The Isle of Wight speedway season was brought to a most unfortunate end on Thursday night when enthusiastic youngster Stephen Whitehouse crashed awkwardly suffering injuries serious enough to warrant urgent hospital attention.
With the meeting’s on-site paramedic required to stay with the stricken rider on the way to hospital, the referee was obliged to abandon the meeting in the absence of medical cover at the track.
It brought about a premature end to an evening that was progressing so smoothly as teams of riders representing the Island’s 2 co-promoters fought a close team match. Development League riders also contested a 5 race round robin competition, in which Chris Watts was in fine form. It was in the last of these development races that Whitehouse had his accident.
The rider, who has captained the Reading Racers this year, is reported to have leg and abdominal injuries.
Co-promoter Barry Bishop was understandably saddened as he looked over the stadium with the floodlights gradually dimming. He said:
“Oh dear, what a way to have to end the meeting and our season and all our thoughts are with Stephen right now. Until that fall, things we going like clockwork with lots of fun, the Wizards gaining competitive track time and a really close main match that was building to an exciting end, but obviously we are not allowed to run without the proper level of medical cover and I would like to apologise for having to cut short the Showdown.
“On a brighter note, it has been a season of progress both on and off the track and Martin and myself are very pleased with what has been achieved. We will take a few days to look back on 2018 and formulate some plans for 2019 as we await details of speedway’s structure for next year. My First Skid will, weather permitting, continue throughout the winter and its value has been seen on track tonight.
“I must also mention and say a massive thank you to our sponsors, supporters, riders and volunteers. They have been amazing and have helped us to take more steps forward. I hope we have been able to meet and exceed all of their various expectations. Thank you all again”.
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Martin’s Warriors: Alfie Bowtell 8, Ryan Terry-Daley 5, Scott Campos 4, Tom Woolley 4+1, Ben Morley 6, Lewis Whitmore 0, Jamie Sealey 3, Chris Watts 0
Barry’s Warriors: Danny Ayres 5, Danno Verge 5+2, Leon Flint 6, Chris Widman 1, Connor Coles 8, Shaun Tedham 2, Nick Laurence 3+2
Wizards Challenge: Chris Watts 12, Morgan Williams 8, Stephen Whitehouse 5, Steph Whitlock 3, James Luckman 2
