MARK PLUMMER catches up with one of the fastest men in the Fast Track for his latest "˜Friday Feature' . . .
The first full maximum from a rider in the first Fast Track Draft "“ there's a little something for the CV of Kyle Newman.
The Poole born-and-bred racer was one of three men involved in the inaugural draft process "“ Lakeside ace Ben Morley on two separate occasions and Lewis Kerr of King's Lynn the others - to have previously posted paid maximums this season.
But he topped that by reeling off four successive victories when helping his hometown club destroy a depleted Leicester side at Wimborne Road on Wednesday (August 20).
It was the latest in a long line of fine performances from Newman during the Pirates' six-meeting winning streak to eat into the advantage of long-time leaders King's Lynn at the top of the Elite League standings.
"It is always nice to have a stat like that next to your name," said Newman, who also races for Plymouth in the Premier League. "I had a paid maximum a few weeks ago so it was great to go one better and have a full one on Wednesday.
"Things are going well at the moment but there is no special reason behind it. I'm just feeling relaxed and confident.
"I was struggling a bit at both levels earlier in the season after having quite a bad crash in a Premier League meeting at Peterborough.
"I was convinced my leg was broken and that my season would be over, but thankfully that wasn't the case and I wasn't out for too long.
"I was stressing about my form after returning and a good friend of mine from outside the sport told me I had to go back to enjoying my speedway. I've done that and it is working well."
Newman has already featured in two title-winning Poole teams. He was released from the 2011 line-up during the summer of that year and was then being drafted in as a guest for both legs of the Grand Final triumph over Birmingham last term.
Now he would like to bring up the hat-trick with a tapes-to-flag contribution in the current campaign.
"I'm Poole through and through, and I feel so proud to pull on the Pirates kevlars," added Newman. "Speedway is the sport in the town and everyone from the management to the supporters is desperate to continue having success.
"I thought I was ready for the Elite League in 2011, but the honest truth is that wasn't the case. Being dropped was actually a blessing in disguise as I went away and continued my speedway education.
"It was great to do a job in the Grand Final last season as a guest, but it would be so much more special to win the title having been part of the team all season."
Newman is already something of a silverware magnet at the age of 22 having been involved in title triumphs at all three levels of the sport.
He won the Conference League with Weymouth in 2008 and then helped Bournemouth take the newly-named National League honours the following season.
He also helped Somerset to a Premier League and KO Cup double last term after previously being part of the Newcastle team to win the Premier League Shield in 2011.
"I've already had a very good career in terms of winning medals," continued Newman. "I'm very lucky to have been part of some great teams at all three levels of the sport.
"I'm certainly part of another one at Poole this year. There is that buzz around the place that you get when challenging to win a title."
Poole have been well-placed throughout the campaign, but announced the title intent by ending table-topping Lynn's unbeaten home record with a 49-41 success at the Norfolk Arena last week.
At the time of writing they have closed to within three points of the Stars and the situation could quickly change with both sides in action over the next couple of days.
"It would be nice to finish top, but it is not essential," continued Newman. "We've seen in recent years that the team who ends the regular season in first place does not always win the league.
"It is a whole different ball game when the play-offs come around and it all boils down to which of the four teams that make it performs the best then."
And not too many people would bet against that being the Pirates . . .
