barrybishop

Wightlink Warriors forced into team change. The Wightlink Warriors have been forced in to a team change following the NL Coordinators assessment that Harland Cook’s average must be 4.18 for the NL and this will be 0.14 over the 39 points limit set at the NL AGM. Wightlink Warriors co-promoter Barry Bishop said “Martin, Jackie and I struggle to understand the logic behind this ruling as Harland was named as a number 8 for the Bournemouth Buccaneers in 2009, in what was to be his last season riding speedway before switching successfully to the grass, which means his last registered average was 3.00 and in addition to this, another set of rules indicated that he should be treated as a new rider in any case so also on a 3.00 point average. To further confuse the situation, 3 other riders returned to racing last season all of whom were the same grade as Harland in the 2008 conference league grading system and were assessed to be a 3.5 NL points average. As a new promotion, we really struggle to understand this ruling and have requested on several occasions for the formula used to calculate such average assessments to be made available to promoters so that we don’t find ourselves in this situation again. However, we have known of the ruling for some time, so has Harland, and we tried passionately to counter argue with the NL Coordinator but despite our pleas for reason, we have been told that Harland cannot ride on an average of 3.00. While I am bitterly disappointed that we will not have Harland in the side, and even more so to let Harland go, we have to respect the decision of the NL Coordinator and we will now throw our doors open to any rider on a 4.04 average or less to get in contact with us for a chat. In the first instance please email speedwayontheisland@yahoo.co.uk. In true Warrior Way fashion, now is your chance... come and take it."

Smallbrook Stadium Share and Repair event a huge success. Smallbrook Stadium is not only back to normal but further improved thanks to the Share and Repair event on Thursday 3rd March following a series of break-ins at the Sports and Entertainment complex located in Ryde. Speaking about the event Island Speedway (IOW) Ltd's Chairman Barry Bishop said, "It's now well documented the heartache the break-ins and damage caused throughout the community and my own personal sense of utter disbelief. However, I cannot contain my joy and appreciation of those who came to the Share and Repair event yesterday. The event started much earlier than the 4pm start time and thanks to IOW Radio's morning reports people were knocking on my office door from 8.30am ready to get started. It was amazing. Throughout the day, well over 50 people who had travelled from Southampton, Fareham, Portsmouth and across the Isle of Wight, came along to Smallbrook to offer their time to fix the damage and repair the goodwill and support to the stadium from the Island and beyond. The support was not limited to speedway fans either, with a broad spectrum of stadium users and people from across the Island including a couple who had never previously been to Smallbrook Stadium, who in conversation seemed really overwhelmed with such a great facility on the Island. Even more of a welcome surprise was that workers were not limited to users of the Stadium but also sponsors of the Wightlink Warriors with Ryde Taxis MD Jodie Younie and Wightlink's CEO Keith Greenfield both on hand to support the repair work. I am pleased to say that most the priority repairs were fixed by 2pm, and even after publicly saying the work was all but completed, people still came along because they wanted the stadium to be even better than before the break-in. Incredibly, the team continued with further painting and additional nice to have work as well as initial planning for more security fencing, improved wheelchair areas and more security lighting and cameras. All the hard work was rewarded in the Premier Lounge with a cold beer on the house. As a final word, I would like to thank everyone that came forward to support the Share and Repair event and to help fix Smallbrook. This along with the pledges of future support to continue to grow the acorn we planted has come as a total surprise and it really does show that we are always stronger together. Thank you."

A further update for you in my capacity as Chairman of Island Speedway(IOW) Ltd, that runs Smallbrook Stadium. Smallbrook Stadium, the multisport and event complex in Ryde, today reported that on Friday and Sunday night the complex was subjected to a series of break-ins and attempted break-ins. The incidents happened across the stadium but were in the main directed at the Speedway offices and Premier Lounge which houses the Urban Gym and the function rooms. The Cricket Club also suffered break-ins but nothing has been reported as stolen. Island Speedway's IOW Limited's Chairman Barry Bishop said, "It is probably not very well known that, with the exception of one person, no one is paid to work at Smallbrook Stadium, so when we suffer a break-in it is not only an attack on the stadium but every hour of voluntary work put in to make Smallbrook one of the most attractive and well used sites on the Island. I can honestly say that on when I heard then news that we had suffered break-ins where administration equipment and keys used to run Wightlink Warrior speedway meetings and My First Skid were stolen plus further break-ins to the Cricket lockups on Saturday, I was totally heartbroken. I just could not fathom our why anyone would want to destroy the great work that has been done to restore the stadium and raise its profile not just across the Island but the country too, in such a way. Although I was totally dismayed at the news I chose that on Sunday I should continue my work and represent the Island and Wight Warriors Speedway at the celebration of speedway event just outside London, where the feedback to what we do on the IOW and the support for the break-ins was literally staggering. This feeling was short-lived, as I was to be told on Monday that we had again been targeted and this was equally as hard to comprehend as the first one and this time, the Premier Lounge was targeted setting off our alarm systems. Having returned to the Island as quickly as possible to survey the damage, I discovered that the outdoor catering unit used at events and speedway had also been broken in to. The Police were once again at Smallbrook where they found further forensic evidence and we understand that two people are now helping the Police with their enquiries for both Friday and Sunday's break-ins. These break-ins have brought the volunteers at Smallbrook even closer together and stronger in their resolve to ensure that Smallbrook can be the best it can be and be something the Isle of Wight is proud of and utilises to the maximum. I would like to thank everyone that has shown support and offered support to fix the damage, the staff at Smallbrook, the Police and we will repair the damage done to be the best we can be as soon as possible. I have organised and "share and repair" event this Thursday March 2nd from 4 - 9pm where we hope that people will share their time and we will repair the damage to Smallbrook Stadium. We can repair the window and door damage, paint over the marks, tidy the mess and add additional security cameras and lighting. Everyone is welcome, please bring tools and warm clothing and let's show that break-ins to this fantastic community stadium cannot be tolerated."

Hi Everyone - Thanks for all your comments and support over the recent break-ins and attempted break-ins. I am on site today so will determine the right plan of action for Smallbrook and how we best remedy the damage. I would like to say something to you all, in that while the monetary loss is of course damaging to the club, for me the great issue is that these individuals have violated the work of our team, including Martin and I. You see our team gave up their holidays, spare time, after work, paid their own travel, came in the rain, snow, wind for what.... to help us return speedway and improve Smallbrook for all; and while I can say that Martin and I have made tremendous sacrifices too such as our work, family, friends to make Smallbrook the best it can be, I am truly heartbroken for those who gave their time to the club, who like us are so emotionally in love with the place that it constitutes to us the beating of a loved one... I hope that explains to you how I am feeling right now... I will update you all later but thank you so much for your help, support and messages - they have all been very uplifting. "WW"

Hi all, Two posts in as many weeks - this is a first for me Anyways, I just wanted to share with you some of my thoughts on Rik Mullins and why we have brought him into the squad. Rik, I know, has not been the most reliable rider in his past and has indeed been viewed to have let the Islanders down previously. Now, while I appreciate that this can be viewed as a letdown in the past I am a believer in tomorrow and the way forward. While I understand tomorrow is usually written in conjunction with the past, when we understand the past we can create the right path for the future. Rik was a young man and all over the place really during his previous time in speedway but having spoken with the lad, along with Jackie Vatcher, we feel that by bringing him to our environment with the right support around, him he has a chance, a real chance, to make it and give the Warriors a fantastic reserve pairing. I have to say that Rik to his credit has pursued the club relentlessly since the end of the season for a team spot and we have been talking with him to understand more about his family and personal goals for 2017, probably more than any other rider - as we know that historically there was an element of confusion or disorientation in life. The result of these conversations is a rider who we believe will be born again, committed to the Warriors (and I have to say there have been 3 other clubs wanting him), our fans, our sponsors, the management but also his team mates. Rik will, along with his team mates, have access to My First Skid and the support and ethos only the Warriors can provide him right now. The truth is, if Rik were to leave us half way through the season for an unexplained reason, I would view this as a personal failing on me and the Warriors and not that of Rik because in 2017 he is ours to lose really; we have the opportunity to bring the best out of him; we have the opportunity to work with him and we have the opportunity to develop him and take him to the next level. And I for one am extremely grateful for that. Let’s see what 2017 brings and I hope that all Warriors Fans who have valued our viewpoint, committment and judgment to date, even if they disagree with us, will join us and give Rik the support all Warriors deserve and I am sure that you will all be rewarded with the bright, interactive, challenging, and loyal rider we can mold into a fine young man and rider. Yours in speedway, Barry

Hello all, 100 clubs have been around for donkey's years. When I was a child my parents were involved in a charity called the "Mysterious Aunts and Uncles" which at the time provided terminally ill children in Oxford wth gifts at christmas or did something special for them... it was way before childrens hospices existed really... anyways one of the way to make a bit of money was the 100 club. Back then it was pretty much all take and give out a little and people did it because of the cause. Plus the quarterly draw got the charity in to the local press and gave valuable publicity. Now, what we have done with the Warriors 100 (like this name more than the 100 club and it just came to me while typing this so it was worth the response just for that ha ha) is to alter the ratio to 80% back to players and 20% to the fuel and tyre fund. In my view this gives a great weekly price of 100 pounds or 80% of the prize pot and all for 65 pounds a year to play. More importantly to me however, will be the marketing opportunities of the weekly draw and the fact that we can get the Warriors across all media and people thinking about our name, brand and club without even thinking about it - I hope that made sense. I hope that you may have seen our first Warriors 100 draw that took place one Thursday 5th January with Colin and Steph Whitlock, it was great - I know I would say that but I totally believe in what we do and how we do it. You see, I want to make use of the weekly draw to get in and around the Island or speedway meetings, riders, official, track team to get involved and make it fun. I urge you all to get involved and you never know.... "It could be you" We have a very simple payment system which can be electronic or via cheque and you know what, if not at our club then do it at your own clubs, make it fun, make it fair, value those who support it and value the time and the creativity of those who run it and people will contribute. Thanks everyone by the way for you comments - I dont come on here too much Andy Hague gives us all the feedback constructive and positive, where we can improve and what we have done well, so it is all fed back and I thank you for that. I hope to see you on the Island this season and if you do come over grab me, its always nice to meet like minded people. I am usually dressed terribly in blue and yellow. Thanks again #theWarriorWay Barry

Please call me on 07949590864 if you have doubts the weather, we almost everyone's cell number and will call if its inclement, but the forcast looks good. All the best Barry

Hi, as written above really, my advice is to attend a speedway school, there are many around, I think mine is the best of course, www.myfirstskid.com, but to be fair to all, there are other tracks which also provide great support where you can hire bikes from; such as Ride N slide, Scunthorpe, Stoke, Sittingbourne, Newcastle, Lydd, absolutely everyone is very keen to help and I have strong personal interest in supporting our youth... infact My First Skill are holding a 16 and under's day at Leicester in July, July 8th, but check the website. Chris is also right, once you have done a few schools you will want your equipment, buy wisely, and you want it to last and dont skimp on safety equipment try to buy new if you can (check hedgehog boots and gloves). So now that I have been completely neutral time for a bit of self promotion My First Skid has an amazing take up to the sport from those who attend our school.. currently its 10 percent.. so about 25 riders who attended our school, have gone on to buy all their own equipment and still come to our schools (£40 with own kit) where our only objective is to help riders improve safely and properly. Only 15 percent come to one school, once you have the bug you are hooked. If you want to reach me you can email me via here and I will bounce you my private details...always available to talk and discuss your options, as I am sure most of the posters on here are.

Hi, Have a look a My First Skids website, www.myfirstskid.com. We hold regular training days where we supply all the kit for £85 and you can try a selection of different bikes as you get more and more used to the bikes. It is also possible to attend events at Scunthorpe, Lydd, Sittingbourne (Iwade), Newcastle... all of which have bikes to hire. If you are interested in a my first skid event please email me. We have had Moto X boys before so know all your bad habbits All the best Barry

which one May 12th or Lydd weekend??? Best Barry

Hello All, After months of people telling me to use the forum finally I have managed it - but forgive me if I am a little slow in getting used to it. OK, My First Skid speedway school is a completely mobile school which provides first class training for those with or without their own equipment. The schools instructors comprises of Kate McAuley, Andy Meredith and Barry Bishop and usually we have a guest. Along with this we also have Tris Winterburn with his sidecar outfit and many other on the day helpers such as Andy, David, Amber, Emily, Jake and more. So on the day you will join us at the track, we kit you out, and start from 11 until 4pm on track with one of the team. The cost of our days are £85 for use of our equipment and £40 if you have your own. More details can be found at www.myfirstskid.com or on our FB page My First Skid. I hope that you will take the time to review our feedback and come join us for a school, although we say a school, 40 percent of our students come back for more If you need further details add me, Barry Bishop on Facebook, or email barry@twofatsubmariners.com or mobile 07949590864 for more details. Our next events are May 12th Scunthorpe and June 2/3rd at Lydd. Its a school for all, please support it. All the best Barry

Hello Richard, Can you please put up the My First Skid Dates on your diary. we will also announce new dates at Buxton and Leicester. Many thanks Barry 25th FEBRUARY - LEICESTER SPEEDWAY ONLINE BOOKINGS 3rd MARCH - SCUNTHORPE SPEEDWAY ONLINE BOOKINGS 31st MARCH - SCUNTHORPE SPEEDWAY ONLINE BOOKINGS 1st APRIL - SCUNTHORPE SPEEDWAY ONLINE BOOKINGS 21st APRIL - SCUNTHORPE SPEEDWAY ONLINE BOOKINGS 12th May - SCUNTHORPE SPEEDWAY ONLINE BOOKINGS 2nd June - LYDD SPEEDWAY - Provisional Date ONLINE BOOKINGS 3rd June - LYDD SPEEDWAY - Provisional Date ONLINE BOOKINGS 23rd June - SCUNTHORPE SPEEDWAY ONLINE BOOKINGS 24th June - SCUNTHORPE SPEEDWAY ONLINE BOOKINGS