2022 was a year to remember as a season of firsts at Smallbrook Stadium.
The Isle of Wight saw the very first NORA British Women’s Speedway Championship in association with Jason Waring and coordinated by Alan Critcher. This led to a new champion – Katie Gordon won the 3-round contest with Taya Thirtle in 2nd and Islander Steph Whitlock in 3rd spot. 2023 promises expansion of the competition and another hotly contested championship.
The Freelance Installations NORA British Upright Championship was coordinated by Lee Coleman and consisted of 2 highly competitive qualification rounds and a fascinating grand finale. The winner of a thrilling final was the brilliant Mark Simmonds, with Wayne Broadhurst and Darren Phillips joining him on the podium.
The Ashmore Surveyors NORA British Open title was another highlight, retained by Jason Edwards, who turned on the style to go unbeaten all night – posting the fastest time of the season in doing so. He was joined on the podium by Henry Atkins and George Congreve.
The inaugural Michael Richardson Team Trophy was won by Cradley, who came out on top after 3 top rounds of team speedway. The ARH Heathens team managed to pull off the win despite the sterling efforts of Weymouth and the Wightlink Warriors. The Warriors for sure will be looking to do better in 2023 and despite a great 2nd round performance, finished third overall.
The Foxbury Motors NORA Island Master Series, coordinated by Ben Ilsley, once again saw the Grass Track riders bring their machines to the shale in another 3-round series. With the innovative inclusion of handicapping, it was the ever-present Arran Butcher who topped the table, with Harry Gent and Dave Hammond also on the podium. It was another top series and produced 2 laps of speedway between Henry Atkins and Arran Butcher that will be in our memories for a long time.
Mark Cooper sponsored the second US Style Handicap meeting and the Pairs meeting. Both produced some of the best racing of the season with the Handicap meeting delivering a totally unforgettable 6-rider final, even though it resulted in a crash for George Congreve. The 1st US Style meeting was won by Henry Atkins, with George Congreve and Danno Verge also on the podium.
The Pairs meeting was said to be the best meeting of the year, which allowed rookie team managers to take charge of their pair for the night. This year, it was won by the Surrey Sliders in the shape of Danno Verge and Kelsey Dugard in a thrilling final that enabled Danno Verge to end his speedway career on a high.
The ever-present reminder of the wonderful Vince Mapley saw his memorial meeting won by Connor Coles with Arran Butcher and Ben Morley on the podium.
