Goddards Brewery of Ryde have joined the growing number of Island sponsors backing the return of speedway to the Isle Of Wight at Smallbrook Stadium.
Goddards, who have been brewing since 1993 and are noted for their excellent real ales, were very keen to get onboard with the return of speedway on the Isle of Wight.
Xavier Baker, Head of Business Development commented:
“We are delighted that speedway is coming back and are looking forward to working with Martin, Barry and the team.
“The speedway was a great part of the Ryde community and attracts visitors from around the country. We are proud to be associated with Island Speedway and wish them every success!”
Barry Bishop, one half of the duo behind bringing Speedway back said:
“The link up with Goddards Brewery is just brilliant. We have already had a tour of the Brewery at Barnsley Farm and the enthusiasm of the Goddards team to our vision was wonderful.
“Martin Widman and I are well known lovers of real ales and we are sure that our fans and team will welcome the innovative relationship that we have put in place with Goddards Brewery. I also hope that they will participate in the business club as we will soon announce how fans can also participate”.
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Meanwhile yet another local company have pledged their support to Island Speedway.
Newport-based ICR Systems are a Sharp EPoS (electronic point of sale) dealer and were initially approached by Dave Stevens of main team sponsors SBS EPoS. Formed in by Andy Phipps in 1980, ICR Systems have been supplying and maintaining the electronic point of sale needs of many businesses on the Island and were thrilled at the prospect of backing one of the Island’s premier attractions.
Barry Bishop commented:
“It’s absolutely fantastic that Dave Stevens has continued to grow our sponsorship support with this backing from ICR Systems based at Newport.
“Martin Widman and I are delighted to welcome them aboard and we very much look forward to working with Andy and his team. Our speedway family continues to grow rapidly and that’s great news for our team and the community.”
Work continues at Smallbrook Stadium as fast as materials and labour become available and a key milestone was achieved this week when all the back straight post holders were concreted into the ground using concrete from another valuable sponsor, Richard Carter Ready Mix Concrete of Newport.
On a hot day, a group of volunteers got down to business when the concrete arrived to get all the holders in place with the task being achieved to a high standard.
All the posts will now be cut and drilled ready to accept the eye bolts that hold the restraining wires before being put in place ready for the new track perimeter boards to be fitted. In addition to this work, new wooden posts have been fitted to replace the broken or rotten posts, so significant progress is being made. Progress has also been made on the electrical front with all the back straight lamp standards serviced and wiring fitted for the air fence blowers.
Martin Widman will be calling all the people who put their names on the volunteer list at the Fans Forum to check their availability to assist on working parties, but in the meantime if anyone has a few hours spare and can help, call Ken or Ness Bridgen on the stadium number 01983 811180 to discuss what you can do. 2500 sq feet of new boards need painting as well as all the old boards so any help that you can offer will be very much appreciated and welcomed by the team.
