Sport

Mankey joins national speedway team

Sep 27, 2021

Hot wheels: Kenneth Mankey in his trademark #89 pink Holden Commodore. Photo by Contributed

He’s well known around the north east for his high-octane exploits, but soon Benalla’s Kenneth Mankey will be showing off his talents across the ditch at the Australia versus New Zealand speedway test series held early next year.

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As president of Wangaratta Speedway, Mankey has spent many a year carving a reputation for himself in the sport throughout the region.

And now he gets his reward.

Bestowed the chance to race for his country as an official member of the Australian Stockcar team, Mankey will don the green and gold from January 2 onwards when the series kicks off in Wellington.

The racing moves south on January 5, where Mankey and co take to Beachlands Speedway in Dunedin for the second leg of the series.

Lastly, the action finishes in scenic Christchurch when Team Australia squares off with New Zealand on January 8 in race three.

A statement released on Facebook by Speedway Team Australia welcomed Mankey to the team, waxing lyrical about his abilities and work ethic within the Wangaratta speedway scene.

“Welcome to the team Kenneth Mankey,” it read.

“Famous for his pink #89 Commodores, Kenneth has starred as Wangaratta Club Champion, displaying remarkable adaptability across everything from Speedway Sedans Australia Production Sedans, to Standard Saloons, Sports Sedans and has been near enough to unbeatable in Wangaratta’s popular Demolition Derby Racing.

“A dedicated volunteer official and scrutineer, Mankey lives and breathes speedway racing and hopes the experience and knowledge gained overseas can help him bring a new lease on life to Wangaratta Speedway Club in the years ahead.”