Following last week’s news that the NORA British Women's Speedway Championship is to be sponsored by Jason Waring, we now can introduce a second Island resident who plans to compete in the event.
Anastasia Sallee from Godshill (popularly known as Mouse) will be looking to join fellow Islander Steph Whitlock when the inaugural Women’s Championship takes place at the Smallbrook Stadium in July and August and for Mouse it will be the horsepower provided by a 500-cc speedway bike with no brakes and no gears that will take priority over her other passion in the equestrian arena.
It was 2016 when Mouse was bitten by the speedway bug (horsefly?). The return of racing to Smallbrook attracted the interest of her partner Morgan Williams and within no time both had become key volunteers at the Wightlink Warriors racetrack and encouraged by co-owners Barry Bishop and Martin Widman, the Island duo decided riding rather than watching was an itch that they had to scratch. With the Speedway training school ‘My First Skid’ right on their doorstep, practice has been relatively easy and by sharing knowledge and equipment, both have made progress year on year.
Now with the Ladies Championship on the horizon, Teaching Assistant Mouse (aged 24) is preparing to line up against seven other hopefuls. She said “Six years ago I had never heard of speedway, but it is addictive and going from a volunteer to a rider has been crazy. I have paced myself gradually, building up to a full blown 500cc machine and now that I have had time to get used to it, it is all about building on track know-how, speed and confidence.
Steph and myself know we are lucky that this Championship is being held on our home track and between now and the meetings I am looking to practice hard, push myself a bit more each time and give a good account of myself. I know I will have great support from my family, friends and the Warrior fans and I cannot wait to take part alongside the other girls”.