Thanks to Bryn for this latest update from Island Speedway and the Wightlink Warriors. Ed
It has been a further very busy and productive week for the Wightlink Warriors new regime with further sponsorship pledges for the club’s riders, an incentive for a Warrior to break the existing track record and another weekend of hard work as efforts continue to get Smallbrook spic and span in readiness for the return of speedway to Smallbrook.
Another pledge
The first additional sponsorship pledge came from Richard Johnson and his Hayling Island based RRE (Riddiford Racing & Engineering) organisation that combines sub-contract machining with the manufacture and sale of grasstrack and speedway bike parts and spares.
His connection with speedway on the Isle of Wight goes back to when his son Chris rode for the Isle of Wight under the Islanders banner some years ago and though his racing days are over, like his dad, Chris is still heavily involved in the sport through his thriving D-STAR Racewear concern. Explaining this link up with the Wightlink Warriors Richard said,
“Once we saw that speedway was coming back to the Island, we wanted to be involved. We are very close to the Island in both distance and in our past connections, so we are excited to be a part of it.”
More support
Dorking-based Paul Dewey Bloodstock have also jumped at the chance to support The Warriors in 2016. The Dorking based company is a bloodstock agent and pedigree analyst that searches for and sells race horses and Paul said,
“My wife Fiona and I are really pleased to see speedway return to the Isle of Wight and it looks to us like the Warriors are in for a great season.
“By helping the club with rider costs we really feel we are helping the Warriors back on track and although we do live quite a way from the track we plan to be there as often as we can especially after the move to Thursday night racing.”
In Lil’s memory
Speedway fan John Thorburn has come up with a very good reason for any Warrior to break the Smallbrook NL track record during 2016 saying,
“My mum Lil loved speedway as much as I do and when it closed in 2013 we were both equally as disappointed. Between its closure and reopening unfortunately Lil passed away and I know that she would have been as supportive as I am for speedway’s return to the Island as the Warriors.
“This season I have decided to help out a little by sponsoring an air fence panel in my mum’s memory and the Warriors riders will have the Lil Thorburn challenge to aim for which is £250 for any Warrior that officially breaks Smallbrook’s NL track record. It’s going to be an exciting year and I hope that Lil’s challenge will add just a bit of extra incentive to the team.”
Volunteers travel far and wide to help
Both Barry Bishop and Martin Widman expressed their gratitude to all those Team Warrior volunteers who joined them at the track over last weekend, travelling from as far as Cornwall, Carterton In Oxfordshire, Portsmouth, and Middlesbrough to join many Islanders for two days of sheer hard work, and their efforts have resulted in both the track and stadium really looking good.
Widman said,
“It’s great testament to the Team Warrior work party that we are now almost there with the track work. Finally we can see light at the end of the tunnel and though we have just a little more work to do to be ready to receive the air fence, the surrounding stadia is now looking better than it has for years.
“We’ve repaired the roads, graded the track, started to prepare the pitstop shop, repaired more posts, tested the electrics and everyone can rightly be very proud of their achievements again this weekend.”
Bishop wholeheartedly agreed saying,
“The Team Warrior weekends are just fantastic and the team spirit down at Smallbrook is something very special. Every member of Team Warrior has a single vision of getting our stadium and track in the best possible condition for the 2016 season whilst having a fantastic time in the process.
“I am amazed at the distances people are travelling to support the Warriors and their commitment to the club. With more Islanders than ever involved in the track work pride is really swelling within the Warriors camp.”
