DREW’S BACK iN BRITAIN BIG TIME!

Having been ignored by all UK clubs at the beginning of the season and left to find employment in Poland, a break in his Polish commitments saw Drew sign with two UK teams. Initially signed on a 28 day contract with Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Championship, he has now agreed to join the Scorpions for the remainder of the season. Scunthorpe Promoter Rob Godfrey said, “My number one target in the first place was Drew Kemp but he was riding in Poland and couldn’t do it. I think he’s going to be the catalyst to us winning all the aggregate points and getting some more away points as well.” Following impressive performances for the Scorpions, Drew was booked to ride as a guest for Leicester Lions in the Premiership against Ipswich. Leicester Team Manager Stuart Dickson immediately spoke to Drew about a full time place with the Lions, Dickson said “Drew rode well against Ipswich and I was mindful that he scored 12+2 against us for Poole last year. I considered the situation with Drew after the meeting and whilst it may appear harsh on Dan Thompson, the bottom line is that it’s my job to put out what I believe to be the strongest Leicester team I can.” In less than ten days of making his 2023 debut in British Speedway, Drew secured team places at clubs challenging for honours in both the Premiership and Championship leagues.

RACING FOR METALIKA RECYCLING KOLEJARZ RAWICZ

Drew Kemp is part of the Kolejarz Rawicz speedway team in 2023, riding in the Polish League Division Two. Kolejarz Rawicz (Railwayman Rawicz) were formed in 1949 and based in Rawicz, Poland. They race at the Florian Kapała Stadium, named after former rider Florian Kapała, a stadium with a capacity of 7,000 and a track length of 330 metres long (closest in length to Peterborough in the UK at 336 metres). The club's first honour was winning the bronze medal in the Polish Championship in 1954 and the following season they went one better with the silver medal in 1955. The club was disbanded after the 1959 season and not reformed until 1996. The club later won the Polish League Division Two three times in 2000, 2007 and 2012. Drew is joined at Rawicz by fellow Brit and seven times British Champion Scott Nicholls.

PHOTOGRAPHY THANKS TO STEVE HONE, JEFF HIGGOTT, TAYLOR LANNING, ANDY GARNER, DAVE PAYNE, IAN GROVES (SPORTOGRAPHY), JOHN GALL, STEPHEN WALLER, IAN CHARLES, STEVE FEENEY, TIFFANI GRAVELING, CHRIS SIMPSON, MIKE HINVES, MARK HALL, PHIL McGLYNN, PAUL ROSE