Kerr vows to keep his GB place

Images Courtesy of Taylor Lanning Photography

The courageous King’s Lynn star made his national team debut in the Global Challenge Series win over Denmark at the Adrian Flux Arena late last October. Kerr, who made a miraculous recovery from near-death injuries in a crash five years ago, is now hoping to nail down a permanent GB place. He said: “It’s one of my goals to be honest, I want to stay in the Great Britain team. I feel I’m improving all the time at the top level. I did okay in the meeting with Denmark. I binned it in one race which wasn’t great but I won my next race. Five points wasn’t too bad for a debut.

“I felt that this season was my opportunity to kick on for GB. It’s no secret that injuries have held me back over the years. A couple of seasons ago I was riding the best I ever had before my double leg break. So I kind of take one step forward and two back. But I feel fitter and stronger than ever before. My target this year was a consistency for King’s Lynn and Eastbourne and a permanent GB place.”

Kerr, 29, also admits he is benefitting hugely from the extra help from the vast backroom squad experience of Great Britain. He has taken part in the Zoom Performance Camp meetings every fortnight that has included GB's Performance Psychologist Jeremy Holt and Performance Specialist Chris Neville. Kerr adds: “There is no doubt they give you an extra edge, always something extra to think about and to test yourself. As a sportsman you need to challenge your mind constantly. Jeremy and Chris have so many ideas and ways to improve yourself. I feel that I am super-fit now in body and mind. But it’s fantastic to have the constant support and know-how at the end of a text message.

“I still feel I have a lot to give at 29. That is far from too old in Speedway. I raced in the only meeting of the season Ben Fund in March and I felt great. “It’s obviously been frustrating for everyone to be in lockdown. But life appears to be coming back to normal. I hope we can salvage some racing this year and definitely for Great Britain. I’ll shed blood, sweat and tears for my country.”