Edward Kennett
Encyclopedia
Edward 'Eddie' David Kennett (born 28 August 1986 Hastings
, England
) is a motorcycle speedway
rider. He was the British Under-21 Champion
in 2005 and has appeared in two Speedway Grand Prix
as a wild card
.
Kennett's father Dave, was a motorcycle speedway
rider who rode for the Eastbourne Eagles
, Hackney Hawks
, Newport Wasps
and the White City Rebels
. His uncle Gordon Kennett
represented Great Britain
, and rode for many clubs. Another uncle, Brian (Barney) Kennett, rode mainly in the National League
for the Canterbury Crusaders
during the 1970s and 80s.
with the Rye House Raiders in 2001. He had his first permanent team place with the Raiders in 2002. The same season he made his Premier League
debut for the Rye House Rockets
. In 2004, he joined his local club the Eastbourne Eagles
in the Elite League
. Kennett joined Valsarna speedway, his first team in Sweden 2004. He struggled in his first season and in 2005 he returned to Rye House Rockets in the Premier League.
The 2005 season saw Kennett become the British Under-21 Champion. He also qualified for the World Under-21 final
where he finished in eighth place. The Rockets won the Premier League
and the Premier Trophy
. The Poole Pirates
declared Eddie as their 'Number Eight' (first reserve) in the Elite League
. He finished fifth in the British Speedway Championship
Final and was also selected as a meeting reserve for the British Speedway Grand Prix
held at the Millennium Stadium
in Cardiff
. Kennett decided to stay with Rye House
for the 2006 season in the Premier League
with promoter Len Silver
who had signed his father for Hackney
in 1971.
In 2007, Kennett chose to go back to the Elite League
and signed for the Poole Pirates
. He also finished fourth in the British Speedway Championship
which ensured he would be a track reserve again for the British Speedway Grand Prix
. In September 2007, Kennett was selected to represent Great Britain for the 2007
Under 21-World Cup
Final.
Kennett returned to the Eastbourne Eagles in 2008 and won the Elite League Knockout Cup
. He also finished as runner-up in the British Speedway Championship
to Scott Nicholls
and appeared in the British Grand Prix
as a wild card
.
On 11 August 2011 Kennett resigned from Coventry Speedway, this was because his silencer was deemed 'illegal' when racing against Lakeside on 6 August. Kennett said this was caused by 'a member of his team' who had 'tampered with it'. Kennett was banned from racing for 7 days by the SCB and appeared in front of a disciplinary hearing on 16 August where he received a 6-month worldwide ban.
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is a motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
rider. He was the British Under-21 Champion
British Speedway Under 21 Championship
The British Speedway Under-21 Championship is an annual speedway competition open to riders of British nationality aged at least fifteen on the date of the first meeting, and under twenty-one on 1 January in the year of the competition...
in 2005 and has appeared in two Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
as a wild card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
.
Kennett's father Dave, was a motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
rider who rode for the Eastbourne Eagles
Eastbourne Eagles
The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in...
, Hackney Hawks
Hackney Hawks
Hackney Hawks speedway opened in 1963 at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road, London and operated until 1983.-Early days:Originally opened by Mike Parker, the promotion was then sold to Len Silver who was the club's promoter for the next twenty seasons....
, Newport Wasps
Newport Wasps
Newport Wasps are a British motorcycle speedway team based in Newport, South Wales. They were the 1999 Conference League champions.-History:The Wasp logo incorporates the traditional black and amber colours of the City of Newport...
and the White City Rebels
White City Rebels
The White City Rebels were a motorcycle speedway team who operated from the White City Stadium, Wood Lane in London.White City were inaugural members of the Southern League in 1929. They re-opened in 1976 but the team closed after only three seasons due to poor crowds levels, despite finishing the...
. His uncle Gordon Kennett
Gordon Kennett
Gordon William Kennett is a former motorcycle speedway rider. In 1978 he won the World Pairs Championship with Malcolm Simmons. He also finished runner-up to Ole Olsen in the 1978 Speedway World Championship at Wembley...
represented Great Britain
Great Britain national speedway team
The Great Britain national speedway team are one of the major teams in international speedway. The team is managed by Poole Pirates manager Neil Middleditch and the captain is Chris Harris of the Belle Vue Aces....
, and rode for many clubs. Another uncle, Brian (Barney) Kennett, rode mainly in the National League
Speedway National League
The National League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1932 until 1965 when it became known as the British League. Prior to 1932 there were only small regional leagues competing within the sport in the UK. The National League was re-incarnated in 1975 as the second division...
for the Canterbury Crusaders
Canterbury Crusaders (speedway)
The Canterbury Crusaders were a motorcycle speedway team who operated from the Kingsmead Stadium, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury.In 1977 the promoters Johnnie Hoskins and Wally Mawdsley had to go to court in order to keep the track open after complaints of noise from local residents. However, the team...
during the 1970s and 80s.
Career
Kennett started his racing career in the Conference LeagueSpeedway Conference League
The Conference League was the third and lowest division of motorcycle speedway racing in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The other leagues being the Elite League and Premier League. The League consisted of...
with the Rye House Raiders in 2001. He had his first permanent team place with the Raiders in 2002. The same season he made his Premier League
Speedway Premier League
The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division...
debut for the Rye House Rockets
Rye House Rockets
The Rye House Rockets are a Speedway team based at Rye House Stadium, Hoddesdon, England. They currently compete in the British Premier League.The club is promoted by Len Silver who previously ran the Hackney Hawks promotion at Hackney Wick Stadium....
. In 2004, he joined his local club the Eastbourne Eagles
Eastbourne Eagles
The Eastbourne Eagles are a British speedway team based near Eastbourne, England who compete in the British Elite League. They became Elite League Champions in 2000. They were also Elite League Knockout Cup winners in 2002 and again in 2008. Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in...
in the Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
. Kennett joined Valsarna speedway, his first team in Sweden 2004. He struggled in his first season and in 2005 he returned to Rye House Rockets in the Premier League.
The 2005 season saw Kennett become the British Under-21 Champion. He also qualified for the World Under-21 final
Individual Speedway Junior World Championship
The Individual Speedway Junior World Championship is an annual speedway event held each year organized by the International Motorcycling Federation since 1977...
where he finished in eighth place. The Rockets won the Premier League
Speedway Premier League
The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division...
and the Premier Trophy
Speedway Premier Trophy
The Premier Trophy is a contest between teams competing in the Speedway Premier League in the UK. The first competition was held in 1999. The competition is usually run before the Premier League starts in April and May. The finals are usually contested in June/July...
. The Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League...
declared Eddie as their 'Number Eight' (first reserve) in the Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
. He finished fifth in the British Speedway Championship
British Speedway Championship
The British Speedway Championship is an annual motorcycle speedway competition open to British national speedway riders. The winner of the event becomes the British Speedway Champion. It has been open in the past to riders from British dominions and was dominated in its early years by riders from...
Final and was also selected as a meeting reserve for the British Speedway Grand Prix
2005 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2005 Speedway Grand Prix season is the 11th season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :...
held at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. Kennett decided to stay with Rye House
Rye House Rockets
The Rye House Rockets are a Speedway team based at Rye House Stadium, Hoddesdon, England. They currently compete in the British Premier League.The club is promoted by Len Silver who previously ran the Hackney Hawks promotion at Hackney Wick Stadium....
for the 2006 season in the Premier League
Speedway Premier League
The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division...
with promoter Len Silver
Len Silver
Len Silver is a former speedway rider and is currently promoter of the Rye House Rockets.-Racing career:Silver stopped racing in 1957 but returned to the Ipswich Witches in 1960 after a layoff due to injury...
who had signed his father for Hackney
Hackney Hawks
Hackney Hawks speedway opened in 1963 at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road, London and operated until 1983.-Early days:Originally opened by Mike Parker, the promotion was then sold to Len Silver who was the club's promoter for the next twenty seasons....
in 1971.
In 2007, Kennett chose to go back to the Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
and signed for the Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League...
. He also finished fourth in the British Speedway Championship
British Speedway Championship
The British Speedway Championship is an annual motorcycle speedway competition open to British national speedway riders. The winner of the event becomes the British Speedway Champion. It has been open in the past to riders from British dominions and was dominated in its early years by riders from...
which ensured he would be a track reserve again for the British Speedway Grand Prix
2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain
The 2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain was the fifth race of the 2007 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on 30th June in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, United Kingdom.- Starting positions draw :...
. In September 2007, Kennett was selected to represent Great Britain for the 2007
2007 Team Speedway Junior World Championship
The 2007 Team Speedway Junior World Championship is the 3rd FIM Team Speedway Junior World Championship season. The Final took place on September 23rd 2007 in Abensberg, Germany....
Under 21-World Cup
Team Speedway Junior World Championship
The Team Speedway Junior World Championship is an annual speedway event held each year in different countries . The first edition of the competition was in 2005. Current World Champions are Russia team, who won in 2011 Final...
Final.
Kennett returned to the Eastbourne Eagles in 2008 and won the Elite League Knockout Cup
Elite League Knockout Cup
The Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
. He also finished as runner-up in the British Speedway Championship
British Speedway Championship
The British Speedway Championship is an annual motorcycle speedway competition open to British national speedway riders. The winner of the event becomes the British Speedway Champion. It has been open in the past to riders from British dominions and was dominated in its early years by riders from...
to Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls
Scott Nicholls is a British speedway rider who is participating in the 2009 Speedway Grand Prix competition and is the captain of the Great Britain speedway team.- Career biography :...
and appeared in the British Grand Prix
2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain
The 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain was the fifth race of the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on 28 June, in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. The British Grand Prix is one of the four Super Prix events held in 2008...
as a wild card
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
.
On 11 August 2011 Kennett resigned from Coventry Speedway, this was because his silencer was deemed 'illegal' when racing against Lakeside on 6 August. Kennett said this was caused by 'a member of his team' who had 'tampered with it'. Kennett was banned from racing for 7 days by the SCB and appeared in front of a disciplinary hearing on 16 August where he received a 6-month worldwide ban.
Speedway Grand Prix results
World U-21 Championship
- 20052005 Individual Speedway Junior World Championship-World final:*September 17, 2005 Wiener Neustadt, OAMTC Zweigverein* only 12 heats*order:**1-2 place: coin flipping, because Suchánek to not agree to do race-off heat**3-4 place: Lindgren have two "3"; Hlib only one "3"...
-
Austria Wiener NeustadtWiener Neustadt-Main sights:* The Late-Romanesque Dom, consecrated in 1279 and cathedral from 1469 to 1785. The choir and transept, in Gothic style, are from the 14th century. In the late 15th century 12 statues of the Apostles were added in the apse, while the bust of Cardinal Melchior Klesl is attributed to...
- 8th - 4pts - 20072007 Individual Speedway Junior World ChampionshipFinal standing:# Emil Saifutdinov # Chris Holder # Paweł Hlib -Calendar:-Herxheim:*Qualifying round 1*April 22, 2007 Herxheim*Referee: Niels M...
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Poland Ostrów Wlkp.Ostrów WielkopolskiOstrów Wielkopolski is a town in central Poland with 72,360 inhabitants , situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship; the seat of Ostrów Wielkopolski County.-History:Recently, a small fortified dwelling dating from the 10th century was discovered on the north-east side of...
- 11th - 5pts
U-21 World Cup
- 20052005 Team Speedway Junior World ChampionshipThe 2005 Team Speedway Junior World Championship was the 1st FIM Team Speedway Junior World Championship season. The Final took place on October 1st 2005 in Pardubice, Czech Republic. World Championship was won by Poland team.- Calendar :...
- 10th place (4 pts in Semi-Final A)