This week’s track action at the Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde on Thursday (25 August) will feature the annual speedway Best Pairs competition as the duo’s do battle for supremacy in a meeting kindly sponsored by Mark Cooper IFA @ Truly Independent. Add in another blast from the Flat Track riders from the Dirt Track Riders Association and it promises to be a hectic and noisy night’s entertainment.
In the speedway event the six pairs each have their own team name and a sponsor who will act as their team manager for the night. With several Smallbrook track specialists on show it should prove to be a fascinating evening especially if similar previous meetings are anything to go by as the 4,3,2,0 scoring system invariably produces unexpected outcomes. This season will see a further twist as a handicapping system is being introduced to test the skill of not only the better riders but the team managers as well.
The line-up is expected to be as follows:
Team 1 – Surrey Sliders – Danno Verge & Kelsey Dugard
Team 2 – Leonard Daniels Lions – Rhys Naylor & Chad Wirtzfeld
Team 3 – A.R.H Heathens – Connor Coles & James Laker
Team 4 – London Loonies Juniors – George Congreve & Jamie Sealey
Team 5 – Red Spanner Racing – Ben Morley (pictured) & Morgan Williams
Team 6 – Richardson Racing – Henry Atkins & Chris Watts
As usual the gates will open at 5.15 pm, fans can listen to the rider briefing at 5.45 pm before the youth section riders compete in their demonstration races around ten-past-six. The rider parade at 6.45 pm. will precede the main event at 7.00 pm. Drinks and refreshments will be available from either The Retreat snack bar or in The Premier Lounge throughout.
The bucket collection for injured rider Chris Mackett, together with other donations, has so far reached a total of £700.00 with further pledges to be received. The Wightlink Warriors management would like to thank all those who have contributed so generously.
Image courtesy of Ian Groves / Sportography