KING’S Lynn Young Stars have made a team change ahead of the start of the WSRA National Development League season.

The Young Stars have moved to sign former Mildenhall, Kent and Belle Vue rider Jack Kingston after Jacob Clouting informed the club he would be unable to take his place in the side.

Clouting has taken a difficult decision to stand down based on work and family commitments, and the club wish him well for the future.

Essex racer Kingston himself spent the 2024 season on the sidelines but returned in 2025 as a late replacement at Belle Vue, and produced some eye catching displays for the Colts.

Manager Jason Pipe said: “It’s come right out of the blue, but I’m pleased Jacob has said something now, rather than wait until the days leading up to our first fixture.

“From having a phone conversation with Jacob on Monday of this week, I fully understand his reasons why he’s came to this decision and I’d like to wish him all the very best in going forward from here. Things have changed in Jacob’s personal life and he needs to prioritise what’s more important to him right now.

“I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of Jacob on a speedway track and hopefully we’ll see him back racing again in the NDL in 2027.

“As soon as Jacob broke this news to me, I was quickly on the phone to Jack, who I knew was available and is very much capable of coming in to replace Jacob in the team.

“I’ve known Jack for a while now and kept an eye on him behind the scenes. I was recently watching him around Buxton in the Regina Fours and he really impressed me around there, and I did publicly comment that if I had a spot to fill in the Young Stars team, then I’d have snapped up Jack there and then on that day. So I’m now sticking to my word on that one!

“After recently upgrading his machinery, Jack is hungry to show people what he can do at this level of the sport and hopefully put himself in the shop window for any Championship rides in the future.

“I like Jack’s attitude and confidence and that’s what I like to see in a rider, and I’m sure Jack and his mechanic, Garry, will fit in very well with the rest of the team.”

Clouting admits it was a big decision to relinquish his place in the Young Stars team but he is keen to stress he is not retiring and is already targeting a return in 2027.

He said: “It’s obviously been a very hard decision to make and I’ve given it a lot of thought and time, hence why it’s been a late decision.

“Speedway may be quick one-minute races, but there’s a lot of prep work that goes on beforehand with bike washes, training and driving to the track, so it takes up a lot of time. And right now I’m really struggling to find the time, with work and now two kids it’s not easy.

“So I’ve decided to sit this year out and I’m planning to return to racing next season and put more of my time and focus back into speedway.

“I can’t thank Jason enough for understanding the situation and hopefully next season I can race for King’s Lynn in the National League.”

The Young Stars kick off their NDL schedule at home to Leicester on Wednesday May 20.