Dickie Head Posted July 2, 2021 Report Share Posted July 2, 2021 Hang on. Danno Verge is going to ride at the Isle of Wight but he’s in the ndl for Eastbourne. I thought I saw that League riders would get banned if they went over to race. Has their been a change to allow him to ride. Hope so. More could follow to help the promotors out. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrybishop Posted July 5, 2021 Report Share Posted July 5, 2021 Wightlink Wizards Ready To Roar In To 2021 In Summer Spectacular At Smallbrook Stadium Following the news that Danno Verge is to be the first rider for the Wightlink Warriors in 2021, supremos Martin Widman and Barry Bishop continue their theme of rider announcements with the exciting news that they are able to present the complete Wightlink Wizards side, all of whom are regular attendees at My First Skid, the speedway school based at the Smallbrook Stadium. Barry Bishop said, “We view the Wightlink Wizards as a vital part of our presentation package offering riders a development opportunity and to be part of the main event and not just a fill-in. All of these riders came through our speedway school and we want them to continue to push for Warrior places while remaining race hungry for the Wizards, and that’s exactly what we have here. We are extremely proud of the commitment and ethos of all our Wizard teams over recent seasons and we are sure that this one will be the same. We are also incredibly excited to announce Tony Cook (“Cookie”) as the Wightlink Wizards Team Manager. Cookie, an experienced track motor cyclist in his own right, has been everything to the club, sponsor, volunteer, handyman, mechanic, comedian and now to add Wizards Team Manager, I know he will get the best out of the squad.” Tony Cook (pictured) said, “What an honour and privilege it is to be asked to be the Wightlink Wizards Team Manager. It is an incredible group with lots of talent to nurture and I know we can all expect some great action on the track. Personally, I cannot wait for racing to start on July 22nd.” The riders are also relishing lots of track time. Jamie Sealey said “I’m absolutely over the moon to be back racing for the Wizards. It’s been a long wait to be able to get back racing and I can’t wait to get started again.” Morgan Williams added, “I’m delighted to see the return of speedway to the island following what has been a very difficult time for the promotion. As the “local boy” I’m very keen to progress and show that the island can, and will, produce from the grassroots of the sport. I’m very grateful for being given the opportunity to compete in what will no doubt be a summer series of fantastic racing.” Chris Watts said, “I am delighted to be back racing for the Wizards again in 2021. When the news came out, I was quick to show my support towards the Isle of Wight set up and wanting to race for them. In previous years, I have always been their highest average rider and top point scorer and I will be doing my best to keep that up, scoring big points and helping out the team wherever I can.” Jamie Evans said, “I’m the new face for the Wizards. After learning to ride speedway at My First Skid, I cannot wait to finally race for the team and especially meet up with all the fans.” Steph Whitlock said “It’s great to be back involved with the Wizards team once again. I can’t wait to get back on track racing as I feel I’ve developed a lot since getting back on my bike after the restrictions were lifted and I cannot wait to see everyone.” The team lines up as follows: 1. Jamie Sealey 2. Morgan Williams 3. Chris Watts 4. Jamie Evans 5. Steph Whitlock Team Manager Tony Cook 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrybishop Posted July 7, 2021 Report Share Posted July 7, 2021 WIGHTLINK WARRIORS BRING IN ALEX SPOONER RATHER THAN LATER Wightlink Warriors team boss Steve Piper has only been in post just a few days, but has wasted absolutely no time in tying up arrangements to bring in Essex based Alex Spooner to the Warriors team following approval for him to ride on the Island. Steve said, “I know that Barry and Martin were hugely impressed with Alex at a recent My First Skid event on the Island and once they passed this on to me, I felt he would fit in well to the quartet I have in mind. Alex is a committed rider looking to expand on his current racing arrangements and has always caught the eye of the Warriors management, previously receiving regular invitations to open meetings at Smallbrook where possible. Let’s welcome Alex to the club - we are sure he is going to do us all proud.” Talking about coming to the nation’s largest track Alex said, “I’m grateful to get the opportunity to ride on the Island this year! Like every rider it’s about racing your bike, improving and entertaining the fans, which I hope to do! Now we have the green light, I want to leave the politics behind and use these meetings to gain more experience and track time in a very quiet season while entertaining the fans and sponsors in what look to be some very entertaining meetings.” The admission pricing structure for the seven meeting Summer Spectacular series was also confirmed today as follows: On The Day Admission (cash only at the turnstile): Adults (17 and over): £12.00 Seniors (OAP’s), Service Personnel & Students (with ID cards): £10.00 Children (16 and under): Free if accompanied by a paying adult Visitors with additional needs: One carer free per paying guest A match day programme will be £2.00 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrybishop Posted July 8, 2021 Report Share Posted July 8, 2021 Wightlink Warriors Bring Back Chad Wirtzfeld For The Summer Spectaculars Plus The Wightlink Wizards First Fixture Is Confirmed Wightlink Warriors’ new Team Manager Steve Piper has again acted quickly to ensure that fans favourite Chad Wirtzfeld will return to the Wightlink Warriors in 2021. He joins Danno Verge and Alex Spooner who were confirmed starters earlier this week. Blandford based Chad, who has been with the club since Martin Widman and Barry Bishop reintroduced speedway to the Island in 2016, will be competing in all seven Summer Spectacular meetings. Steve Piper said, “We are very excited to have Chad back for 2021 because we know there is a lot more to come from this young man. Anyone who has seen the speed Chad rides at during My First Skid sessions knows that he has what it takes to go far in track sport and now we have to mould that undoubted talent to get the best performances from him in a race day environment. He already has a busy weekend schedule of grasstrack and longtrack fixtures, but he also has the Warrior connection running through his veins as he started as mascot and a My First Skid regular before stepping in to the Wightlink Wizards and Warriors teams, improving year on year. Mid-week racing fits his into his calendar well so with the Wightlink Warrior ethos of encouragement, development and progress I am sure we can help make this another year of real growth for Chad.” Chad added, “It is great to get seven meetings on my favourite track and I shall be riding for both the Wightlink Warriors and participating in the Island Masters series. Everyone knows I always wanted to return to Smallbrook and it is great that Martin and Barry have found a way forward with meetings that should be great nights out for riders and fans alike. I’m looking forward to seeing all the supporters and once again doing my best for the club.” Turning to the Wightlink Wizards, it has been confirmed that the first fixture for new manager Tony Cook and his team will see the welcome return of the Weymouth Wildcats to the Smallbrook Stadium as part of an integrated programme with the first round of the Island Masters individual event. The Island co-owners and the Wildcats management have enjoyed a close working relationship over several seasons as the Dorset side continue to seek a suitable venue to re-establish the sport in the seaside town with Weymouth co-owner Martin Peters saying, “James (Tresadern) and I are thankful to Barry, Martin and the Island team for inviting us over for the first meeting at the new look IOW set up. We hope that everyone has a fantastic evening and our team will be doing the best we can to add to a memorable night”. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIRKYLANE Posted July 11, 2021 Report Share Posted July 11, 2021 Good luck for you meetings in 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sidney Posted July 22, 2021 Report Share Posted July 22, 2021 Good luck to IOW tonight. Barry has been on Facebook live throughout the day, promoting the meeting, promoting and giving exposure to the sponsors. I really hope they have a successful season 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wessex Wanderer Posted July 23, 2021 Report Share Posted July 23, 2021 Good luck for tonight and the rest of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post barrybishop Posted July 23, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 23, 2021 Wow... what a fantastic night... 30 races.... completed... loved it.. absolutely loved it.... here is the meeting report by Rob Dyer. Wightlink Warriors Summer Speedway Spectacular Sees Appleton In Tasty Form The first of Wightlink Warriors Summer Spectacular meetings proved to be master class of track skill from former British Grasstrack Masters Champion Andrew Appleton (pictured) as he scorched to five impressive wins in front of an appreciative crowd at the Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde last night. The return of track sport to the Island was headlined by the first of three rounds of the Island Masters series - a grasstrack meeting on shale – and the twelve riders didn’t disappoint a very healthy crowd as they battled hard to reach the winner takes all Grand Final. On a night of nearly 30 races the Masters meeting also included a gripping six heat development meeting between the Wightlink Wizards and Weymouth Wildcats and a further six heats of races looking to the future and giving the youngster track time in front of an audience. Whilst former Reading and Oxford speedway star Appleton produced lightning starts to earn his wins he did have stern competition from Danish rider Jacob Buckhave and the two served up a terrific race in the Grand Final – indeed the three finals (C, B & A) certainly didn’t disappoint as all the riders gave their all right to the end. Also impressing were Tony Atkin and Rob Fortune whilst Wightlink Warrior Chad Wirtzfeld found plenty of speed to clinch the B Final on the night. As to the Wightlink Wizards, their battle to tame the Wildcats went to the final bend of the final heat and for all the world it looked as if the home team were about to secure the 5-1 result that would have seen them take a win, however with Jamie Sealey well clear at the front, Wroxall based Morgan Williams appeared to tire on the final two corners and slide to the ground allowing two relieved Wildcats riders through for a drawn heat that clinched the meeting 17-19 in favour of the visitors. Mention also for the PeeWee and 125 cc riders who opened the evening and especially to Kye Elliott from St. Helens (IOW) who scored an impressive 7 points to take the ’Les and Lesley (Midland Fans)’ Junior Rider Of The Night award. Warriors’ co-owner Barry Bishop wore a big smile after the meeting as he said, “Wow. What a night 30 races, bags of action both on and off track, super crowd, magic finals. The night had almost everything Martin and I could have wanted and we were so close to complete perfection until Morgan’s slip in the Wizards meeting. I’ve got to say we have worked so hard for this night. We’ve had many battles and we have achieved what we set out do. That is provided affordable family entertainment in a safe and pleasant environment. Right now I’m just a bit speechless and completely shattered but tomorrow we’ll be back at it and I can’t for next Thursday when we can do it all again with the Wightlink Warriors”. Island Masters – Round 1 Result: C Final – Eric Pike, Dean Cutler, David Hollingsbee, Barry Coates B Final – Chad Wirtzfeld, Charley Powell, Mitch Godden, Nigel Coates A Final – Andrew Appleton, Jacob Buckhave, Tony Atkin, Rob Fortune Wightlink Wizards 17 (Jamie Sealey 8, Jamie Evans 6+1, Morgan Williams 3, Eli Meadows 0) Weymouth Wildcats 19 (Bailey Fellows 7+1, James Laker 5, Max Pankhurst 4+1, Sam Peters 3) 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted July 23, 2021 Report Share Posted July 23, 2021 (edited) Word I have [from two different sources] is that the attendance was slightly up on usual league meetings Edited July 23, 2021 by Halifaxtiger 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris116 Posted July 23, 2021 Report Share Posted July 23, 2021 Great to hear that the first meeting went well. Now I just hope that Wightlink/SWR play ball and reinstate the late evening boat and train services to enable me to enjoy the racing and get home afterwards. Good luck to all involved with the Warriors. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbw Posted July 30, 2021 Report Share Posted July 30, 2021 Hope to see IOW back in the NDL one day soon, I notice in this week's Star that Jason Pipe is now realising that the points limit was too low. U cud say that hindsight is a wonderful thing but Martin & Barry av foresight which is even more wonderful. That's why they look after everyone so well. Keep up the great work all on the Isle 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac101 Posted July 30, 2021 Report Share Posted July 30, 2021 2 hours ago, PirateShip said: Hope to see IOW back in the NDL one day soon, I notice in this week's Star that Jason Pipe is now realising that the points limit was too low. U cud say that hindsight is a wonderful thing but Martin & Barry av foresight which is even more wonderful. That's why they look after everyone so well. Keep up the great work all on the Isle jason never said anything to the speedway star they quoted something from a post that he said on another riders racing page and also now has stepped down from his job as NL coordinator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted July 30, 2021 Report Share Posted July 30, 2021 3 hours ago, PirateShip said: Hope to see IOW back in the NDL one day soon, I notice in this week's Star that Jason Pipe is now realising that the points limit was too low. U cud say that hindsight is a wonderful thing but Martin & Barry av foresight which is even more wonderful. That's why they look after everyone so well. Keep up the great work all on the Isle Doing very nicely at the moment it seems. A friend of mine - who has been going since it opened on the Island - said last night's attendance was the biggest he has seen for 'a very long time'. Anyone else fancy dumping the BSPL.................... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted July 30, 2021 Report Share Posted July 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Halifaxtiger said: Doing very nicely at the moment it seems. A friend of mine - who has been going since it opened on the Island - said last night's attendance was the biggest he has seen for 'a very long time'. Anyone else fancy dumping the BSPL.................... It was a big crowd. It suprised me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted July 30, 2021 Report Share Posted July 30, 2021 Cracking meeting in front of a bumper crowd. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobC Posted July 30, 2021 Report Share Posted July 30, 2021 (edited) Excellent meeting all round. How many people are aware of the absolute nightmare they had getting riders there? On Wednesday, Wightlinks new and largest ferry Victoria was put out of action due to a mishap. Almost every rider booking had to be changed, some being switched to Lymington Right up to about 4pm, there were still problems. Fortunately, everyone made it in time. Even on the last ferry back, we were all sat round chatting. Barry? Going around everyone thanking us for coming etc. 28 races on just over 3hrs, including a track repair hold up and 3 x ambulance visits Something for everyone. A complete contrast to your 'normal BSPL' meeting of 15 Hts...... now go home. KIds were involved from start to finish. Barry even apologised that due to holdups, he couldnt hold the kids running race. They are working their socks off to produce something you dont normally see. Breaking the 'established mold'. They are succeeding and Im sure the BSPL are watching everything very closely. Long may it continue. Edited July 30, 2021 by BobC 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted July 30, 2021 Report Share Posted July 30, 2021 34 minutes ago, BobC said: Excellent meeting all round. How many people are aware of the absolute nightmare they had getting riders there? On Wednesday, Wightlinks new and largest ferry Victoria was put out of action due to a mishap. Almost every rider booking had to be changed, some being switched to Lymington Right up to about 4pm, there were still problems. Fortunately, everyone made it in time. Even on the last ferry back, we were all sat round chatting. Barry? Going around everyone thanking us for coming etc. 28 races on just over 3hrs, including a track repair hold up and 3 x ambulance visits Something for everyone. A complete contrast to your 'normal BSPL' meeting of 15 Hts...... now go home. KIds were involved from start to finish. Barry even apologised that due to holdups, he couldnt hold the kids running race. They are working their socks off to produce something you dont normally see. Breaking the 'established mold'. They are succeeding and Im sure the BSPL are watching everything very closely. Long may it continue. We were booked on the 4pm from Lymington and came back on the 11pm from Fishbourne. It felt like a chartered speedway ferry! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Central Posted July 31, 2021 Report Share Posted July 31, 2021 On 7/30/2021 at 9:49 PM, cityrebel said: We were booked on the 4pm from Lymington and came back on the 11pm from Fishbourne. It felt like a chartered speedway ferry! The 11pm ferry from Fishbourne is very much like a "speedway special". Lots of banter for 40 minutes and then disappear home. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickie Head Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 As the Warriors are no longer a NL team, shouldn’t this topic be closed and re-established in the amateur section or similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch958 Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 10 minutes ago, Dickie Head said: As the Warriors are no longer a NL team, shouldn’t this topic be closed and re-established in the amateur section or similar? no it should be left here to shame the powers that be 6 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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