Thanks to Bryn for this latest update from Isle of Wight Speedway, Wightlink Warriors. Ed
It’s been another hectic week for both the Isle of Wight management duo of Barry Bishop and Martin Widman and their willing band of fans beginning with them turning out in force in less than ideal conditions to erect the brand new air fence, a required safety item for riders, that arrived towards the end of last week.
But erect it they did and with the 385 metre long Smallbrook circuit being one of if not the biggest speedway tracks in the country it was no mean feat and now commercial director Barry Bishop is working hard to get each panel sponsored before the season gets underway.
Commenting on the air fence installation he said,
“I would just like to thank everyone from Team Warrior who made the latest Warrior milestone such great fun, in pretty awful conditions. The fence was very late to arrive, it was dark, wet and windy when we put it up, but the “Team Warriors” overcame, had fun and finished with a real sense of achievement.”
Celebration of Speedway
With the air fence installed it was time to further promote the club off track, and the return of speedway to the Isle of Wight, on Sunday at the World Speedway Riders Association’s Celebration of Speedway event at Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire and with co-boss Martin Widman taking part in the British Speedway Promoters Association Fan’s Forum held the same day in Rugby, Warwickshire.
Many of the Wightlink Warriors management were on hand at the packed WSRA day at Paradise Wildlife Park including new team manager Neil Vatcher, commercial director Barry Bishop and Wightlink Warriors skipper Brendan Johnson all manning the club’s stand at the event and helping to keep fans up to date with all the latest news from the club including the track work taking place as well as the team building off the track and helping out selling the club’s merchandise. They also took every opportunity to extol the virtues of not only attending the club’s speedway meetings at Smallbrook but the many other attractions also to be enjoyed by visiting the Isle of Wight.
Barry Bishop commented,
“Myself and Martin both had terrific days across the country representing the Wightlink Warriors, Ryde and the Isle of Wight. I have to say that I was astounded at the response to our activity both on and off track as we gear up for the return of speedway, the general hunger to get to Ryde to see the new look stadium and the demand for our merchandise.
“Andy Hague was on hand today to talk fans through our website and our media channel on speedway portal. I would like to thank everyone who stopped by and for all the wonderful supportive comments about the Warriors. Finally, the WSRA celebration of Speedway is exactly that, positive, productive and a wonderful place to be. This year has to be the largest event ever and I am sure it will continue to grow further and I would like to thank on behalf of the Warriors the WSRA and Paradise Wildlife Park, for another great day. We shall be back.”
Overall the message is very clear indeed and being spread far and wide, that message being that the sport of speedway is very much back on the Island and back to stay!
2016 Fixture List
The 2016 Wightlink Islanders fixture list is now available via our official Website and our opener, the Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy on APRIL 7 now just six weeks away.
