READING Racers are in action this Saturday as they take on the Kent Kestrels, their successors as Southern Development League champions.

The Iwade-based side clinched the title last month when they completed a hat-trick of wins in one day to put themselves on an unattainable 14 points, and also remain unbeaten in the league in seven matches this year, with only this weekend’s tussle with the Racers still to come.

Reading were themselves unbeaten in their own championship-winning campaign last season and will be keen to put one over the new title-holders.

There are doubts over the fitness of Kent’s leading man Alex Spooner after a big smash last week, but if he lines up the match will throw together two major forces in the league.

Spooner and the home team’s Dan Gilkes are both unbeaten in SDL competition this season, although Gilkes has only competed in two matches whereas his counterpart has won a remarkable 21 consecutive races, leading his side in all their seven contests so far.

Spooner has used the league to good effect, finding the extra track time along with the confidence gained from such a run the perfect back up for his racing in the National League, where he has successfully made his mark in 2018.

Gilkes, meanwhile, has resisted offers to race in the National League this season while he has finished his schooling, but is regarded by many experts to have a bright future in the sport.

It will be the first time this year the Racers have been able to put their two big guns in the team together as Nick Laurence lines up alongside Gilkes.

With Jamie Bursill unavailable and after several attempts, Reading are finally able to include squad member William O’Keefe in their team for his 2018 debut in their colours.

A regular in the winged wheel race jacket last year, O’Keefe has been either racing in the National League or laid up with injury each time the management have tried to include him this season.

Kent are unsure of their team’s make up, as they await news on Spooner, and also on the availability of Jacob Clouting.

They have, however, confirmed Andrew Palmer and Jamie Couzins, who have both played their part in the title win.

A win in this match will keep the Racers’ target of finishing runners-up a possibility, with two more home matches to come against Isle of Wight Wizards and Weymouth Wildcats before the season ends.