THE Baseby brothers, are the latest in a long tradition of siblings in Kentish speedway.

Mark Baseby, who is Sittingbourne's Rider of the Year, and his 15-year-old brother Aaron, follow the likes of Dave and the late Martyn Piddock, who rode for Canterbury, the famous Kennetts from the Orpington area.

For Sittingbourne there has been current stars Jason and Daniel King, not to mention the Thomasas - Ivor and Barry - who founded the Iwade circuit 35 years ago.

Their proud father Paul has apoken of how the pursuit of a hobby that could involve all the family has led them down the path to speedway glory.

He said: "We were looking for something the boys could get into and thought about moto-cross and trials. But with them – and indeed with grasstrack too – it would involve us having to get two different sized bikes because of Mark & Aaron’s two-and-a-half years' age difference.

"Speedway was the one sport they could do using the same bike, so we started at the Old Gun Site mini-track and further south in the county at Lydd."

Mark had a breakthrough year in 2005 and Paul is really pleased with the 17-year-old’s progress. "Mark had a tough 2004 having to ride in the main body of the Rye House Raiders team. Mind you, it taught him a lot," Paul said.

"Mark is a real battler and he has shown this throughout this past season with Sittingbourne having to come from behind in races many times. By the end of the season he was gating much better too and that promises much for next year."

In 2006, Aaron will be ready to join his elder brother for a first full season – with a new streak of confidence too.

Paul explained: "Aaron won the end of season Ernie Edwards Memorial trophy at the Old Ferry Road track on an afternoon when he really showed he believes now he can compete with other riders out there in a racing environment.

"The thing Aaron needs now more than anything is a team slot. What I admire about both of my boys is their professionalism and dedication to the sport - qualities that are so important to make a real go at a speedway career."

And as if two Baseby brothers isn’t enough, Paul revealed that there is two more junior speedsters waiting to be unleashed in the family’s Sevenoaks home.

"Mark and Aaron have two younger brothers Alex, aged six, and James, just three. So we’ll have to wait a few years yet to see if one day we can put out a Baseby team in a Four Team Tournament like the famous Collins brothers did on a number of occasions at the old Crayford Stadium back in the 1980s!"