. “I’m still using the same engines that I have
been using in the National League in the last couple of years. I need to
get them serviced more regularly and I have spent a lot more money over
the winter on equipment.
“We have to keep on top on everything a lot more, just making sure
clutches are kept up to standard. Racing so much creates wear and tear
on the bike and I have to make sure the equipment is in the best possible
condition. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be winning races.
“I have had more meetings up until June this year, than what I have had
in the whole of last year, so we have to be aware that all the machinery
is up to standard. I have my brother who is a full time mechanic for me
and another mechanic as well, so I have a good team behind me. I think
to make things fun and to work hard you need a good set of guys to work
with. Its worked really well since the start of the season and hopefully
that can continue.
10 // SPEEDWAY365.COM
“I thought I would find the travelling a bit tough, but I have really enjoyed
it. People keep saying to me about going to Newcastle every Sunday
from Kings Lynn but that doesn’t bother me at all. It’s only 4 hours from
where I live so it is ok, we all share the driving so it is good. We have such
a laugh and it can take your mind away from racing. It doesn’t allow you
to get too uptight about things either so I think I have a good set up.”
Racing in two leagues can take its toll on some riders but Kerr seems
to be handling the pressure of travelling the length and breadth of the
country extremely well but there is a different dimension to it. Machine
management plays a major role and every bit of machinery has to be of
the highest standards.
“Planning can be prett H