It will be full-on summer programme of track sport at Ryde’s Smallbrook Stadium as the Wightlink Warriors management plan to deliver another varied programme of action that will introduce matches in the newly announced Nora Speedway League sponsored by Nora 92 who manage off-road motorsport in the UK.
The provisional calendar sees the first meeting set for Thursday 22nd June when the main event will be a full team challenge against a side representing the Rye House Rockets (for The Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy) with the usual pre-meeting demonstration races for the ‘keen-as-mustard’ youth riders, as well as a six heat improvers fixture featuring riders of Wizards / Warlocks standard.
In total thirteen meetings are planned over the holiday period with two meetings in the week commencing 17th July (on both the Tuesday and the Thursday). That ‘two-in-a-week’ period will permit the highly popular Nora British Women’s Championship to be condensed into two rounds which should make participation easier for some riders’ who found last season’s three separately spaced rounds a struggle.
Outlining his thoughts on the 2023 season, Warriors co-owner Barry Bishop said:
‘Martin (Widman – co-owner) and I have been assessing feedback on 2022 and we believe we have been able to respond with a meaningful and exciting programme for this summer that will appeal to participants and supporters alike and, of course, we are thrilled to be able offer team speedway via the new Nora Speedway League.
The response from our fans has been so positive since we named our riders last week and it is now ‘full steam ahead’ as we put the finishing touches to our events that will also feature the wonderfully entertaining Handicap Racing, Flat Track Racing, the Nora Upright Championship, the Nora British Open, a one-off Island Masters meeting and plenty of track time for those looking to progress their speedway experience within the body of our main events.
With the great news that Wightlink will be restoring the later Fastcat service to the mainland, we hope to highlight to mainland fans what our regulars already know – for a family friendly, affordable night out, Warriors can’t be beaten”.
As before, the demonstration races for the youth riders and up-and-comers will take place before all meetings and commence at 6.15 pm, with the main parade at 6.45 pm and racing starting promptly at 7.00 pm.
The fixture list below is, as always, subject to change at short notice with updates posted on the club website and Facebook page as soon as possible.
Thursday 22nd June – Warriors v Rye House (Challenge) plus Wizards fixture
Thursday 29th June – Warriors v Plymouth (Nora League) plus Flat Track
Thursday 6th July – Cradley v Warriors (Nora League at Smallbrook) plus Wizards fixture
Thursday 13th July – Nora Island Masters Open Championship plus Flat Track
Tuesday 18th July – Speedway Pairs Championship plus Nora Women’s Championship Round 1
Thursday 20th July – Nora British Open Championship plus Nora Women’s Championship Round 2 & Final
Thursday 27th July – US Style Speedway Handicap Event plus Nora Upright Championship Qualifying Round
Thursday 3rd August – Warriors Knock-Out Cup (Nora League) plus Nora British JAP Engines Final
Thursday 10th August – Nora Upright Championship Final plus Wizards Fixture
Thursday 17th August – Awaiting Confirmation plus Flat Track
Tuesday 22nd August – Warriors v Sittingbourne (Nora League) plus Wizards fixture
Thursday 31st August – Warriors v Cradley (Nora League) plus Flat Track
Thursday 7th September – Reserved - Warriors Knock Out Cup Final (Nora League) or Handicap Meeting plus Wizards Individual
Dates for the Warriors away meetings at Sittingbourne and Plymouth will be given in due course.