It has been announced that Wightlink Ferries are supporting the return of speedway to the Isle of Wight, reinstating a long-term partnership between the cross-Solent operator and the action sport.
Plans are in hand for the Wightlink Warriors – the new name for the Island team – to restart competitive speedway at Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde next year after the high-speed action was brought to an end in 2013.
Wightlink’s Head of Marketing, Mark Persad explains:
“Speedway has a long and proud history on the Isle of Wight, in the past more than 3,000 people used to turn up to cheer on our team.
“As Part of Island Life, we at Wightlink are delighted to play our part in supporting the racers by assisting with travel costs and we are sure they will go from strength to strength next year.”
Wightlink Warriors Commercial Director Barry Bishop says:
“My colleague Martin Widman and I are absolutely thrilled to have successfully agreed a way forward with Wightlink. Wightlink are enthusiastic supporters of Island teams and events and we could not imagine going into 2016 without their assistance. We will now forge ahead making preparations for the new season.”
In 2016, speedway meetings will take place on Thursday evenings instead of Tuesdays. It is hoped visiting teams and fans will seize their opportunity to spend a little longer on the Isle of Wight by taking a short break away from home and boosting tourism on the Island.
Barry and Martin (pictured) will also be opening a speedway training school (the only one on the south coast) and offering corporate days, minibikes for children, track hire and special holidays for speedway fans.
