TWO outstanding late season appearances at Sittingbourne Speedway for local grass tracking teenager Luke Goody indicates that another promising Kentish rider will be challenging for a Conference League berth in 2006.

Goody, who comes from Ashford and will turn 16 before the opening day of next season, has had an exceptional 2005 in the intermediate divisions on the grass and now aims to give Speedway a full go in 2006.

He said: "I’ve been riding grass track since I was five – thanks to the support and encouragement of my Dad. I did also attend training and practice at Sittingbourne a few years back - starting on a 125cc on the mini-track - but until this year my priority has always been grass track."

Riding a 350cc machine for the first time last season, Goody was runner-up in two major grass track championships in 2005, the Junior Poacher in Lincolnshire and earlier this month at Collier Street, near Tonbridge, the prestigious Junior Burnup, where he claimed the scalp of the highly-rated two-time Under-15 British Speedway champ, Josh Auty.

"I appreciate that I’ve entered the Speedway game too late to qualify for the Under-15 events but I’m keen to make up for lost time," Goody said of his Speedway ambitions.

Goody made a spectacular debut late last season at Iwade. After trying out his 350cc grass track machine around the Old Ferry Road circuit one week, Goody received an invitation to compete in the Clubman’s Championship and swept to an impressive victory, winning all five of his races.

"The Clubman’s event was the first time I’d ever ridden a 500cc Speedway bike so obviously I’m delighted to have won the trophy," said Goody.

"My plan now is to spend the winter getting in as much practice as I can, find my way into Speedway and aim to get a slot in a Conference team next season. I certainly hope that team can be the AC Associates Crusaders."