UPDATE: The ‘Wightlink’ Warriors opening meeting of the season The Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy has been postponed.
The track and centre green are waterlogged with more rain due today (Wednesday) there is little chance of getting the track prepared for racing.
Disappointed Co-Promoter Barry Bishop said:
“With riders and fans travelling from across the country, the early decision has been made to postpone the meeting to a later date when we hope we can schedule all of Thursday’s line up to join us and race for the title”.
The Warriors’ next/first track action is this coming weekend when they travel to Mildenhall on Sunday to take on the Fen Tigers in the National Trophy. This will be followed by the visit of Belle Vue Colts to Smallbrook Stadium on 12th April for what promises to be a terrific first league fixture of the season.
The Wightlink Warriors kick off their 2018 speedway season at The Andrew Younie Smallbrook Stadium this Thursday (5th April) when the club stage The Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy – an individual event featuring all 7 Warriors plus some up and coming riders from other National League sides.
There was disappointment at the weekend when the press and practice day fell foul of the atrocious weather. The Warriors’ new number 1, Ben Morley, was so keen to show the home fans the form that took him to fifth place in last season’s National League averages.
Home supporters will be looking forward to seeing returnee Ben Hopwood and new Warrior Danno Verge. The Kent-based speedster has looked very quick at the My Fist Skid training schools in February and March and will be a key man for the Warriors as the season unfolds. Fans favourites Chris Widman, Scott Campos, Jamie Sealey and Adam Portwood complete the Warrior contingent.
Making up the duelling dozen will be former Warrior and current Kent King Nathan Stoneman, Birmingham’s hugely talented Leon Flint, the familiar face of promising Jamie Bursill and Belle Vue duo Kyle Bickley and Ben Woodhull who will be gaining valuable track time ahead of the Colts league visit just 1 week later.
Co-promoter Barry Bishop has said:
“This will be the third year that we have staged this individual meeting to launch our season and I cannot wait to see the meeting unfold. It is going to be a close contest with some very talented riders taking part. A perfect way to remember Vince who so loved the speedway on the Isle of Wight.
“The wet weather around the country has really limited the amount of practice time available to many riders so by opening with an individual event, it gives the Warriors competitive outings in true race conditions before team action gets under way at Mildenhall next Sunday. It also allows us a chance to bring in some improving riders who have impressed us, both on and off track. We hope the weather is kind and we can get cracking on an exciting season”.
Usual admission arrangements apply with the turnstiles opening at 17:30 and the pits open for viewing from 17:45 to 18:15. The grand parade of riders will take place at 18:45 with tapes up on the first race at 19:00. The ever-popular kid’s on-track cycle/running race will also feature during the speedway interval.
