Crowds flock to see the Spitfires swoop on the Island

MARK COOPER @ TRULY INDEPENDENT ISLAND PAIRS SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Smallbrook Stadium. 18th August 2026 report by Ken Burnett

Kent Spitfires emerged victorious in the Island Pairs Championship at the Smallbrook on Tuesday evening.  The meeting was a bit of a slow burner to start with, with team riding the rule over race winning, due to the unorthodox 4, 3, 2, 0 race points scoring. However, on another hot sunny evening, there were several exciting races, particularly heat 10 in which Kingston came from last to first after his partner Morley was excluded after a nasty second bend crash whilst in front.

After 10 qualifying heats, it was Ryde Rapiers pairing on Darryl Ritchings (15) and Danno Verge (7) had 22 points, with Kent second Ben Morley (10) and Jack Kingston (10) each on 20. Third were the Newport Nomads Freddie Hodder (15) and Ollie Binns (2) 17 and the last semi finalist Ventnor Vampires Arran Butcher (14) and Charlie Wood (3) 17. Ryde’s chance of victory disappeared after Danno Verge crashed out on turn one, disqualified from the restart by the referee as the cause of the stoppage.  His partner Ritchings came from the back in fine style for the win, but Butcher and Wood of Ventnor, went through to the final by picking up the minor points 5-4.

The second semi final, saw Newport’s Freddie Hodder produce a brilliant pass on both Kent’s Morley and Kingston, but once again the minor places saw Kent go through to the final 5-4.

However it was the Kent pairing of Morley and Kingston who both made a jet propelled start leaving Butcher and Wood to think what might have been, taking a maximum 7-2 race win to take the Mark Cooper Island Pairs title. 

Mark Cooper was a very happy sponsor, "The unique Best Pairs format and points scoring system delivered plenty of entertainment and dramatic moments for the bumper summer season crowd.

The semi-finals and final were an exciting and fitting climax to a thoroughly enjoyable evening as both meeting sponsor and spectator.  I am pleased and proud to support speedway on the island and see a bright future with a real buzz and fresh momentum around Smallbrook Stadium this term."

In the Woman's British Championship, it was 26 year old Tayla Street, who romped to a maximum to take the title much to the delight of the large Smallbrook crowd, with Tia Brant second and the Islands Anastasia Williams 3rd.  Promoter Martin Widman said "Yet another fantastic night of speedway at Smallbrook Stadium. The riders put on a great performance in front of the biggest crowd of the season and thanks go to Freddy Hodder and Ollie Binns for stepping in at the last minute to fill the vacant slots."

Next week sees the NORA BRITISH SPEEDWAY FINAL

Once again a top class line up is in place, and it's anyone guess who will take the title.

1. Jack Kingston, Kent

2. Charlie Wood, Cradley

3. Alex Spooner, Cradley 

4. Darryl Ritchings, IoW

5. James Laker, Unattached

6. Seth Norman, Cradley

7 TBC

8. Danno Verge,  IoW

9. Connor King, Kent

10. Arran Butcher, IoW

11. Harry Sadler, Mildenhall

12. James Shanes, Mildenhall 

Parade 6.45pm, Tapes up 7pm.

Image courtesy of Sportography.