By Benedict O'ConnorFLAMBOYANT band The Darkness are backing one of the county's up and coming motor racing teams.Lowestoft-born singer Justin Hawkins and his band have agreed to sponsor the Ickworth-based KR Racing in the Days of Thunder championship at the Rockingham race track.

By Benedict O'Connor

FLAMBOYANT band The Darkness are backing one of the county's up and coming motor racing teams.

Lowestoft-born singer Justin Hawkins and his band have agreed to sponsor the Ickworth-based KR Racing in the Days of Thunder championship at the Rockingham race track.

Duane Kidd, from Ickworth, who formed KR Racing with driver Shaun Richardson, told how Team Darkness Racing was formed.

“I was at an event at Rockingham last year and the Darkness had played there. They were popular at that point and I had their album, but they hadn't really made it big,” he recalled.

“This bloke was in the pit lane and we were just stood talking and I didn't realise who he was.

“I was just thinking 'Who is this long-haired skinny bloke?' and it was Justin and we got on and the band had enjoyed themselves and decided to get involved.”

Mr Kidd added: “When they started they were very much like us - everybody told them they couldn't or shouldn't do it, but they went on and did it anyway and look at them now.

“I think they saw that same underdog spirit in us and that's why we get on so well. Justin and Shaun get on a like a house on fire.”

The Days of Thunder series starts at the Rockingham track in Northamptonshire on Sunday, when the Team Darkness cars will make their debut.

KR Racing finished ninth in the Days of Thunder season last year and is hoping to top that this year with the support of the retro rockers.

Mr Richardson said: “The Darkness is a monster brand to put on our car and this deal is fantastic for us and the series.

“I am positive we will do the band proud this year and look forward to bringing the car home at the front on May 2.”

In the two years since the team was formed, the initial handful of enthusiasts and one car has grown to a pit crew of 15 and two competing cars.

Mr Kidd said: “We don't have the major backing of some of the other teams, but we all came together through a love of the sport and now with the Darkness behind us we're looking forward to taking on the big boys.”

benedict.o'connor@eadt.co.uk