Lewis Kerr

Speedway career

Kerr took up speedway in late 2009, and made his competitive debut in June the following year for King's Lynn Young Stars' in the National League Knock-Out Cup. Initially named as the team's number 8, towards the end of the season, having averaged almost 6 points per match in National League matches, he was named in the main seven places in the team. He was again named in the team for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. In 2012 he rode in the Premier League as a guest replacement for Plymouth Devils, Somerset Rebels and Leicester Lions, and in November 2012 he was named in a doubling up role in the Lions team for 2013, sharing the number seven position with Lewis Blackbird, while continuing to ride for King's Lynn in the National League. He was released before the start of the season after being offered a full-time reserve position with Newcastle Diamonds for the 2013 Premier League speedway season. He rode for both Newcastle and King's Lynn in 2014.

While racing for Newcastle in 2015, Kerr suffered an almost career-ending crash in a meeting at Peterborough. He was hit by Australian Josh Grajczonek in the third heat, which forced him to go through the fence into a metal gate. He was treated for head injuries at the track for over one hour, before being airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital. He was placed into a medically induced coma for three days, before finally waking and breathing on his own. After recovering he raced for Lakeside, Ipswich and Scunthorpe in 2016 and then Scunthorpe, Somerset and Poole in 2017.

In 2017, he made the final of the British Speedway Championship for the first time, finishing 11th. In 2018, he resigned for King's Lynn as well as appearing for Glasgow and reached the final of the British Championship again. During 2019 he signed for Eastbourne for the SGB Championship 2019, while remaining at King's Lynn in the highest league and he finished in 5th place at the 2019 British Speedway Championship. The highlight of a lost 2020 season due to COVID-19 pandemic was a 10th placed finish in the 2020 British Speedway Championship.

In 2021, he rode for the King's Lynn Stars in the SGB Premiership 2021 and the Eastbourne Eagles in the SGB Championship 2021. When the Eagles withdrew from the league due to financial issues Kerr joined the Redcar Bears for the remainder of the 2021 season.

Kerr had a testimonial meeting at King's Lynn Speedway on 20 March 2022, for ten years service to speedway. During 2022, he initially rode for King's Lynn before signing for Sheffield in the SGB Premiership 2022. He also continued to ride for the Redcar Bears in the SGB Championship 2022 and won the 2022 SGB Championship Pairs Championship for Redcar, with Charles Wright. He also helped Sheffield win the League Cup and reach the Play off final.

In 2023, Kerr re-signed for the Sheffield Tigers in the SGB Premiership, where he won the league title. He also signed for Oxford Cheetahs in the SGB Championship 2023.

For the 2024 season, he re-signed for Oxford but with their Premiership team the Spires and joined Berwick Bandits in the Championship. Kerr re-joined Poole Pirates for the SGB Championship 2025 and was also brought in for Sheffield to replace the injured Tai Woffinden.

Personal life

Lewis married Jessica Day on 6 December 2014.

References

References

1. "Lewis Kerr".
2. "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022".
3. "[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/8743264.stm King's Lynn rookie Lewis Kerr scores a point on debut]", [[BBC]], 17 June 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2012
4. "[http://www.speedwaygb.co/riderindex11_k.html Rider Index]", speedwaygb.co. Retrieved 2 December 2012
5. "[http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Speedway-Lasse-Bjerre-blow-Lions/story-17072742-detail/story.html Speedway: Lasse Bjerre blow for Lions]", ''[[Leicester Mercury]]'', 12 October 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2012
6. "[http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/speedway/speedway-stars-swoop-for-schlein-1-4534980 SPEEDWAY: Stars swoop for Schlein]", ''[[Lynn News]]'', 29 November 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2012
7. "Lewis Kerr in coma after horrific crash". The Guardian.
8. "Lewis Kerr reflects on incredible journey". Daily Mirror.
9. "2021 KING'S LYNN STARS".
10. "Eastbourne Speedway withdraw from 2021 season".
11. "Kerr and Kinsley bring Bears back to full strength".
12. (8 December 2021). "Lynn speedway ace wants 'big names' at testimonial meeting".
13. "King’s Lynn Stars axe Dersingham speedway rider Lewis Kerr and will make Polish leagues signing at the weekend".
14. "British Speedway rider profile".
15. "PAIRS WIN FOR REDCAR".
16. "Tigers win League Cup".
17. "Kerr remains a Tiger". Sheffield Speedway.
18. "Kerr staying with Sheffield".
19. "Tigers champions in Grand Final drama".
20. "Oxford Cheethas 2023 squad revealed in full". Oxford Speedway.
21. "Cheetahs name team for 23".
22. "Magic news for Spires".
23. "Bandits name top two".
24. (27 November 2024). "Poole Pirates announce signing of Lewis Kerr for 2025".