FORMER British Under-15 champion James Humby is going back to his roots in order to get his Speedway career back on track.

The 16-year-old has reappeared on the Sittingbourne scene with late season second-half outings at the Old Ferry Road track where he made his debut four years ago.

The Southampton-based speedster said: "I started in Speedway at Iwade on the mini-track aged just 12. I quickly graduated to the main track and at that time was also active with the Romney Falcons further south in the county at Lydd."

After barely a year riding Speedway, the multi-talented young sportsman had a British title to his name.

"Just after my 13th birthday I won the Under-15s title down at Lydd. I appreciate now it’s considered an unofficial title, but in those days the two Kentish circuits led the way in giving competitive and championship opportunities to young teens."

The fact that Humby’s title win (beating top current Conference rider Lewis Bridger into second place) put him in the Speedway public eye aged just 13 explains that he appears to have been on the scene for so long without yet reaching double-figures in League appearances, though this is largely down to a nightmare 2005.

Humby said: "I turned 15 mid-season 2004 and made a debut for Stoke at Weymouth. Wimbledon gave me a couple of late season rides including one at Oxford and the home side, the Academy themselves, then expressed an interest.

"After riding in their last two fixtures in 2004, Oxford said they’d like me to sign for them in 2005 to ride in their Conference League side and I was happy to do so."

However, things started to go wrong when it became clear that Oxford and their team manager Bryn Williams had a different concept of what constituted success in the Conference division.

"I feel that the Conference is about giving opportunities to youngsters," said Humby. "But sadly the link-up with Oxford didn’t work, as that club’s objective was to pursue the League title."

A nasty back injury sustained when second-halving at Reading didn’t help matters and meant he was unfit on the one occasion Williams called upon Humby to ride for the champions-elect.

"In the end I had just two appearances back with the Stoke Spitfires to my name in a really frustrating year.

"The season did end in a better way when I won the Southern Track Riders championship at Newport. I also decided to link up again with Sittingbourne late season appearing in the second half and taking part in the Ernie Edwards Memorial meeting."

Humby plans a fresh bid for the Conference place his talent and dedication deserves in 2006.

"I plan to train at the Old Gun Site as much as possible after Christmas getting ready for the new season. I hope that this time I can find a club that just wants to give me a chance."