Heavy rain has meant Kent Kings' much-anticipated British Championship speedway meeting with Leicester Lions has been postponed.

The Kings were looking forward to welcoming fans back to Central Park, Sittingbourne on Tuesday but the track is waterlogged.

A statement said: "Kent Speedway club is sorry to announce that despite considerable efforts to get the track ready for racing after much rain in the Sittingbourne area for several days, further rain overnight on Monday and with more heavy downpours forecast during Tuesday, there’s been no choice but to call off tonight’s opening fixture vs Leicester."

The Kent outfit are competing in the second tier of British speedway for the first time this season. The entire 2020 season was cancelled because of Covid.

All customers who purchased a ticket for Tuesday's opening meeting are able, if they wish, to roll this over to next Tuesday’s (May 25) match against Eastbourne in the Knockout Cup. Tickets already purchased will be valid with the seat numbers as allocated.

If there are customers requiring a refund they can do so by phoning the office on 01795 475547 between 10am and 4pm to arrange such a refund.

Kent Kings’ opening race of the season will now be raced behind closed doors.

While stadiums in England are back open the Kings are facing Scottish side Glasgow on Friday, where different rules apply. The Kent club have told fans not to travel as the home side’s Ashfield Stadium will not be open for spectators.

There will be a pay-per-view live online stream available.

The rearranged date for the postponed match against Leicester Lions in the Championship is Tuesday, June 22nd and the match originally listed for that date, Kent Royals v Leicester Cubs (National League) will now be re-scheduled for Tuesday, October 5th.