barrybishop

Hi, Still waiting on their reply. I imagine they will announce a new timetable come May 17th when pubs can fully open and people more likely to to trips for nights out to and from the Island. All the best

We have always done relatively well from Challenge matches crowd and sponsor wise. Our view is to make them as relative as possible so by challenging clubs looking to keep their teams alive and continue to be part of shale track racing having the likes of Oxford, Cradley, Weymouth, and will I hope give the buzz of a league match, certainly all of these challenge types before have Stay safe one and all and thanks for your support in this challenging of times.

The Wightlink Warriors Shale Track Racing Club have announced their NORA Motorsport race programme for 2021 and what a bumper action-packed season it promises to be with eleven consecutive weekly meetings from late June featuring something for every shale track racing follower. Co-owner Martin Widman said, “Barry (Bishop) and I have worked really hard trying to develop what we think will be the most entertaining night out we possibly can. We have listed what we plan to run right now but we are also working to include more Formula 2 speedway, fun and games with the ‘Chicken Chasers’ and hopefully riders demonstrating the well-established Flat Track racing discipline. Spectators can be sure that every night will be packed with family entertainment from start to finish. We will be unveiling our Warrior team members shortly. They will be operating at a level slightly above the 2019 National League standard. The Warrior riders that have been chosen can’t wait to get started. Our attention now turns to the Wizards team and we fully expect to name some familiar and popular faces that we will coach, guide and provide with plenty of track time to aid with their racing technique. We also can’t wait to welcome our Smallbrook regulars as well as the many visitors from around the country who have been so encouraging and supportive of our new venture. Our media colleagues, social media platforms and website will be updated with all the breaking news as it happens and so I would ask all supporters to keep a close eye out for the latest information and as always we will be happy to hear from those with any questions via email to speedwayontheisland@yahoo.co.uk ”. Fixtures: 24th June Island Master Round 1 (Individual Meeting) Plus Wizards Team Challenge (opposition to be confirmed) Plus Pee Wee bike and Youth Development races (bikes up to 160 cc) 1st July Warriors Team Challenge v Reading Plus Motors Challenge (Jawa v GM) Plus Pee Wee bike and Youth Development races (bikes up to 160 cc) 8th July US Style ‘Handicap’ Individual Meeting Plus Sidecars and Formula 2 speedway Plus Pee Wee bike and Youth Development races (bikes up to 160 cc) 15th July Best Pairs Plus Wizards Team Challenge (opposition to be confirmed) Plus Formula 2 speedway Plus Pee Wee bike and Youth Development races (bikes up to 160 cc) 22nd July Warriors Team Challenge v Weymouth Plus Motors Challenge (GM v Weslake) Plus Pee Wee bike and Youth Development races (bikes up to160 cc) 29th July Warriors Team Challenge v Oxford Plus Wizards Team Challenge (opposition to be confirmed) Plus Pee Wee bike and Youth Development races (bikes up to 160 cc) 5th Aug Island Master Round 2 (Individual Meeting) Plus Wizards Team Challenge (opposition to be confirmed) Plus Pee Wee bike and YouthDevelopment races (bikes up to 160 cc) 12th Aug Warrior Team Challenge v Cradley Plus Motors Challenge (Jawa v Weslake) Plus Pee Wee bike and Youth Development (bikes up to 160 cc) 19th Aug US Style ‘Handicap’ Individual Meeting Plus ‘Yesteryears’ On Track Plus Formula 2 speedway Plus Pee Wee bike and Youth Development races (bikes up to 160 cc) 24th Aug Warriors Team Challenge (opposition to be confirmed) Plus Wizards Team Challenge (opposition to be confirmed) Plus Pee Wee bike and Youth Development races (bikes up to 160cc) 2nd Sept Island Master Round 3 (Individual Meeting) Plus Wizards Team Challenge (opposition to be confirmed) Plus Pee Wee bike and Youth Development races (bikes up to 160 cc)

As we announced we had discussion with Thiery from the French league and we continue to explore that route and what is possible, but while waiting to see how far that could progress we of course had to put a season in place for 2021. It is this basis that we look forward now, and if we can develop further with France happy days. France as you may know currently has terrible Covid, so this is another factor is the challenge. Keep safe all

Just seen that... I will havea word with them and find out. Thanks for the note.

Rebellious..... interesting.... Very hard to rebel against an organisation that dictates and doesnt communicate or even want to communicate with clubs that their decisions directly affect while having little or no consequence on their own business.... perhaps you meant standing up for ourselves and not allowing ourselves to be bullied in to joining something imposed upon us? We will see what happens in the future then we can look back and see. As a side note, none of our meetings planned on the IOW in 2021 will involve "league" racing.

It’s the “Warriors Shale Track Racing Club” The Wightlink Warriors today announce the launch of the “Warriors Shale Track Racing Club” which will encompass all racing events staged at the Smallbrook Stadium. The club, which will be open for membership, will offer riders of all ages and ability the opportunity to participate in many different race classes on the country's largest shale circuit. Warriors Shale Track Racing Club Co-owner Barry Bishop said, “Martin and I are delighted to be able to extend the reach of shale track racing to a far greater rider and fan base than ever before with the support of NORA Motorsport. We will now be able to develop riders in many different shale track classes and incorporate them into our fabulous summer spectacular race series. Again, we cannot wait to welcome fans, riders and sponsors once more to Smallbrook for a non-stop feast of entertainment and further details will be released in due course.

Tonight at 7pm it’s the Wightlink September Spectacular for your viewing pleasures. Don’t miss the fun and games of the end of season meeting with special thanks to Andy Hague from the brilliant Speedway Portal https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZwzPkEo04&feature=youtu.be

I am not sure if you are aware but Rob Godfrey, promoter of Scunthorpe, is also the Chairman of the Board of the BSPL. So that would suggest that they do have their ear to the board because he is in charge of it...

Hi there, I dont know who you are because sadly people on here say things under a Pseudonym, which is unfortunate, and I therefore have no idea who you are nor if you have attended a NL AGM (or any Speedway AGM). If you did attend the NL AGM, then you are clearly trying to cover up the real reason for the reduced limit and this is costs, costs, costs as the chairman shouted across the AGM room at the gathered NL Chairmen (we are not officially promoters) back in 2019. If you didnt attend it, then I you have a right to think as you please, but I can assure you the NL will develop the riders for the CL whatever the points limit. Ego.... absolutely not. Standing up for ourselves so at to not be treated as we (and others promoters) have been treated. To say it is wrong to be treated in such a way, to say that we will not allow it was absolutely the right decision to take. As you say it has been said and will continue to be said - you will note the BSPL do not deny it - in any way. They will not of course. French League please call Thierry Bouin and ask him... he can update you if he thinks it is a "media stunt".... one thing I have learnt in live us undersell and over deliver so if I had nothing other than positive reactions there is no way I would a, make a right Charlie of myself and look a fool to our fans, sponsors and riders and b, annoy the league we want to join. So there is nothing but the truth in all that is said and we very much hope to be part of their league. Finally, it is heartbreaking to leave the NDL, we have been part of its success, people love their trips to the island, the IOW actually has improved the overall show at most tracks in the UK... ask them.... they tell me they actively watch us... and that was recognised by the many award we have won. Regards returning to the NL.. the answer remains a firm no unless the leadership changes. Although of course as they concluded in their final email from the office admin, were Martin and I wish to bring the Warriors back we would be treated as a new joiner, have to pay a joining fee and have no vote..... it is a pity this was not employed for all the new joiners to the 2021 NL. Keep safe and keep the debate. All the best Barry

Warriors will be on Meridian tonight at 6.15 ... Tune in

Speedway a new way PLANS are going ahead for a summer of speedway racing on the Isle of Wight as Co-owners Barry Bishop and Martin Widman have revealed that they will put on a series of sizzling summer spectaculars at the Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde. The Wightlink Warriors and Wizards withdrew from the National League and Midland and Southern Development League respectively, last month after being faced with what they believe was an impossible situation when the board of the British Speedway Promoters Limited imposed rules without consultation and slashed the overall team strengths to what the island’s promoters considered an unviable level. But fears that it meant an end to the sport on the island have been removed with today’s official announcement that there will be a full programme of two wheeled speedway action this summer. Bishop and Widman resurrected the sport on the island in 2016 and turned the Warriors into the most talked about club in the country, winning the prestigious World Speedway Riders’ Association Community Club of the Year for an unprecedented two years in a row in 2018 and 2019. Giving just enough to get fans excited, co-owner Barry Bishop said: “As you can imagine it has been a very busy time for Martin and I to get ourselves into a position where we can update everyone in the direction we are taking the club. “We have received tremendous support from all over the world on this and we cannot wait to implement the faith shown in us by so many. We have to thank everyone who has supported us to move this forward following our withdrawal from league racing, and it is this support and belief in the vision that will drive the project forward. “With the help of so many, I am delighted to confirm that there will be speedway in 2021 at Smallbrook Stadium and we know you will be thrilled with what’s coming.” “We are working hard to have a full calendar of events and in addition to those, we have already staged preliminary talks with two international bodies, one of which is the French League, and while there are many challenges to overcome, our initial conversations have been very positive and well received. “With a spectacular season ahead full of innovation, fun, technology and pride, we cannot wait to get started and welcome our fans, sponsors and supporters back to the club.” The news will delight the island’s fans and those from the mainland who visit Smallbrook Stadium regularly during the summer months and for those further away who plan their holidays to coincide with meetings. Added Bishop: “As soon as we are in a position to announce full details of what we are planning we will do so and Martin and I are both convinced that we will be putting on speedway in a new and different way which will give those who come to a meeting at Smallbrook one of the best night’s entertainment they have ever had. Our policy has always been to put the supporters first and that has been at the very forefront of our minds ever since we had to take the decision not to compete in the National League this year.”

The problem is it ALWAYS has been a training league that delivered riders at a greater rate to the higher leagues than any other route. But what this has now become is a misguided, not thought through, imposition in order to "reduce" costs of reserve rider wages for higher leagues. That's the fact of it - remember we attended the 2020 AGM. Costs Costs Costs... Riders not wanting to go up because they were sitting pretty in a league that still delivered riders to the higher leagues year on year on year, yet managed to provide a product and standard close to the CL enabling that step up to happen (not in all cases).... but now, lets get down to real business .... Even when the higher leagues can have the riders for their teams how many do they actually employ....and it will have been even less before the young stars program ??

FEEDBACK FEEDBACK FEEDBACK We have received many messages, emails and letters over the years and here is one of the latest. We are always proud to receive them and this one says exactly what we are all about - what our club stands for. I share this with you today as it is addressed to us all but also highlights the brilliant work of Andy Hague (a true unsung hero of the club) along with Ken Burnett and Ian Groves who one way or another produced such great work that has kept speedway fans across the world entertained while showcasing our club and the Isle of Wight. This email truly highlights Andy’s selfless work to continue to push the sport of speedway out there at the most difficult of time and he must be congratulated for his unrivalled determination to keep our club, speedway and Speedway Portal keeping all speedway fans entertained, every week, without fail. So Andy from Martin Widman and I - thank you Sir. Everyone have a read and be very proud.... To All of you lovely people at Warriors Speedway, We are so sorry that there will be no competitive speedway on the island this year. Since lockdown my wife & I have lost both our Mums (one to Covid) & have been unable to travel to our favourite sport. Yet on a weekly basis Isle of Wight speedway have provided us with our weekly `fix` of speedway action. This has been most uplifting to both of us & has helped us to combat ours loses. And taken us away to the Island for an hour or so. To this extent we both feel part of your crowd base. And were actually hoping to take in a meeting or two after deciding to take a holiday on the Island once the lockdown is lifted. I have already inked in my diary thursday`s your 2019 match with Mildenhall on Youtube. Hopefully, you will be in a position to run our fantastic sport in 2022. Thank you to everyone involved in providing their time & energy to always put on great show of entertainment every week. Isle of Wight Speedway have done the most of ALL the clubs during lockdown to keep British Speedway, our wonderful sport in the forefront of our minds. We feel so sad for all those supporters who will miss out this season. Our local track Swindon are also not running but we are in a location where we can visit other tracks with reasonable ease. To you all we say "Thank you, take care & stay safe" Kind regards

FEEDBACK FEEDBACK FEEDBACK We have received many messages, emails and letters over the years and here is one of the latest. We are always proud to receive them and this one says exactly what we are all about - what our club stands for. I share this with you today as it is addressed to us all but also highlights the brilliant work of Andy Hague (a true unsung hero of the club) along with Ken Burnett and Ian Groves who one way or another produced such great work that has kept speedway fans across the world entertained while showcasing our club and the Isle of Wight. This email truly highlights Andy’s selfless work to continue to push the sport of speedway out there at the most difficult of time and he must be congratulated for his unrivalled determination to keep our club, speedway and Speedway Portal keeping all speedway fans entertained, every week, without fail. So Andy from Martin Widman and I - thank you Sir. Everyone have a read and be very proud.... To All of you lovely people at Warriors Speedway, We are so sorry that there will be no competitive speedway on the island this year. Since lockdown my wife & I have lost both our Mums (one to Covid) & have been unable to travel to our favourite sport. Yet on a weekly basis Isle of Wight speedway have provided us with our weekly `fix` of speedway action. This has been most uplifting to both of us & has helped us to combat ours loses. And taken us away to the Island for an hour or so. To this extent we both feel part of your crowd base. And were actually hoping to take in a meeting or two after deciding to take a holiday on the Island once the lockdown is lifted. I have already inked in my diary thursday`s your 2019 match with Mildenhall on Youtube. Hopefully, you will be in a position to run our fantastic sport in 2022. Thank you to everyone involved in providing their time & energy to always put on great show of entertainment every week. Isle of Wight Speedway have done the most of ALL the clubs during lockdown to keep British Speedway, our wonderful sport in the forefront of our minds. We feel so sad for all those supporters who will miss out this season. Our local track Swindon are also not running but we are in a location where we can visit other tracks with reasonable ease. To you all we say "Thank you, take care & stay safe" Kind regards

In my view its so outdated and would not stand up legally. Self employed workers, not paid a retainer (as far as i know) kept on a companies books with inflated values, in the hope that the contract owner can get a "loan fee" or of course add value to their overall company value... And of course... once you leave guess who owns any assets..... you got it BSPL

What do you all think about all the clubs that have two teams contracting with riders, who are of NL standard, as assets whereas Mildenhall (and any other future standalone club) may not do so...... Another total travesty in my view.

Thats correct...but if you recall the BSPL, well you may not know... but when Peter Morrish stopped being the NDL C there were several applications but the current one somehow got it, he then left and went to Newcastle, left Newcastle and somehow got back in after leaving the league... we of course had no say in who the coordinator should have been....

Actually, he is there to coordinate the league, not implement change of his own accord or that of the Directors. It has, and should have been in 2021, always been a vote based system of discussion, approval and implementation of changes by vote at NL AGMs. Unless his duties and responsibilities have changed - ie fixture setting, shared event date setting and so on, he must not, certainly not in my view anyway, get involved in any way with team selections, point limits, rule changes, nothing - he just observes the rules are adhered to and coordinates fixtures.

Reply to the BSPL Chairman's and NL Coordinator's comments in this weeks Speedway Star. Hi all, Take your time reading this as it’s a long one and please read the article too. I feel we must respond to the article below in this week’s Speedway Star, not to cause confrontation but it is very clear that the BSPL and National League Co-ordinator still do not understand why Martin and I took the decision to leave the NL and BSPL. So here goes. It is correct to state that we do not agree with the 35 point limit, but more importantly we do not agree with how this limit was imposed on the league without discussion or agreement of the NL members at an AGM or any other meeting. It is also true to say that during the 2019 NL AGM, the Chairman of the BSPL in heated discussion about the then attempt to reduce the points limit from 39 to 37, told NL clubs “well it’s coming, the NL will revert to like the Conference League”…. And that was it, it was a statement of change, not a method to change and how that method would be achieved. It is not true to say that we were made aware of what was happening before 2021. At the 2019 NL AGM, yes, we were told, as detailed in the NL AGM minutes that the Chairman reiterated that the league will be tailored more to a development league but being a development league does not mean you must reduce the point limit. Even with a year of no racing, so time to discuss plans, theorise how to implement any such changes that were in place, the next time there was any communication on how the NL will be run was in February 2021 when we received an email with the following statement in “The Board of Directors have discussed, at length, the NDL and agreed the following changes to the current regulations …… regulations listed” and finished with “if you wish to participate in the NDL with these regulations please respond so that you can participate in a zoom call to discuss who will be taking part and NL fixtures…” There was no option to ask questions, which we obviously wanted to do, just a simple statement of are you in or out. None the less, we did ask some questions. We asked if the practice of the Board of Directors deciding the rules will continue at the end of this season. Response – could not confirm this but would look to league members to have an input going forward. We asked if Mr. Len Silver attended any meetings in which this was discussed – no answer. We asked if we had additional restrictions on the IOW like fewer ferry crossings and could not fulfil our fixtures that we would not be fined –Response - that could not be guaranteed. So, you see while we do not believe in the 35 point limit, equally we were not allowed to discuss it, buy in to it, share our opinion as to why it could have a terrible effect on our business, offer advice as a club that runs NL speedway how we think it should be. If we had, and still did not agree with 35 points, we probably would be still in the BSPL with our license on hold looking forward. Furthermore, the 35 points limit is a perceived short-term fix and yet it has clearly increased the number of mid average riders being pushed out of the league just when they need to push on with more competitive racing to step up to CL standard and when all the teams are announced, how many new riders are introduced this year who were not already named in 2020 line-ups? The article states “the points limit was the will of every PL/CL promoter to implement these changes” – will the Chairman prove that? And if it is the case - doesn’t this mean clubs who’s second team are NL should not be included due to conflict of interest? Will he also prove that the NL representative Mr Len Silver attended, or was invited to attend these meetings during which the NL was discussed, as per the reason for creating that position, and if he was why wasn’t these messages passed on to NL members. Let us now analyse why were we told in 2019 about the desire to change but heard nothing about the method of change until just before we had to agree to it to be involved. As we said earlier during the 2019 NL AGM, it was said that there was a requirement to bring the league to be more like the Conference League. However, at the time the reasoning for change had nothing to do with rider development and everything to do with wage costs for those riders exiting the NL and going up to the CL. Why? In the National League a rider can earn X but, in the Championship, unless that rider has a guarantee he may well earn less. Meaning NL riders looking to progress to the higher leagues (and leave the NL with no double-up) ideally need a guaranteed amount to be able to do so. This “guarantee” is not out of greed but so as to not affect their income as they turn professional and stepping away from semi-professional/amateur. The problem with this is we were told CL clubs feel this level of pay is too high for them to commit to provide a comparable income. So, in short the plan was to take semi-professional riders, make their status professional to earn less. Our view is that any points limit change has in reality nothing to do with producing riders at all because the NL has done (and will continue to do) a great job in this regard plus natural talent will make it regardless of a NL or not. So if we now look to the view of costs, the only way to reduce cost is to have more supply than demand (more riders than jobs) and you achieve this by encouraging new clubs and teams to join with a structure of development – Speedway School, MDL, NL, CL, PL plus of course the Youth Series and amateur tracks. What you don’t do is cut off the very supply of your next riders. Let’s also touch on Kent and Plymouth applying to go up in the Championship because of the NL changes. As far as we know, this is not true. Neither club would have known the changes to be implemented as they were only decided and communicated in February. Kent have stated for some years, depending on planning, it had been their wish to go up and Plymouth applied in 2020 only to be denied, before any changes were imposed or decided, before a successful application this year following Somersets exit. Then there is the comment that PL/CL clubs subsidise the NL. This has been a bone of contention at every AGM we have attended and at every NL AGM, especially requested by Mr. Len Silver an explanation of this statement was requested and never supplied. They say the NL has reduced BSPL Fees – true, but standalone clubs are not full members only Associates Members and receive no TV money (so now the only club in the sport to receive no TV money is Mildenhall). They state we have reduced referee’s fees. That is true, but these are charged by the SCB not the BSPL and it is the referee’s contribution to grassroots league speedway. They will say our insurance is cheaper – again true, but only because the benefits are much less than in the other two leagues. So, please, if as the BSPL say they subsidise the NL – tell us how so that clubs can understand the valuable contribution it makes to the sport, because the answers we have been given at the AGMs we attended stated it was because: That’s why you don’t get TV money, It pays for your fee reduction, You get it cheaper because you are Associates and don’t have full membership rights… the list of “reasons” goes on. The new National League at 35 points will develop riders, for sure it will, but it will not develop any more than it always has. So why would Martin and I let decisions imposed upon us, that will not produce more riders moving into the Championship than previous years, risk our business, our product, our fans entertainment, and our credibility? There is no just reason, because the only benefit is the perceived view that CL will start to pay less for their reserves, which if doubling up to the National League is prevented, has a very low likelihood of being a successful strategy. Our view is, if the BSPL truly wanted to develop they would have invested a percentage of the TV money (and other revenue streams) into the grassroots and youth of the sport instead of spending on ever increasing wage bills. For example, if you look at the US and its new stimulus package, everyone who works in finance expects the result of this to be inflation solely because there is extra money in everyone’s pocket to spend. Now back to our sport, the BSPL announce they have a TV deal and what happens? Wage expectation goes up because clubs have cash to spend when the BSPL should investing in youth, stadia (invest in an asset and build the sport on it), promotion, advertising but our sport spends it on short term, “quick wins” and investment that has zero return for the organisation. They could also make commitments in higher leagues to have 3 riders for example under 21, or an experience restriction in the NL for example number of meetings at certain levels, or every UK club staging second halves, but restrict the travel to get there to encourage more local riders and for sure, bring back nomadic clubs in the MDL. The last thing to say on this report…. Where in the report is there any reference to you the fans, to your night out, to your club, to your investment both financially and emotionally? Do you feel like you have been taken into consideration with the new league? All the best and Tomorrow will be a better day Barry and Martin.

Send me a message with your address and I am sure I can sort you a couple out

Why would a change in points limit prevent the other teams from entering the NDL, if this league is solely about development, and in most cases all the meeting of new comers are double header meetings? As I wrote it is because this is not about development because the NDL will always develop riders it is about wage cuts for those riders who go up a league. The same old story.....instead of taking your product and building the fanbase the answer is always to cost cut. Never in my life have I known any business to prosper and grow by cost cutting the core product. Perhaps you didnt read the article in the speedway star for which this response was for, as if that was a meeting to discuss these revised rules, new entrants, we could have bought in to it, accepted it, decided if or if not it was for us and we would still be in the BSPL and looking forward to either racing or putting our license on hold until 2022. But this was not the case - it was all imposed, last minute despite over a year in which to discuss it. Now friends, no business, no organisation, not even my Sea Cadet group would behave in such a rubbish way. This is not leadership this is a haphazard last minute approach to the most import league in speedway. (just my view here) Why should team promotions like Poole, Kings Lynn, Sheffield, Glasgow who have no NL teams, be allowed to vote on NL business? At the end of the day the BSPL have failed in protecting one of its businesses, one of its core responsibilities - the Isle of Wight, it has lost a member and access to a track. Additionally, all new clubs, to any league, may NOT in the first year, at least, vote on any league business - this is why the rules were imposed because they knew that there is no way IOW, Kent, BV, Plymouth (if still there) and Mildenhall would accept this way of running the league. Len Silver should have been invited to every meeting (as per the rules) that involved conversation of the NDL as the leagues representative - stand alone clubs are not permitted to attend such meetings as we are only associates. He was invited to any such meetings. Regards going up... we were told in 2019, that clubs would be invited to attend the 2020/2021Pre-AGM of the CL to see if it was for us, of course this invitation did not arrive. Kent have wanted to go up for years subject to planning and Plymouth applied to go up in 2020 but were not accepted (wrongly in my view) and they reapplied in 2021 and were let in whem Somerset pulled out. Stay safe one and all, and I hpoe you enjoy the season ahead.

Hi, We have posted on our FB page a response to the most recent interviews with the NL Coordinator and BSPL Chairman in this weeks Speedway Star. All the best and stay safe friends, Barry

Hi Everyone, Thanks for your comments and posts which I appreciate and read with great interest. I would like to say that in order to have a virtually amateur 3rd tier of speedway it needs to be either funded by the governing body or the governing body wave all its charges. The issue to put on any speedway meeting under the BSPL is that it is now a business and as a business it has have revenue and directors must act in the best interest of that business. How does the BSPL raise revenue? Through match fees, sales of rights (TV) and sponsorship. What do clubs have to pay excluding travel and riders points money and assume that all staff volunteer.... well BSPA Fees, SC license fees, Referee Fees, Insurance, Fixed insurance, Medical ambulance, Medical Paramedic plus advertising budget, program and so on.... so with everything before the plus.. for the IOW to stage speedway it is £1325.... oh then there is stadium rental on top of that too and this is before we can advertise, pay a rider home and away........ So let's look at the options for NL in my view to make it work. 1. Purely amateur (no paid riders as in motocross) and BSPL use money from TV deals to cover all costs associated with putting the meeting on. Entry for fans for say £5 and perhaps cover the clubs stadium rental. 2. Purely amateur and riders pay to enter (to cover costs would mean each rider for a 7 rider team had to pay £94.60 home and away) and the club is responsible for all costs which then raises some revenue for BSPL - Entry for fans for say £5 and perhaps cover the clubs stadium rental. 3. Structured pay scales, proper sellable product, with fans prepared to be entertained, a real structure to move forward, step by step progress, a club to be proud of. My personal view is the only one able to work is number 3... 1 and 2 will always be seen as an overhead and the same as the current push toward second teams in double headers. My fear is that 7 riders teams will be reduced to 5, then 4 and guess what we are back 20 years but without riders and promoters who want to support it. As for Buxton being drawn back in to the league... the opportunity is there but not taken, and I understand will not be either. As always keep safe and stay positive. All the best Barry

Club Statement: ‘Wightlink’ Warriors Withdraw from the National League and the British Speedway Promoters Limited (BSPL) It is with much regret that Isle of Wight speedway promoters, Barry Bishop and Martin Widman, have made the unpalatable and heart-breaking decision to withdraw its Associate Membership of the BSPL and as a result the ‘Wightlink’ Warriors and Wizards will not be participating in the National League or Midland & Southern Development League this year. The decision wasn’t an easy one to make but after much correspondence, it became clear that the new rules being imposed by the BSPL Board of Directors on to the National League were not right for the ‘Wightlink’ Warriors in 2021. It is terrible news for everyone associated with the club and for those at Smallbrook Stadium. So many volunteers, sponsors, officials and riders have worked tirelessly together to ensure that speedway on the Isle of Wight became the multi-award winning fun family experience and a pleasure to visit. Now the promoters need some time to focus their thoughts about the future and whilst the decision will mean no league speedway at Smallbrook for this year, it does not signal the end of motor cycling activities, initially starting with speedway training as soon as the current restrictions allow. Finally, Martin and Barry want to thank you all for the tremendous support you have given the club since speedway returned to the Isle of Wight and they look forward to seeing you all again very soon.