Local speedster says team-mates probably don’t need tips on next opponents

King’s Lynn Stars’ first opponents of the 2019 speedway campaign are Ipswich Witches (on Thursday, April 4) and Poole Pirates (Monday, Apr 8) – and popular local rider Lewis Kerr has had spells with both of them.

The Dersingham speedster rode for the Witches in 2016 and the Pirates during the following season.

He says he tries to give tips on their rivals but concedes his team-mates probably don’t need them.

Kerr said: “I try to, but there’s so much experience on that team: they’ve ridden at these tracks.

“There isn’t a particular meeting I’m looking forward to over any other, really. I just do what I can do on the day.

“I’m not able to name every single rider in other teams. It’s going to be tough. It’s Premiership speedway so I don’t think there will be a team who’ll go out and win everything. (Fancied) ones on paper don’t normally do it.”

On Ipswich and fellow East Anglian SGB Premiership league opponents Peterborough, he added: “The derbies are going to be good for the fans and for us, and hopefully they will bring the best out of us.”

The 28-year-old is eager to start after some warm-up events, remarking: “I’ve done three meetings. They have gone really well and set me up for the season.

“I’ve worked really hard over the winter and that has helped my head no end, going into this season, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Kerr was also among a party of a dozen Great Britain riders who spent a recent weekend at Loughborough University in the GB Lions’ first training camp of the year.

It was the first of eight planned get-togethers with experts such as GB performance specialist Chris Neville, a familiar figure who has worked with the Stars.

The GB summit is a relatively new thing for Kerr, who commented: “I think the fitness camps are pretty new.

“I was in the GB squad around 2014 and 2015.

“I went down to Loughborough and did the fitness camp and thought it went really well.

“There were 10 to 12 of us. It was good to see where everyone’s fitness was at and a good thing to be part of.”

Joining Kerr at the camp were the likes of Craig Cook who the Peterborough Panthers have parted company with following a contract dispute – catching the speedway world by surprise.

“I don’t know anything about it, to be honest. I don’t know Craig really well. I talk to him if I see him or at GB camps,” remarked Kerr.

“The first I knew was when it was on social media, and things like that. It’s a shame for both parties.”