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News Archive
March 2008
 AT
LAST THE ACTION HOTS UP FOR WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS...
With the Wightlink Islanders having raced just two matches
so far this season, skipper Jason Bunyan and his men are
pleased the the matches for them start to come quickly for
them from this point onwards.
Between now and Wednesday of next week they will be riding
in a total of four such matches starting with tomorrow's
home Premier Trophy clash against Welsh club Newport and the
Wightlink Islanders will be looking to open their Trophy
campaign with a victory.
And many might think that with the Wasps having suffered a
heavy 34-56 home defeat against Reading yesterday (Sunday)
victory for the Island side is a formality but the feeling
amongst IOW club officials is that the Welsh side, no doubt
smarting from that defeat, will arrive at Smallbrook Stadium
determined to atone for their abject performance yesterday.
Wightlink Islanders team manager for tomorrow, Martin
Newnham has in fact warned his team not to go into the
meeting tomorrow thinking that they will easily win it.
"We must ensure that, and I feel certain that we won't
anyway, go into tomorrow's thinking it will be easy for us,"
he said. "That defeat will have hurt Newport and they'll be
keen to do well."
The Wightlink Islanders will track the same side as defeated
Reading in the opening challenge match of the season at
Smallbrook a week ago Saturday whilst Newport's main threat
will be carried by their ‘prodigal son,’ 31 years old
Australian Craig Watson
would be returning to ride in the No.1 position for them
after a year away from the club.
His main support will come from Newport's two winter Polish
signings,
Sebastian
Truminski and
Marek Mroz
who both come into the Wasps line up on assessed 7.00
averages and who are relatively unknown quantities in this
country.
Captain of the Wasps is one of their stalwarts, Tony Atkin,
who originally hails from Wrexham in North Wales and who
celebrates his 41st birthday on Tuesday of next week!! His
advancing years are certainly no barrier whatsoever to his
points scoring ability as has been demonstrated on some of
his previous visits to the Isle of Wight.
New signing for 2008
Paul Clews who rode for the
Newcastle Diamonds last season completes Newport's top five
whilst at reserve they'll be tracking firstly
Nick Simmons,
who is still on our books and is on loan to the Wasps for
the 2008 season.
His partner, and completing the Newport side, will be 17
years young Jerran Hart,
who despite being born in Ipswich signed for rival Elite
leaguers Lakeside Hammers who have loaned him to Newport for
this season.
As usual tomorrow's action gets underway at 7.30p.m. and
admission prices are: Adults - £13; Concessions - £10;
Children (11 yrs to 15yrs) - £5; Children (5yrs to 10yrs) -
£2; Under 5's - FREE
Click here
to view Newport's 2008 Team Profile
LATER THIS WEEK...
The Wightlink Islanders are on their travels this week,
racing an away Premier Trophy match at the home of the
Somerset Rebels on Friday before moving onto South Wales and
Newport's Hayley Stadium on Sunday, again to contest a
Premier Trophy clash and then they return to the Island on
Tuesday of next week for the return encounter with the
Rebels.
Click here
to view Somerset's 2008 Team Profile
 WIGHTLINK
ISLANDERS PLEAD FOR, AND ARE GIVEN, MORE PRACTICE
OPPORTUNITIES...
With the Wightlink Islanders having
raced just two matches so far this season and all team
members desperately seeking more time on track to both to
regain full "race" fitness for the hard season of Premier
League action ahead and to ensure that their machinery is
working as it should, skipper Jason Bunyan approached the
club's management on behalf of the team and pleaded for more
practice opportunities.
He did so after the Islanders suffered a 56-36 defeat at the
Berkshire home of the Reading Racers in the second leg of
the Chalfont Coaches sponsored Easter Trophy on Sunday.
The two legged affair raced within the space of 24 hours
over the Easter weekend highlighted the fact that the
opposition riders, having already raced twice on previous
occasions in full home and away
matches against Somerset and additionally a match at Rye
House that was abandoned because of rain halfway through,
were clearly that little bit sharper than the Wightlink
Islanders in the weekend's matches.
And so impressed were the management with the riders
attitude, that they immediately set in motion arrangements
for the riders request to become a reality by arranging the
necessary medical cover and indeed it will become a reality
on Thursday of this week (March 25th) when all seven members
of our 2008 team, and possibly some invited riders as well,
will be going through their paces at Smallbrook.
"It was the riders idea rather than ours
to arrange this session," said co-promoter Dave Pavitt, "
and we were more than happy to make the necessary
arrangements for it to happen.
"The riders
are all travelling, at their own expense, and some from
considerable distances away and we are very impressed with
the commitment they are showing to the club.
"The riders were not happy with themselves for losing 56-36
in Sunday's match at Reading and want more time out on track
not only to aid their own fitness campaigns, but to give
them further opportunities to rectify any teething problems
any of them may have with their bikes at this early stage of
the season.
"They spend hour upon hour preparing their bikes in the
workshop but the only time they can gauge whether or not
changes to their set ups are necessary is after they have
tested their machinery on track
rather than upon their workshop benches."Hopefully this
Thursday's session will enable any early-season
teething problems that may have become apparent after last
weekend's matches."
The good news for fans is that they'll be more than welcome
to come along and watch Thursday's practice session with
there being NO admission charge and the stadium being open
from 6p.m. onwards and it should be noticed that the Lounge
Bar will be open and that both hot and cold food will be
available to purchase as well.
 WIGHTLINK
ISLANDERS LOSE OUT IN TROPHY RETURN MATCH...
The Wightlink Islanders couldn't build upon the hard earned
48-47 victory they achieved over the Reading Racers in
Saturday's first leg of the Chalfont Coaches Easter Trophy
when they travelled to the Berkshire track on Sunday for the
return leg.
Their opponents were somewhat sharper on the night,
especially from the starting tapes, and recorded a 56-36
victory to take the Trophy on aggregate by 104 points to
84.But there were some encouraging signs from the Wightlink
Islanders perspective with skipper Jason Bunyan and popular
Pole Krzysztof
Stojanowski getting amongst the points for one thing. And
whilst their was disappointment within the camp at the
margin of defeat on the night, team manager Dave Croucher
was not at all despondent afterwards."I am in no way
defending the fact that we lost by twenty points tonight,"
he said, "but it's fair to point out I think that it was our
first away match of the year, we had riders in our side who
had never
seen this place before let alone race on the track and we
also had two who fell whilst in the lead in the early stages
of the match when track conditions were a little tricky.
'Having said that neither the boys or the management will
want to see repeat performances like that and I'm sure we
won't and that we will get better the more matches we
have."We have a really good spirit in the camp, we accept
that we have built a team with strength in the middle order
and that we have no out
an out 'Big Gun' in the team, and I still fully believe that
will stand us in good stead before the half way point this
year and was the right thing to do."
DETAILS FROM SUNDAY'S MATCH:
Reading
Racers 56 Wightlink Islanders 36
(Chalfont Coaches Easter Trophy - 2nd leg) Reading win 104 -
84 on aggregate.
SCORERS: IOW (in riding
order): Jason Bunyan 8, Cory Gathercole 4+1, Krzysztof
Stojanowski 11, Paul Fry 4+2, Glen Phillips 5, James Holder
3+1, Andrew Bargh 1+1.
Reading (in riding
order): Mark Lemon 15, Tomas Suchanek 5, Ulrich Ostergaard
14+1, Chris Mills 4+1, Tom Madsen 10+1, Jamie Smith 6, Sam
Martin 2.
NOT UNHAPPY
That's how David Croucher described his feelings after
the defeat at Reading in the 2nd leg of the Chalfont
Coaches Trophy.
"I am not defending a 20 point loss with excuses, but we
had 3 Riders who have never seen the place before.
We also had 2 Riders who fell whilst in the lead, and we
actually only managed to achieve one race win all night.
We did, however, still manage to notch up 36 points, and
lost on aggregate by 19, which is no disgrace at all.
So, consider also, that it was our first away meeting of
2008, against one of the stronger sides, I'm not
unhappy. Neither the Boys or the Management will want to
see repeat performances like that, and we will get
better.
Over the 2 Meetings, had they been in the League and
under the new Rules, we collected 2 Points at Home and
so did Reading. We have good spirit in the camp, and the
boys all worked well together at Smallmead, in spite of
a few problems. We accept that we built a Team with
strength in the middle order and that we have no out and
out 'Big Gun' in the Team. I still fully believe that
this will stand us in good stead before the half way
point this year, and was the right thing to do.
Jason Bunyan is definitely No1 material, but he has yet
to show that in his first 2 outings. Any one of the
other 4 in the top 5 is capable of improving their
average and could conceivably make the No1 slot.
We all feel James Holder's first 2 outings have been
more than acceptable, and can see Jimbo moving up the
ranks too. There is a lot of talent, mixed with some
considerable experience in the Islanders camp this
Season."
So conscious are the Islanders of them being
'Track Rusty', they have arranged a Practice at
Smallbrook this Thursday 27th March. "It wasn't
our request, although they all knew the facility was
available", said DC, "It was the Riders idea, and they
asked us. Jason Bunyan went to Dave Pavitt and asked if
we could get Medical cover in place and then all 7 of
them said they would like to practice. They are all
travelling, at their own expense, and some from
considerable distances, and I am very impressed with
their commitment. Nobody wants to be part of a
constantly losing Team, and these Guys are clearly out
to make sure that isn't going to happen."
The Stadium will be open to the Public from
6.00pm free of charge, and the Premier Lounge Bar will
be open with Food available.
WIGHTLINK
ISLANDERS START THE YEAR ON A WINNING NOTE...
On a bitterly cold night, the Wightlink Islanders got their
2008 season underway with a cracking 48-47 victory over the
Reading Racers in the first leg of the Chalfont Coaches
Easter Challenge, the return taking place tonight at the
Berkshire track.
The mere one point margin of victory somewhat flatters
Reading who found themselves trailing 34-20 after the first
nine heats as Glen Phillips led the race-rusty Islanders in
fine style.
Reading arrived at Smallbrook not only tipped by many as
potential league champions this year but with the benefit of
having raced three previous matches this year whereas the
Islanders were opening their account.
And the Racers match fitness showed in the early stages with
them moving into a narrow two point lead after the first
three races but with Glen Phillips recording his first of
what was to prove to be four race wins in the match in heat
4 and Aussie James Holder, making his UK debut, picking up
third place, the teams were back on level terms at twelve
points each.
It was the Wightlink Islanders who took control in the
middle stages of the match recording maximum 5-1 heat
advantages in races 6, 8 and 9 and a 4-2 as well in heat 7
to open up that 14 point lead referred to above.
But, as might have been expected, the opposition's superior
match fitness began to tell in the final stages as the
Wightlink Islanders began to tire, and with Danish
ex-Islander Ulrich Ostergaard leading Reading's revival, the
final margin of victory was nowhere near as big at the home
side might have hoped for at one stage.
Nevertheless team manager Martin Newnham was pleased with
his side's performance saying, "Reading are a good side and
the fact that they had already raced three matches this year
was a telling factor towards the end of the match as we
tired.
"A win is a win though and it's nice to start the season as
we mean to go on and as our riders gain match fitness
they'll get better week by week."
All the home riders contributed points with Glen Phillips
leading the way with a total of 13 that earned him the "Man
of the Match" award from meeting sponsors Chalfont Coaches.
FINAL SCORE: Wightlink Islanders
48 Reading Racers 47
SCORERS: IOW (in riding order): Jason
Bunyan 7+1, Cory Gathercole 6, Krzysztof Stojanowski 8+1,
Paul Fry 7+2, Glen Phillips 13, James Holder 3+1, Andrew
Bargh 4+1.
READING (in riding order): Mark Lemon 15,
Tomas Suchanek 3+1, Ulrich Ostergaard 17+1, Chris Mills 4,
Tom Madsen 3, Jamie Smith 2, Sam Martin 3.
UNCHANGED SIDE NAMED FOR
TONIGHT...
The Wightlink Islanders will track an unchanged side for
tonight's second leg of the Chalfont Coaches Easter
Challenge which gets underway at 6p.m.
 SAM'S THE
MAN TO REPLACE INJURED DANNY FOR RACERS
The Reading Racers, the Wightlink Islanders opponents in
this weekends opening two matches of 2008 which sees them do
battle for the Chalfont Coaches Trophy, have named the
replacement for their injured reserve Danny Warwick.
That replacement will be 19 years old Sam Martin who this
year will be riding for Sheffield in the Premier League and
Scunthorpe at Conference League level.
Born on 8th February 1989 in Adelaide, the young Australian
first came to these shores to ride for Oxford in the 2004
Conference League. However, a broken thigh sustained
in a crash at the beginning
of October brought an abrupt end to Sam's season though.
The 2005 season was tough at times for Sam, but he came good
at a vital time towards the end of the season, to help the
Oxford to the league
championship. He has developed further as a rider riding for
Berwick in last year's Premier League before moving to
Sheffield in the close season.
REVISED LINE UPS SATURDAY'S MATCH
AT SMALLBROOK:
Wightlink Islanders: 1. Jason Bunyan
(Capt) 2. Cory Gathercole 3.
Krzysztof Stojanowski 4. Paul Fry 5.
Glen Phillips 6. James Holder 7. Andrew Bargh.
Reading Racers: 1. Mark Lemon (Capt) 2. Tomas Suchanek
3.Ulrich Ostergaard 4. Chris Mills 5. Tom P Madsen 6. Jamie
Smith 7. Sam Martin
 WIGHTLINK
ISLANDERS BOSS DAVE CROUCHER TAKES CHARGE OF BRITISH UNDER
21 DUTIES...
Wightlink Islanders boss Dave
Croucher has been appointed the British Under 21
team manager in a one year deal and will work with
former World Champion Mark Loram and
ex-Wolverhampton star Graham Jones under
co-ordinator Graham Reeve, the head of the Speedway
Control Bureau.
Speaking of his appointment a delighted Croucher
enthused,
"It is a great honour for
anyone to represent their Country, and I am very
proud to be a part of the Team GB setup for 2008. We
now need to instil in these young Riders, exactly
that same belief if we are going to make a fresh
start to putting British Speedway back on top at
Under 21 level, that it is an honour and a great
privilege to ride for Great Britain.
I think the whole idea of a Team style Management
setup is exactly what we need at the moment, and
from all aspects, from Rider coaching to
administration, we could not have a better Team than
Mark Loram, Graham Jones and Graham Reeve."
" There is no doubt that Mark
and Graham will do a superb job on the coaching side
and I am comfortable that I can contribute and pull
my weight at Managerial level. It is so important
that we continue to help bring on the excellent crop
of youngsters we have coming through, and to have
Graham Reeve taking care of the administration is a
dream, because that is where so much of the time
goes."
"We have a fresh Team with a fresh approach, and I
hope that some of the enthusiasm of the new
Management setup will rub off on these talented
young Riders and that they will stop thinking that
GB stands for 'gone bad', and that as of now, it
stands for GETTING BETTER."
" I have always had a strong
belief that if you feel you are second best, that is
where you will stay, and only a full belief that you
CAN be the best in the World will get you there."
Islanders co-promoter Dave
Pavitt feels that Croucher will do an excellent job
in his newly appointed role but was keen to stress
that his appointment will in no way affect his
duties with the Wightlink Islanders.
"Everybody here at the club feel that Dave's
appointment to the job is fully deserved and indeed
a real feather in the cap of this club of ours," he
said.
"In no way though will his additional duties hamper
what he already does here which is great,"
WIGHTLINK
ISLANDERS ROAR BACK INTO ACTION THIS SATURDAY...
At long last the long winter wait for
speedway fans on the island is over and the thrills and
spills of one of the most exciting sports in the land return
to Smallbrook Stadium this Saturday.
Yes the Wightlink Islanders roar back into action at
Smallbrook Stadium in Ashey Road, Ryde on Saturday evening
at 7.30p.m. when they clash with the Reading Racers in the
first leg of the Chalfont Coaches Trophy, the return
encounter taking place at the Berkshire track on Sunday and
getting underway at 6p.m.
As it's the Ester weekend, the Islanders
are staging a rare Saturday night fixture whereas, in the
normal course of events, they'll be in action on Tuesday
evenings with meetings getting underway at 7.30pm.
This weekend's two matches are a prelude
to to months ahead which will see skipper Jason Bunyan and
his men pressing for all the major honours in the 2008
Premier League which is contested by teams the
length and breadth of the country from Newport in Wales to
Glasgow in Scotland and from King's Lynn in the East to
Somerset in the west.
Following the official press at practice day last Saturday,
everyone within the Wightlink Islanders camp is confident
that the 2008 team is very strong indeed and a victory on
Saturday night is just the confidence-boosting start to the
season they are looking for.
Reading though will be hard opponents to
beat with many within the sport tipping them as potential
league champions this year and the fact that they include
no less than three former Isle of Wight riders
in their side will be an added bonus for them. They have
already been in action, recording a 54-37 home challenge
match victory over the Somerset Rebels on Monday of this
week in a match that saw three of
their side record double figure scores.
However their victory was achieved at a
cost with reserve Danny Warwick sustaining
a fractured ankle in his opening ride and thus he's ruled
out of this weekend's two matches with no named replacement
as
yet although, being a typical speedway rider, Danny's
already vowed not to remain sidelined for any length of
time!
The three former Wightlink Islander in
Reading's side are Danish star Ulrich Ostergaard,
Chris Mills who was a real fans favourite during
his spell at Smallbrook in 2003 and former Czech Under 21
champion Tomas Suchanek.
Add to that trio the talents of a second
Danish international Tom P Madsen who rode
for Manchester's Elite League club Belle Vue in 2006 before
linking up with Mildenhall last year , Australian skipper
Mark
Lemon and Jamie Smith and you can
see just why some are tipping them as potential 2008 league
champions.
But the Isle of Wight camp are confident that, despite their
lack of match practice at this stage of the year, they can
start the season as they mean to go on by beating Reading
and starting off the
new season on a winning note.
To encourage younger fans to come along
to this opening match of the season (under 5's are admitted
FREE. 5-10 year olds for £2 and 11 to 15s for £5 ALL with a
paying adult), the club have 200 copies of the excellent
children's speedway novel "Full Throttle" by Peter Birks and
John Goodwin to give away to kids entering the stadium on a
first come, first serve basis.
Hopefully the weather will take a turn
for the better for the Easter weekend and the teams will
line up as follows on Saturday:
Wightlink Islanders: 1.
Jason Bunyan (Capt) 2. Cory Gathercole 3. Krzysztof
Stojanowski 4. Paul Fry 5. Glen Phillips 6. James Holder 7.
Andrew Bargh.
Reading Racers: 1. Mark Lemon (Capt) 2.
Tomas Suchanek 3.Ulrich Ostergaard 4. Chris Mills 5. Tom P
Madsen 6. Jamie Smith 7. Sam Martin.
Click here
to view Reading's 2008 Team Profile
ISLANDERS BAG FIRST TROPHY OF THE
YEAR!
The new look Wightlink Islanders team bagged their first
trophy of 2008, not on the speedway circuit but by winning
the now traditional annual pool match at the Manor House pub
in Lake last Friday! "We were determined to get into the
habit of winning things straightaway," commented Glen
Phillips!
WIGHTLINK
ISLANDERS LOOKING GOOD...
Practically all the 2008 Wightlink Islanders squad managed
to beat the horrendous weather being experienced across the
UK this week and took to the Smallbrook circuit for the
first time this week in a practice session held last night
(Tuesday).
The only absentee was skipper Jason Bunyan who is en route
back to Britain after spending the winter both racing and
sunning himself on the opposite side of the globe in New
Zealand.
He'll be at Saturday's Press and practice day though and
whilst he wasn't present last night, the remaining squad
members looked good as they raced around Smallbrook and
every single one of them were full of praise for the track
itself which has been the recipient of a lot of tender
loving care over the course of the close season.
Southampton-based Glen Phillips, who'll be combining his
speedway duties for the Wightlink Islanders with an out and
out assault on this year's World Long track title, said "all
credit to the track staff here who it seems have worked
tremendously hard and have seemingly eradicated every single
bump around our 385 metre circuit.
"I've never known our track so smooth and I'm sure that the
racing here this season is going to be even faster than it's
been in the past and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see
Chris Holder's track record beaten."
The club's former Australian No.1 was present at the session
helping out his brother James who the Wightlink Islanders
have snapped up to partner Andrew Bargh at no's 6 & 7 in
this year's side. James having arrived in this country at
6a.m. on Sunday of this week after flying from his home in
Australia and immediately made his way to the south coast to
cheer on brother Chris in Poole's Golden Jubilee meeting.
ISLANDERS OUT FOR OFF
TRACK VICTORY ON FRIDAY!
The new look Wightlink Islanders team can't wait for Friday
for that is the day they have promised their fans the first
victory of the season - albeit at pool!
They'll be taking on the locals at the Manor House pub in
Lake in what has now become a traditional event and it's a
match they have vowed they are going to win to get them
straight into the habit!
"They are confident," said co-promoter Dave Pavitt, "but I
just hope that they don't have to enlist the services of any
of the management to actually play in the match otherwise
their confidence may well be misplaced!"
The event gets underway circa 8pm and aany supporters are
more than welcome to go along and support the side in their
first away match of the season!
AN
INVITE TO OUR PRESS & PRACTICE DAY...
We start this latest Press Release with a cordial invite to you and/or
your representatives to attend our official Press and Practice session
on Saturday March 15.
It will get underway at the stadium with a photo / interview session at
1pm with ample opportunity for both photos and interviews to be
completed before the 2008 Wightlink Islanders take to the the track at
approximately 2.15pm for a full afternoon's practice session around the
Smallbrook circuit during which there will be plenty of opportunity for
action photos to be taken.
We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us on the day and it
would be of assistance in terms of laying on a buffet for members of the
press if you could confirm your attendance or otherwise either by
Emailing our Press Officer Bryn Williams at the above address or by
telephoning home on 01322 348399.
AND A CHANCE TO CROON ALONG IN THE
EVENING!
To round off what promises to be a full day there's a "Rat Pack" evening
for all Sinatra and co devotees in the clubhouse in the evening -
admission now confirmed as set at £5, payable on the door.
ISLANDERS TRIO PREPARE TO FLY IN...
Three members of the 2008 Wightlink Islanders side - skipper Jason
Bunyan, Kiwi Andrew Bargh and Aussie James Holder - are busily packing
their bags in readiness to fly back into the UK after wintering on the
other side of the globe.
James's fellow Aussie Cory Gathercole is already back in this country
and took part in a live radio broadcast on BBC Radio Wiltshire last
night (Monday). As well as setting his sights on elevating himself to
the position of the Wightlink Islanders top rider this season, Cory will
also be taking on the role of Swindon's official No.8 in this year's Sky
Sports Elite League.
TIME TO SHAKE OFF THE WINTER COBWEBS...
Riders and supporters alike get their first chance to shake off the
winter cobwebs when most, if not all of the 2008 Wightlink Islanders
squad undertake a practice session at Smallbrook next Tuesday (March 11)
commencing at 7.30pm. Fans are more than welcome to attend free of
charge and get their first whiff of methanol fumes in 2008!
READING
& BACK ON EASTER SUNDAY FOR JUST £4!!!
The Wightlink Islanders will be staging their opening fixture of the new
season on Easter Saturday (March 22nd) and sees the staging of the first
leg of the Chalfont Coaches Trophy with the opposition being provided by
the Reading Racers. And the two sides will clash in the return less than
24 hours later on Easter Sunday at the Berkshire track with a six
o'clock start.
For that away leg, thanks to the generosity of sponsors Chalfont Coaches
and Wightlink Ferries, Islanders fans can travel to and from the meeting
for a mere £4 using the Fastcat service from Ryde pier to and from
Portsmouth with the rest of the journey being completed by Chalfont
Coaches starting from there.
Seats on those coaches are being snapped up very quickly indeed so
Islanders fans are gain urged to telephone the speedway office at
Smallbrook on 01983 811180 as soon as possible to book their places
before they all go.
 ISLANDERS
ASSET NICK SIMMONS LOOKS FORWARD TO TESTIMONIAL MEETING...
Stars, including 2008 Wightlink Islanders Krzysztof Stojanowski and Paul
Fry, and fans alike will be gathering at Newport's Hayley Stadium in
Gwent on March 16th to pay tribute to Islanders Nick Simmons as he
celebrates his first ten years competing in the rough, tough sport of
speedway.
He made his competitive debut back on the island back in 1997 at the
tender age of sixteen and has raced for a variety of clubs since then
including ourselves, Exeter, Stoke, Mildenhall and his current club
Newport for whom he'll be riding on loan from ourselves in the 2008
Premier League.
As well as our two Wightlink Islanders, other stars riding in the
meeting include 2007 British Grand Prix winner, Chris 'Bomber' Harris;
top Danish star Niels Kristian Iversen, American hero Billy Janniro,
rising young Brits Edward Kennett and Lewis Bridger, Australian Craig
Watson, Lakeside Hammer Leigh Lanham and Polish international Sebastian
Truminski.
Looking ahead to the meeting, Wightlink Islanders co-promoter Dave
Pavitt said, "On behalf of everybody connected with the Isle of Wight
Wightlink Islanders may I say that Nick fully deserves his testimonial
meeting and we all very much hope it's a huge success for one of the
sport's largely unsung riders but one who neverthess is one of it's
loyal servants."
JOHNO UPDATE...
Injured Wightlink Islander star Chris Johnson continues on his long road
to recovery following his horrendous crash at King's Lynn at the end of
last season.
Although ruled out of action for the forthcoming season with very
serious leg injuries as a result of that crash, Hayling Island-based
Chris fully intends to be at as many meetings as he can albeit as a
spectator and has acquired an automatic car to enable him to get out and
about.
As far as his injuries are concerned, he is hopeful that the medics will
tell him that he's making good progress when he returns to the John
Radcliffe hospital in Oxford for his next check up in a couple of weeks
time.
 GET
ON YOUR BIKE FOR SPORT RELIEF!
THE SOUTHERN CENTRE ACU in conjunction with The Island
Speedway (IOW) Ltd
WILL BE STAGING
A MOUNTAIN BIKE ENDURO
IN AID OF BBC SPORT RELIEF
on SUNDAY 16th MARCH
AT THE HOME OF THE WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS - SMALLBROOK STADIUM,
ASHEY RD, RYDE I.O.W
THERE WILL BE THREE CLASSES:
Class C up to 7years old,
Class B 7 to 14 years old
And A Class for over 14s
each class will ride a separate course
The C Class will start at 10am till 11am around the Speedway
Track
The B Class will start at 11.15am to 12.30pm on an approx ½
mile lap
The A Class will start at 1.30pm to 3.45pm on an extended
course of approx 1.25 miles with more severe conditions.
ENTRIES:
Registering will be on Saturday 15th from 10.am to 6pm,
Sun16th from 9am
FEES: Classes C and B £2.00 per entry,
Class A £5.00
(also sponsor lists will be issued for laps completed to
raise even more money for Sport Relief)
Note... A parent or Guardian must not only sign the entry
form but be present on the day for youth riders
(Helmets must be worn).
Bar and Fast Food will be available all day –Changing rooms
and showers available.
Certificates will be issued after the event to all finishers
but as this is a Charity event no winners will be announced
For Entry Forms E Mail
roycollins82@btinternet.com or phone 02392691803 –
or send a Stamped addressed Envelope to Smallbrook Stadium
GET PEDDLING AND HELP US RAISE
LOTS OF MONEY FOR THIS WORTHY CAUSE!!!
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