LAKESIDE Hammers have been awarded the match and Coventry Bees’ star Edward Kennett suspended after he was found to have cheated by using an illegal silencer in Saturday’s match at the Arena Raceway.
Coventry won the meeting 48-42 but all the points scored by Kennett, and Nick Morris whose used his bike for one race, were deducted from the final score, giving Lakeside a 42-30 win.
The controversy began in heat seven when concerns were raised about Kennett’s machine following observations made by the Speedway Control Board machine examiner and relayed to the referee.
As the referee was unwilling and unable to stop the meeting to address the complaint at that time the protest was consequently dealt with at the end of the meeting at which time the Bees too decided to make an official protest about the silencers of three of the Hammers bikes.
At the conclusion of the meeting six silencers were handed into the custody of a nominated SCB Official, who on Sunday, this morning, in the presence of a representative of both Lakeside and Coventry had these examined by David King, the manufacturer of King Silencers.
One silencer, that belonging to Edward Kennett was found to have been tampered with and therefore used illegally.
Kennett has since been charged with non-compliance of the 2011 Speedway Regulations and a date for a disciplinary hearing is being arranged. He has been suspended from racing and slammed by management of the Bees.
They released a statement saying: “Following the SCB disciplinary hearing, the club will be taking its own internal action against Edward Kennett if necessary, and we can also confirm that the captaincy will pass to Ryan Fisher with immediate effect.
”Coventry Speedway has a long and proud history, and under no circumstances does the club condone cheating of any kind, whether that relates to race fixing or machine tampering.
”The club are shocked and disappointed by the actions of their captain, and would like to stress that no member of the Coventry management had any knowledge of Edward Kennett’s silencer tampering.
”We would like to re-assure all speedway supporters that the management are as appalled by his actions as any fair-minded supporter would be.
”Coventry wish to express sincere apologies to British Speedway, its supporters, and in particular the supporters of Coventry and Lakeside who attended the meeting on Saturday, for this unacceptable misdemeanour.
”We would also like to thank the licenced officials at Lakeside for bringing the matter to the referee’s attention, and for dealing with it in a professional manner.”
A statement from the Hammers said: “We wish to place on record their thanks to the SCB for the swift and forthright manner in which this weekend’s events have been dealt with and to also thank the SCB Licenced Officers involved for their professionalism.
“The gaining of three League points in these circumstances is not something to overly celebrate and we will be making further Press Releases midweek addressing the lack of form shown by the team on Saturday night and plans for the next three weeks to keep our Play Off hopes alive.
“In closing we wish to record our thanks to the Management of Coventry Speedway for both their direct personal contact and commendable Official Statement. The two clubs have always enjoyed a warm relationship and we feel sure that this will continue.”