
The next sunshine speedway takes place tomorrow (Tuesday 7 August) as the ‘Wightlink’ Warriors stage the second round of the Vincent’s Antiques & Motorcycles Handicap Challenge, to be supported by six heats of Southern Development League (SDL) racing featuring the ‘Wightlink’ Wizards against the Weymouth Wildcats.
The handicap format sees the better riders starting 15 or 30 metres behind their opponents, the degree of handicap being based on their accumulated match average during the season to date. In the first round held in July, the action was of the highest calibre and culminated in a pulsating final race between Warriors top two of Ben Morley and Alfie Bowtell.
On that occasion Morley won by the width of a tyre and these two will lock horns again on Tuesday, however they can expect stiff competition from Tom Brennan of Eastbourne (deputising for the injured Nathan Stoneman) and first round finalist Taylor Hampshire who has had several impressive outings on the Island in recent weeks. Apart from Stoneman, the only other change to the first round line up sees Coventry charger Luke Ruddick join the duelling dozen.
The invited riders, in draw order, are:
Adam Extance (Stoke – 4.25), Ryan Terry-Daley (Plymouth – 5.30), Tom Woolley (Buxton – 4.95), Jamie Bursill (Unattached – 3.00), Ben Morley (IOW – 9.00), Taylor Hampshire (Kent - 5.76), Alex Spooner (Kent – 3.60), Luke Ruddick (Coventry – 6.76), Alfie Bowtell (IOW – 10.00), Tom Brennan (Eastbourne – 8.69), Danno Verge (IOW – 4.76), Shaun Tedham (IOW – 3.00).
Integrated within the Handicap event will be the ‘Wightlink’ Wizards SDL match and they will take to the track hopeful of recording their first home win against the homeless Weymouth Wildcats whose dedicated management continue to search out a permanent base in South Dorset. Island resident Morgan Williams will again be on-track for the Wizards, no doubt hoping for better luck following two testing SDL meetings so far.
Wizards: Chris Watts, Morgan Williams, Ben Ilsley, Rob Watts.
Warriors’ co-promoter Barry Bishop said, “This Tuesday we have a packed speedway programme with twenty one races alongside all our usual fun and entertainment. Round 1 of the Handicap event last month produced no less than forty passes and with the majority of the riders able to come back this week, I am expecting another spectacular meeting. We will back it all up with six heats of the ‘Wightlink’ Wizards in Development League action and integrate their races within the Handicap event. I’m excited already and look forward to welcoming everyone to the Andrew Younie Smallbrook Stadium”.
Gates open at 5.30 pm; enjoy open pit access until 6.15 pm, pre-meeting demonstration outings from the mascots and mini-Warriors from 6.15 pm ahead of the parade of riders at 6.45 pm with the tapes up at 7.00 pm.
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