The Wightlink Warriors experiment of hosting a ‘Winter Warmer’ track spectacular proved a rip-roaring success as 63 riders ignored the intermittent slight drizzle and produced 40 heats of close quarter racing at Smallbrook Stadium yesterday.
With speedway, flat track and grass track (GT140) represented, the meeting had something for everyone and produced a super exhibition of machinery handling skills and great racing warmly appreciated by both local fans and some who had travelled from Peterborough, Plymouth and the Midlands to enjoy some out-of-season action.
And it was quite a sight with some races having 12 riders on track at one time whilst other heats pitted conventional petrol power against the latest electric bike technology.
Fittingly the main finals that rounded the meeting out were all races of great quality, skill and determination from all competitors and drawing a very positive response from Wightlink
Warriors co-owner Barry Bishop who said,
“What an excellent training meeting ridden under true race conditions. I have to admit to a bit of concern as the light rain in the air lingered around the stadium, however not one rider complained about conditions, they just rolled their sleeves up and got on with their racing in a terrific spirit of cooperation and at the end of the meeting I was delighted to receive many compliments which makes me think we should try this again fairly soon”.
Summary results from Warriors Winter Warmer:
Open Flat Track A Final
1. Jack Bell
2. George Pickering
3. Rowan Haughey
GT140 A Final
1. Wayne Broadhurst
2. Cameron Taylor
3. Ian Clark
Minibike Flat Track Final
1. Chris Bailey
2. Max Inman
3. Mike Fisher
Development Speedway A Final
1. Chad Wirtzfeld (pictured)
2. Arran Butcher
3. Jamie Sealey
Open Flat Track B Final
1. Anthony Brown
2. Vince Hurst
3. Christian Loveday
GT140 B Final
1. Richie Knight
2. Darren Sargeant
3. Adam Hawker
Development Speedway B Final
1. Morgan Williams
2. Jake Breeze
3. Jamie Evans
Junior Speedway Rider of The Day
Charlie Southwick