King's Lynn rider looking for more opportunities at Adrian Flux Arena

King’s Lynn Stars number eight Jake Mulford is looking for more opportunities to race like he gained at fellow Norfolk speedway rider Lewis Kerr’s Testimonial in March.

The Norwich-based teenager hopes to follow in the footsteps of Dersingham professional Kerr, Great Britain ace Robert Lambert, Jack Thomas and other local riders in forging a career with the Minors & Brady Stars.

Mulford, who turned 18 just before this season began, gained an unexpected lengthy workout when fellow Norwich racer Thomas crashed out early on in the Kerr Testimonial meeting at the Adrian Flux Arena.

He took up all Thomas’s remaining rides for the King’s Lynn side who ended up third behind winners Team Aussie and the All Stars.

“It was really good. I got called the night before to come as a reserve and just some free rides,” said Mulford.

“Then as soon as I got here, unfortunately Jack crashed in his first ride. I then took all the rest (of his rides).

“On a positive side I did get more track time, so yes it was really good. There was a big crowd which is good to see and hopefully the crowd will carry on through the season.”

He has a shared background with Stars and Young Stars riders past and present, being involved with Norwich New Stars which is a youth club which enables all youngsters to experience grasstrack training and racing.

Mulford added: “Josh Bailey, Ryan Kinsley and Jack Thomas, we all kind of started at Norwich New Stars and now we are all here!”

“I’ve come here when I was young and watched all the racing and I was like: I wish I could be part of that; and now I’m slowly getting into it. It is really good to be part of this club now.”

The number eight role is designed to step in when a reserve racer is unable to ride in Premiership clashes, such as through injury.

As Mulford is a Norfolk lad, the situation is ideal for him: “I’ve always lived where I live now. It would be a similar situation to the testimonial: I am kind of the ‘reserve reserve’, that’s kind of it.

“Unfortunately I haven’t been able to sign for anyone else but I do a lot of grasstrack racing every weekend. That will keep me busy at least riding every week.

“I started grasstrack at Norwich New Stars and have slowly come into speedway.”