EDWARD Kennett has insisted he is as motivated as ever to win the British title this evening despite a place at Cardiff no longer being on offer.

In previous years the highest placing rider behind any British Grand Prix star has been awarded the wild card for the event at the Millennium Stadium, but Chris Harris has already been handed the number 16 race jacket for the meeting on June 1 by series organisers BSI.

While a host of fans and riders are unhappy at the decision, Kennett is still keen to perform at his best at Monmore Green tonight as he hunts his first national title.

“It’s a shame because racing at Cardiff is unbelievable, but I have a lot of time for Chris (Harris) and I hope he goes in there and does well,” he said.

“It would have been nice if the prize of getting to Cardiff was still there like it has been for the last few years, but it isn’t and I just have to get on with it.

“I think I can get on the rostrum, although I will obviously be aiming to win it, and a rostrum place would be great.

“To win it would mean a hell of a lot for me because last year was such a struggle, and it would really mean everything to me.”

Kennett crashed out in the final last year, but knows plenty of work lies ahead as he tries to make it to the final four once again.

“It’s a very important meeting for me because it would be nice to get on the rostrum this year, and over the least couple of years I have been a bit unlucky and bailed out in the final, so it would be nice to get there and try and stay on the bike for four laps,” he said.

“It’s a long road to get there though because there are five rides to win first, and it will be tough because everyone wants to be British champion.

"We've just got to focus to try to get in that final because once you get there anything can happen and that's when it really matters.

"I've had some good meetings at Wolverhampton in the past and it's a track that suits my style of riding.

"I feel pretty confident going there on that track, we just need everything to go smoothly on the day and avoid any hiccups.”