IOW 2020

[barrybishop]

OFFICIAL BACKING FOR WIGHTLINK WARRIORS
 
 
The Isle of Wight Shale Track Racing Club has been given the green light to push ahead with their summer of sensational two wheeled sport.

Warriors’ bosses Martin Widman and Barry Bishop are celebrating and relieved after the British Speedway Promoters’ Limited (BSPL) Board of Directors backed their plans for a full programme of events at Ryde’s Smallbrook Stadium.

Warriors’ co-owner Barry Bishop revealed: “Martin (Widman) and I are absolutely delighted to have secured the support of the BSPL for 2021 which goes some way to easing the pain of the last months.

The Island club withdrew from the National Development League (NDL) and the BSPL earlier this year after a fall-out over decisions made over the NDL’s future which, they believed, impacted severely on speedway’s future at Smallbrook, however the co-owners affiliated to the Island club to the NORA Motorsport organisation who licence clubs and riders in a variety of different forms of off-road disciplines on two and four wheels. Bishop added:

“We have received an email that confirmed ‘at a recent Board meeting the Directors and the BSP Ltd discussed your advertised amateur events.....The BSP fully support you running amateur and practice events with Nora 92.’

“In my view this is a huge step forward for the Isle of Wight and the sport in general. We are of course saddened that we had to leave the Speedway Control Board (SCB) and BSPL but we feel this is a good start to improving our relationship with each other for the betterment of the sport, our riders, fans and overall product.

“Martin and I, along with I am sure everyone else associated with our club, fully welcome their decision and we have informed the SCB, Auto-Cycle Union and BSPL of the amateur NL standard team we intend to have, that BSPL fixtures will be given priority over ours in the event of a fixture clash, and that we remain fully open to an SCB/ACU track inspection at any time that will enable the Isle of Wight to host the fantastic Great Britain Young Lions training camp in February annually and a round of the ACU British 1000cc Sidecar Championships should either express an interest to use Smallbrook Stadium.

“Now we fully look forward to opening on Thursday, June 24 with an excellent season ahead, and we wish everyone involved in speedway and shale track racing the most wonderful of seasons and I implore all fans to get behind their clubs in 2021.”

The Warriors have already announced an 11-meeting season, racing every Thursday (with one Tuesday exception) between June 24 and September 2.

Events will include five National League level challenge matches; three rounds of the Island Masters Championship, two American-style handicap meetings and a Best Pairs.

In additional to conventional speedway there will be additional attractions at every meeting, including sidecars, Formula 2 speedway, youth events for riders aged from 5 to 16, and challenges between riders on a variety of different engines, both lay-down and upright.

Full information on the calendar of meetings is available at www.warriorsspeedway.com

 

[Dickie Head]

In the previous post, Barry Bishop indicated that the Warriors had official backing to operate in 2021.

This is an extract from his Facebook page today:  Real shame for all at Somerset - we know exactly their pain... and yet still others want to prevent us running. Truly now is the time to stand up and be counted.

So has official permission been withdrawn, who are these ‘others’ (ACU/SCB/BSPL?), what are the obstacles and is the 2021 season on the Island now in doubt?

Perhaps Barry could provide an update please.

[Chris116]

22 hours ago, Dickie Head said:

In the previous post, Barry Bishop indicated that the Warriors had official backing to operate in 2021.

This is an extract from his Facebook page today:  Real shame for all at Somerset - we know exactly their pain... and yet still others want to prevent us running. Truly now is the time to stand up and be counted.

So has official permission been withdrawn, who are these ‘others’ (ACU/SCB/BSPL?), what are the obstacles and is the 2021 season on the Island now in doubt?

Perhaps Barry could provide an update please.

The quote appears to have vanished!

I am very interested in what is happening with the Warriors as I want to visit at least twice during the season but currently a day trip is not possible due to the sponsors cancelling the boat that runs after the end of the meeting. 

[Halifaxtiger]

9 hours ago, Chris116 said:

The quote appears to have vanished!

I am very interested in what is happening with the Warriors as I want to visit at least twice during the season but currently a day trip is not possible due to the sponsors cancelling the boat that runs after the end of the meeting. 

Its on Barry's own Facebook page (not the Warriors one) and as far as I can see its still there.

The late evening catamaran seems to have been cancelled but the 11.00pm car ferry still runs. Knowing what the club is like, I'd be very surprised if they did not put some alternative arrangement in place to ensure that those travelling from the mainland can still make it. 

I have no doubt that just as soon as it is reasonable to clarify the situation we will hear something.  

[Chris116]

5 hours ago, Halifaxtiger said:

Its on Barry's own Facebook page (not the Warriors one) and as far as I can see its still there.

The late evening catamaran seems to have been cancelled but the 11.00pm car ferry still runs. Knowing what the club is like, I'd be very surprised if they did not put some alternative arrangement in place to ensure that those travelling from the mainland can still make it. 

I have no doubt that just as soon as it is reasonable to clarify the situation we will hear something.  

I use the ferry to catch a train back to Wimbledon so I hope that things change soon. The club are always so welcoming that I would hate to miss out due to the catamaran being cancelled. 

[barrybishop]

WIGHTLINK WARRIORS SUMMER SPECTACULARS AT RISK

After the incredible support shown to the Wightlink Warriors following their withdrawal from speedway's National League (NL), news that the plans for the summer spectacular of racing are at risk will come as a huge blow to many fans across the UK, and especially our loyal fans and supporters on the Isle of Wight. The reason is not Covid this time, or a lack of interest, but it's a lack of suitable riders who are concerned at the threat of possible sanctions.

Warriors Co-owner Barry Bishop explained, "After the news that the Directors of the British Speedway Promoters would allow amateur status riders to come to the Isle of Wight to participate in our events, everyone associated with the club was delighted, and the feedback from the public was that it was a great move for the sport and rider development. With riders literally chomping at the bit to ride on the Island to improve their skills, get more track time and competitive racing under their belts, we now find that the BSPL appear to view the NL riders contractually in the same way as Premiership and Championship riders even though NL riders are classed as amateur and not professional, with clubs stopping riders from coming to the Island. If you recall, we were delighted that a way forward with the BSPL was found as the NL has always been presented as amateur with riders being paid effectively expenses but this, we are told now is not the case and NL riders have the same professional status as Premier and Championship riders.

To be honest the threats being made to some riders should they come to the Island are really very sad to see ranging from receiving bans or fines for stepping into the stadium (to support us) to participating in a meeting that "could lead to a ban or a fine" - and even practising at Smallbrook could incur the same measures being imposed which is in complete contradiction to what the regulating body have told us. Only yesterday, another new reason for refusing permission to ride emerged when the charging of entrance fees and payment of riders became an issue. With full medical cover and ferry costs to meet, along with all the other costs of a stadium, why wouldn't we charge spectators to watch an evening of entertainment?

The future now is unclear with riders being prevented from racing by rules that the BSPL clubs and riders do not appear to be aware of - there is no defined statement. The Warriors are being prevented from entertaining our fans which will include some of the expected large number of holidaymakers this year, and our sport overall goes a little further downhill.

In an ideal world, there needs to be a public statement from the Speedway Control Bureau (SCB)/BSPL immediately telling riders what the rule is with regards to coming to the island as even non contracted riders are hesitating about coming over. All BSPL riders are self-employed and permission from their promoters to do other events may not be unreasonably withheld and coming to the island would be in our view be no different than participating in a grass track, road race, motocross, banger racing, international events and other Nora events. It should not be the case of you can only do one or the other as riders are being told.

With the recent dreadful news of Somerset closing, we cannot understand why the BSPL would want to prevent riders racing, fans being entertained, sponsors being advertised, and another club prosper/saved. Perhaps it is the opposite they wish for?

We would like to say that we are happy to meet with the BSPL to discuss things; we have spoken to the SCB and Auto Cycle Union already. However, we are continuing to work on our options and are in constant dialogue with the teams that have committed to support us in Challenge matches and who in our view are vital to the future of the sport, and an update will be issued as soon as more information is available and a revised start date”.

[ch958]

because you snubbed them and they're big babies who clearly don't have the sport's interest at heart. Get the French guys over, run a few French league fixtures like the American football does at Wembley. 

[barrybishop]

Wightlink Warriors Summer Spectacular Season Is Go!   Fixture List for 2021

It’s been a while coming but Shale Track action will be returning to the Smallbrook Stadium as Martin Widman, Barry Bishop and former Wightlink Wizard Ben Ilsley supported by their dedicated team of volunteers are delighted to announce there will be a magnificent SEVEN meetings taking place during the Isle of Wight Summer Spectacular shale racing season – almost all in the major holiday weeks.

The seven amateur meetings outlined in the fixture programme below - some of which will be in a team format featuring sides from across the UK – will include other motorcycle disciplines including a three round Island Masters individual competition.
The action kicks off on Thursday July 22nd with Round One of the Island Masters that will feature 12 riders in a Grand Prix style meeting, along with Pee Wee bike action and 125cc youth races plus Category B 500cc speedway team racing with the Wightlink Wizards.
The Wightlink Warriors have planned a bumper action-packed kick-off meeting and there will be no shortage of great entertainment. The programme for the whole season is designed to be as entertaining as possible with every meeting filled to the brim with motorcycle action, fun, and family entertainment.

Co-owner Martin Widman said, "We are absolutely delighted to finally announce the seasons’ entertainment for summer 2021. It's been a real struggle as we faced up to new challenges almost every day, but we have navigated a way through them and we are confident of providing "top drawer" entertainment for all the family. Barry and I would like to thank Ben for coming onboard to help with the Island Masters Series which features some top-class riders from the world of grass and long track racing, and we could not have done that without him, but we also want to pay a special tribute to our volunteers who, despite all the problems going on behind the scenes, have been steadfast in getting the stadium perfect and ready for the season. We hope that their efforts will be well rewarded with the action we have prepared for everyone, and we cannot wait to see all our old friends and lots of new ones."

Here is the fixture list and the Club hope to add more fun motorcycle disciplines too such as the infamous ‘Chicken Chasing’ mopeds:

July 22nd Island Masters Round 1, plus a Wizards team match, Pee Wee bikes and 125cc youth races
July 29th Warriors V Oxford V Cradley team challenge also featuring Uprights GM v Weslake, Pee Wee bikes and 125cc youth races
Aug 5th Island Masters Round 2, plus a Wizards team match, Pee Wee bikes and 125cc youth races
Aug 12th Warriors V Oxford V Cradley revenge challenge also featuring Uprights Jawa v Weslake, Ladies Match Race, Pee Wee bikes and 125cc youth races
Aug 19th Individual Handicap Speedway plus ‘The Old Boys On Track’, Pee Wee bikes and 125 youth races
Aug 24th Warriors V Oxford V Cradley ‘Final Showdown’ team challenge also featuring Uprights Jawa v GM, Pee Wee bikes and 125cc youth races
Sept 2nd Island Masters Round 3 plus a Wizards team match, Pee Wee bikes and 125cc youth races

Admission pricing will be announced shortly.

[Chris116]

I am very pleased that a new fixture list has been released and racing will be taking place at Smallbrook Stadium but sad to see that it has not been possible to keep the sidecars in the fixture list. 

Now I have to hope that Wightlink and South Western Railway reinstate the late evening services so that it is possible for me to get home to Wimbledon after the racing. 

[topsoil]

That fixture list does nothing for me, I'd far rather see a league campaign. Different opponents each week and my own team to follow is far more attractive to me.

[Great Central]

11 hours ago, topsoil said:

That fixture list does nothing for me, I'd far rather see a league campaign. Different opponents each week and my own team to follow is far more attractive to me.

And yes wouldn't most people like to see a league campaign but the fault does not lie with Barry and myself, but firmly at the doors of the BSPL Board of Directors who imposed rules on our operation without any consultation or agreement. You try running a business with your hands tied behind your back with all the financial risk being yours. The current situation is far from ideal but a number of people believed in what we were doing this year and we have tried to be loyal to them in the best way possible by coming up with this programme of meetings. Yes there are some omissions but our season has been curtailed by bodies not operating in the best interests of the sport so it is shorter than was anticipated. Apologies if the programme doesn't suit you personally but we are trying our best to put on events that will please and entertain, and will also aid the development of the riders who come through our training sessions.   

Martin Widman

Co Promoter Wight Warriors 

[Sings4Speedway]

12 hours ago, topsoil said:

That fixture list does nothing for me, I'd far rather see a league campaign. Different opponents each week and my own team to follow is far more attractive to me.

Everybody is entitled to their differing views on what Speedway should offer that is one of the things that makes it great and also one of the reasons why its currently in such a mess. The fixture list is likely not how Martin & Barry want it either but given the short notice and restrictions they have faced it looks decent enough to me and great to action on track this year which hopefully means in years to come also. If you fancy a Speedway reset give the Handicap meeting a try as it guarantees interesting racing in every heat. 

[Great Central]

2 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said:

Everybody is entitled to their differing views on what Speedway should offer that is one of the things that makes it great and also one of the reasons why its currently in such a mess. The fixture list is likely not how Martin & Barry want it either but given the short notice and restrictions they have faced it looks decent enough to me and great to action on track this year which hopefully means in years to come also. If you fancy a Speedway reset give the Handicap meeting a try as it guarantees interesting racing in every heat. 

Thank you so much for those much for those kind words of support. They mean a lot to us in these difficult times. . 

[Mimmo]

5 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said:

Everybody is entitled to their differing views on what Speedway should offer that is one of the things that makes it great and also one of the reasons why its currently in such a mess. The fixture list is likely not how Martin & Barry want it either but given the short notice and restrictions they have faced it looks decent enough to me and great to action on track this year which hopefully means in years to come also. If you fancy a Speedway reset give the Handicap meeting a try as it guarantees interesting racing in every heat. 

I completely agree with you, quite how people can post negative comments regarding the fixture list I find quite surprising, when it's not even known what riders will be participating.

Yes, it's very different from the conventional team matches, but at the end of the day, it's still four riders turning left for 4-laps, giving it their all in the name of entertainment, something that is lacking at certain tracks in recent years.

If I lived on the island, they would get my 100% support every meeting, and if I was a holidaymaker the weeks they were running a meeting, they'd also get my 100% support.
In this day and age when British holidays are almost a thing of the past, 2021 is an exception to that rule, and if you check out the IOW website for things to do of an evening, you'll find nothing, with the exception of a theatre doing a show one night a week, and speedway, the only other thing on offer is if you take your family trolley racing round the aisles of Tesco at Ryde until 10.00pm.

The people that sit on the top table running our sport, have seemingly done everything in their power to close this forward thinking club down, and thanks to the determination of Messrs Bishop and Widman, have failed.

As many supporters round the country know, once their club closes down, seldom does it ever reopen, finishing up as a housing estate, or another supermarket.

So I hope it is a success for them, they've put a lot of time, effort and money, travelling from different parts of the mainland on almost a weekly basis to get the stadium into what looks a lovely venue to visit, and you have only got to check out the cost of the Wightlink Car Ferry, let alone the cost of fuel in reaching Portsmouth, in their determination to ensure that Smallbrook Stadium isn't added to the defunct tracks from 2022 onwards.

Bravo to all of you concerned.        

Edited June 29, 2021 by Mimmo

[mikebv]

6 hours ago, Great Central said:

And yes wouldn't most people like to see a league campaign but the fault does not lie with Barry and myself, but firmly at the doors of the BSPL Board of Directors who imposed rules on our operation without any consultation or agreement. You try running a business with your hands tied behind your back with all the financial risk being yours. The current situation is far from ideal but a number of people believed in what we were doing this year and we have tried to be loyal to them in the best way possible by coming up with this programme of meetings. Yes there are some omissions but our season has been curtailed by bodies not operating in the best interests of the sport so it is shorter than was anticipated. Apologies if the programme doesn't suit you personally but we are trying our best to put on events that will please and entertain, and will also aid the development of the riders who come through our training sessions.   

Martin Widman

Co Promoter Wight Warriors 

Best of luck to everyone down there..

Hope it is a success..

Lots of fans in the UK certainly admire and respect what you all do down there.. 

[cityrebel]

4 hours ago, Great Central said:

Thank you so much for those much for those kind words of support. They mean a lot to us in these difficult times. . 

Is the ferry situation likely to change, for us fans that use the fast cat on the mainland.

[Great Central]

41 minutes ago, cityrebel said:

Is the ferry situation likely to change, for us fans that use the fast cat on the mainland.

That is obviously of some concern to us and the reason for not having a late FastCat is currently because hospitality places aren't fully open yet. In fact some haven't opened at all like many around the country so according to Wightlink the demand isn't there. We are hoping for some good news when the Government hopefully decide to open up fully. 

[BobC]

Looks like I will be over a fair few times. 

Good luck with everything you do. 

[barrybishop]

DANNO VERGE RETURNS FOR THE WIGHTLINK WARRIORS SUMMER SPECTACULARS

Steve Piper, the Wightlink Warrior’s new Team Manager has wasted no time as he confirms that Danno Verge is the first rider to put his name forward as it was announced that speedway would return to Smallbrook Stadium on July 22nd and Piper was only too delighted to see him back for his home town club.

Talking about his first signing for the season Steve said, “I’m delighted that Danno has agreed to return to the Wightlink Warriors in 2021. We have three really important team matches against Cradley and Oxford and I said I wanted to put a team together with heart and determination and Danno fits that bill perfectly. Additionally, Danno has previously competed in the US Style Handicap meetings held on the Island so I am confident he will do well in these 'pass-a-minute' action packed events. He knows he will be part of the engine room of the team with plenty of knowledge to pass on and I am sure his local sponsors, friends and family are as thrilled for him as we are to see him back.”

Verge, who moved to the Island a year ago and set up home, had two successive seasons with the Warriors in 2018 and 2019 said, “I am delighted to be going back racing for the Wightlink Warriors in some kind of speedway action at Smallbrook stadium in 2021. After what I feel were two successful learning years for me on the bigger tracks, I can look back on 2019 as being a pretty decent year for me and the club in general.
Now in a year where there has been a limited amount of racing going on, my fixture schedule is less than half of what it was in 2019 so I am glad Barry and Martin are putting what sounds like a few fabulous meetings on for the fans and of course us riders who desperately need to stay on the bike and keep sharp for our league racing. There has been a lot of uncertainty over the plans that are due to be happening but it's all starting to fall into place now and I can't wait to get racing and put a Warriors race jacket on again and most importantly get to the tapes, score some points and put on a show for the fans and I would urge all Island motorcycle fans to turn out to support us riders and the club for what is sure to be a great show.”

Danno’s first meeting is July 29th when the Wightlink Warriors take on Cradley and Oxford in a three team tournament - a meeting that will also feature an Upright Motors speedway challenge GM v Weslake, Pee Wee bikes and 125cc Youth Races. The preliminary action starts at 6.15 pm, gates open from 5.15 pm.

 

[barrybishop]

WIGHTLINK WARRIORS NAME STEVE PIPER AS NEW TEAM MANAGER

The Wightlink Warriors are delighted to announce Steve Piper as the new Team Manager for the 2021 season. Steve, who has been involved in speedway for many years, takes up the job from today and will formulate the team for the Three Team Tournament meetings against Cradley and Oxford in July and August.
 
A clearly overjoyed Steve Piper said, “It was an honour to be asked to become team manager and it took me all of one second to say yes. After being part of the set up with my son George in 2016 I understand the ethos of this special club and what makes it work so well on the Island. I have always enjoyed a close relationship with Barry and Martin and I am truly humbled to be asked. Now to build a team with a great spirit, who will represent the Island in the best possible way and who will fully embrace all that is right about the Warrior Way. We race as one. Bring on the season; I can't wait to get started.”
 
Wightlink Warriors co-owner Barry Bishop added, “It’s been a challenging time of late, however at long last we have reached a position where Martin and I feel we are good to go and so we are thrilled to bring Steve onboard for 2021. He brings a wealth of knowledge and ideas to the table for the betterment of our sport and we are delighted that finally we are able to get Steve more involved with the club. For sure he will add strength to the management team and I know he is elated.

With Steve’s arrival it means sadly we have to say goodbye to Jackie Vatcher who has done a wonderful job over recent years and has been excellent and a first-class role model for women in the management of speedway. It is a shame that Jackie could not participate this year and she will be missed by us all for sure, but we understand why she cannot be involved with the Warriors, and we all sympathise with her situation.

We should also mention Kev Shepherd, our Clerk of the Course at Smallbrook, who was also our Wizards team manager as well as managing the Warrior team at many away meetings. Our involvement with NORA means that his Clerk of the Course position carries much greater responsibility and this senior position within the club will now see Kev oversee all aspects of events on the Island. We will issue an update on the Wizards team manager post shortly.

Back to 2021 and I can feel the excitement starting to build already and personally I cannot wait to unleash our Summer Spectacular series for you all.”