MARK PLUMMER speaks to a man racking up the miles as he chases glory on three fronts in his latest "˜Friday Feature' . . .
THREE teams, three leagues . . . and it could potentially be three league titles for Simon Lambert.
The one-time World Under 21 finalist is gunning for Elite League glory with King's Lynn, Premier League honours with Workington and National League success at Kent over the coming weeks.
A grandstand climax is assured in a campaign which has featured plenty of ups and downs. He was dropped by second-tier side Rye House back in May, found himself out of work in the top-flight when Birmingham closed down in July and then suffered a badly broken hand at the beginning of August.
On the flip-side there has arguably the finest run of form of his career ahead of his recent injury lay-off and the chance to challenge for honours at all three levels.
"It is exciting to be involved in three lots of play-offs," said the 25 year-old who also devotes as many hours as possible to the family business around his many racing commitments.
"Three leagues is a lot to take on, but if you want it enough and have the right set-up around you, it is no problem.
"I'd be lying if I didn't say I felt tired a lot of the time, but it is not something that affects my performances.
"If I'm eligible to ride in all three leagues again next year "“ and there are clubs willing to sign me "“ I will definitely do it.
"Every speedway rider will tell you there is no substitute for time on the bike."
Lambert's bid for National League honours is already well underway as Kent pipped Coventry Storm 49-44 in the first leg of a semi-final showdown at Sittingbourne earlier this week.
He will have returned to the number one spot in the Kings' line-up by the time the second leg takes place at Brandon next month.
"I had big boots to fill at Kent replacing Steve Boxall, but I wasn't fazed by that," continued Lambert.
"I started the season quite slowly as I didn't quite have the right equipment package, but I had a three-month run before breaking my hand where everything clicked.
"I started the season at number one and I'll be finishing it there as well next month. Hopefully we can make the play-off final but we know we have a tough task in the second leg at Coventry.
"We wanted to go there with a 15-point lead, but we only have five so it will take a big effort to get through to the final."
Lambert faces a trip north of the border today as Workington launch their play-off campaign in the Premier League with a trip to title favourites Edinburgh ahead of a return clash at Derwent Park tomorrow.
And he couldn't be more delighted about how his campaign has worked out at that level after swapping the tight turns of Hoddesdon for the sweeping bends of Cumbria.
Lambert added: "I never felt happy at Rye House. It was demoralising and depressing being there.
"It has never really been a Simon Lambert track, but the offer was on the table early and I decided to play safe and accept it.
"I thought I could master the track and I was in the process of getting my machinery right when I was dropped.
"Workington got the full benefit of that and moving there was a massive moment in my season. I had three really fantastic months until getting injured and I'm so glad we made the play-offs.
"The promotion up there are so enthusiastic and they really deserved to be in the top six. I've never had a team manager like Tony Jackson before. He must need a new pair of shoes after every meeting judging by the way he is always running around the pits!
"We know it is going to be tough against Edinburgh so every point will count on the next two nights."
And the big meetings will continue to come thick and fast as Lambert is pitched into Elite League play-off battle for King's Lynn on Monday as they take on a Poole side who pipped them to top spot in the standings.
Lynn have drafted in Lambert as a replacement for Lewis Rose following his season-ending knee injury.
"I was a bit disappointed not to be selected by Lynn in the first place," he reflected. "But I've done so many guest bookings for them and against them that I've almost felt part of the team anyway.
"Lynn is probably my favourite track and I've done a lot of laps round there. I don't think I have anything to prove to anyone, but it is a great chance to show myself in a good light in some really big TV meetings.
Lambert's hectic schedule means a multitude of motorway miles and hours behind the wheel, but it is a lifestyle he has come to accept.
He faces a round trip of in excess of 500 miles to deepest Cumbria for Comets home outings and has a 300-mile return journey to Sittingbourne to line up for the Kings.
So a 45-minute trip to the Norfolk Arena from his South Lincolnshire base is an unusual luxury.
"I can get home on the same day as the meeting and have a couple of hours in the workshop afterwards," joked Lambert.
And, if everything goes to plan, he'll have helped Lynn amass a sizable advantage over the Pirates by then.
