There’s just a week to go until the tapes go up once again at Smallbrook Stadium – a day Isle of Wight Speedway fans feared would never happen after the club closed in 2013.
The full Wightlink Warriors team plus other invited riders will contest the Betapak-sponsored Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy meeting on Thursday 7th April. The meeting will be held in honour of and dedicated to the memory of track staff stalwart Vince, who sadly died last year. It will be the first speedway meet on the Isle of Wight in 3 years.
It’s likely to be a somewhat emotional event for many, with the 2016 team members being joined on track by Cradley Heath’s James Purchase; Buxton’s Ollie Greenwood; Kent’s James Shanes, former Islander in the shape of Stoke’s Chris Widman and Adam Sheppard coming in as reserve.
Rookley-based company Betapak is extending it’s sponsorship of the Warriors to sponsor the opening meeting of the 2016 season.
Betapak Managing Director Jon Carter said:
“Betapak are proud to be supporting the first race meeting relaunch at the Smallbrook. The transformation at the speedway over the past few months has been phenomenal. We look forward to this evening and many more races on the IOW with the Warriors.”
Barry Bishop Commercial Director said:
“It’s great to see Betapak extending its sponsorship with the Warriors to participate in our first meeting as Meeting sponsors.
Article continues below this advertisement “Working with team from Betapak has been great and they know the Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy is a very special meeting for us all at Smallbrook. All Warriors will feel honoured to have Betapak on board with us as we open our season and remember Team Warriors stalwart Vince.
“I am sure that the team from Betapak will have a great night and we all look forward to welcome them to Smallbrook”.
On Saturday Wightlink Warriors fans will have the first chance to see their revamped team take to the Smallbrook track. A practice day is being held from 13:00 until 16:00 for the public to head along and watch as the bikes roar around the circuit
During the day fans will also have the chance to take a look at some My First Skid training school machines, meet the riders and make use of the totally revamped and renamed, “Warriors retreat” for the first time.
It’s going to be a very proud day for the promotion duo of Martin Widman and Barry Bishop when they have their chance to show off the new look team, new look riders and totally revamped stadium. Martin commented:
“I am really looking forward to Saturday. I feel like we have achieved the impossible to reach this stage and I hope that Warriors fans will turn up for the free event to welcome the riders between 1 and 4pm. Barry and I would like to thank all members of Team Warrior who have helped us get here.”
