KINGS SIGN BATCHELOR

KENT have pulled off the signing of Australian star Troy Batchelor who will come in as the club’s new No.1.

Batchelor goes into the Championship on an 11.09 average and will team up with Scott Nicholls at the head of the side.

With both Paul Hurry and Tom Bacon having retired during the season, the Kings’ new-look line-up is completed by the promotion of youngster Jake Mulford into senior racing for the first time – and he will be assisted by Hurry in the pits.

Promoter Len Silver said: “Following the news of Paul’s retirement comes the flip side of the coin. The event has enabled us to conclude a deal, approved by the BSPL, which brings Troy to the Kings.

“We believe that with two of Britain’s best youngsters in Dan (Gilkes) and Jake at the bottom end of the team and Troy and Scott at the top, both pushed all the way by the very in-form Paul (Starke) and Troy’s fellow Aussie Cameron (Heeps), and with Ben now really finding his feet at this level, our team suddenly moves into the tougher section of the league and able to give anyone a good a good match.”