By Isle of Wight ObserverThe Isle of Wight ‘Wightlink’ Warriors speedway team face their sternest test of the season this Thursday (August 16).
They face the unbeaten league leaders from Mildenhall who visit the Andrew Younie Smallbrook Stadium for a National League fixture.
The evening will again see another 21 race programme as the ‘Wightlink’ Wizards development team are also in action against the Reading Racers immediately after the main meeting.
The visiting Fen Tigers have been the stand out team in the division this season and have already taken a big win at Smallbrook in the National Trophy – a competition which will see the Fen Tigers take on Cradley in the two legged final in mid-September.
Warriors go into the meeting with their heat leaders in good form on home shale and will be boosted by the return of Chris Widman who hopes to return having recovered from the broken wrist suffered six weeks ago. Jamie Bursill will again take one of the reserve positions.
Make no mistake, it will need a mammoth effort from the Warriors to achieve a positive result and co-promoter Barry Bishop is urging the fans to turn out in force to support them.
He interrupted his work on returning the Andrew Younie stadium to normal after Jack Up The 80s weekend.
He said: “Mildenhall have been so impressive in our league this year and look to be on course to meet some really stretching goals set by their management. We are going to have to be at our very best to compete with them and I would urge all Island speedway fans to come along on Thursday for what I’m sure will be a cracking meeting.
“We also have the ‘Wightlink’ Wizards completing their SDL home fixtures against Reading so it’s another bumper programme that will be full of fun and excitement – in fact something for everyone so do come and join us and give your vocal support. The riders really do appreciate it”.
The evening will also see the annual collection for the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund – the charity that provides financial assistance to injured riders.
Warriors : Ben Morley, Danno Verge, Scott Campos, Chris Widman, Alfie Bowtell, Jamie Bursill, Shaun Tedham.
Fen Tigers : Rider Replacement for Drew Kemp, Ryan Kinsley, Josh Bailey, Jordan Jenkins, Danny Ayres, Matt Marson, Sam Bebee.
Wizards: Rob Watts, Ben Ilsley, Jamie Sealey, Chris Watts.
Racers: Nick Laurence, Stephen Whitehouse, Jamie Bursill, Bailey Fellowes.
As usual, gates will open at 5.30, open pit access from 5.45 to 6.15, pre-meeting demonstrations from 6.15 ahead of the parade of riders with the tapes up at 7.00 pm.
