Ex Berwick Bandits captain Drew Kemp reveals his plans for the new season
Drew Kemp has not drawn a line under his Championship career but admits that the immediate focus is elsewhere in 2026.
The newly-crowned Argentinian champion spent the past two seasons with Berwick Bandits, rising from a five-point second string to number one and captain.
He was especially effective – and spectacular – around the Borders’ side’s ultra-fast Shielfield Park bowl.
For 2026 Kemp’s sole British focus is a return to Leicester in the Premiership in addition to signing for Latvian side Daugavpils in the Poland league and returning for a second season with Solkatterna in Sweden.
Despite his upward trajectory, the 23-year-old ex-Poole and Scunthorpe man surprisingly went under the radar for winter team building plans.
Speaking on Berwick Speedway’s Total Access podcast, Kemp revealed that he only spoke with two Championship promoters during the winter.
“Perhaps it was because I’m not quite established as a number one but have a number one’s average,” the Suffolk-based racer said.
“I only got one call apart from Berwick but in reality the Bandits was the only Championship team I was realistically going to sign for.
“I didn’t want to go anywhere else and spoke seriously to (team manager) Stewart Dickson and (club owner) Jamie Courtney about doing another year there.
“Logistically it is difficult with Berwick a 14-hour round trip from home every Saturday and to then fit in Poland just wasn’t possible.”
Kemp’s all-action style and use of the full width of the highly-banked Shielfield Park bends, winning a number of high-speed duels with the league’s established stars, made him a hero with the black and gold faithful.
And the feeling is mutual.
“No matter who you are or how many times you have raced it, Berwick is a scary track. But it is also one that can be mastered.
“After a few meetings I knew it was a place where I could expect to score double figures every time and that put me in a good place,” he said.
“There is no question Berwick got the best out of me and I wouldn’t be enjoying the opportunities with Daugavpils and Argentina if it weren’t for the past two years with them.
“Although it’s a small town, the fans all love the Bandits and turn out every week to enjoy their speedway.
“You are so close to them that you can hear the cheering during a race and it was so good to win and see everybody celebrating, especially at the top of the banking on the third bend.”
And Kemp revealed that he has not turned his back on either the Bandits or the Championship in general.
He said: “My priority for 2026 is to get going good in Poland but fixtures there finish July/August.
“If the time is right and if Stewart and Jamie wanted me then that’s a conversation I’d love to have. They also know that if Berwick ever needs a guest they can call me any time.”