SPEEDWAY IS BACK ON THE ISLAND

A ‘summer season’ of six meetings gets underway at the Isle of Wight’s Smallbrook Stadium on Tuesday 28th. July, with the visit of Cradley A.R.H. Heathens to contest, the annual Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy.  

Following the resignation of former promoter Barry Bishop, the run up to the season hasn’t been an easy one but Martin Widman, now sole promoter, has been helped by a band of volunteers who have all worked tirelessly to get the stadium ready for speedway to start.

Changes have been made and Martin has brought in former Warriors rider Henning Loof as their new Team Manager, Henning has a wealth of experience as a rider and is sure to add some flavour to the team and help guide them.

Danno Verge emerges from retirement at his local track to captain the Warriors who include in their line-up, world number Four from the recent FIM Women’s Gold Cup, Aussie Tayla Street, a relation to three times World Champion Jason Crump and former, Exeter and Newport racer Neil Street, and don’t take this rider lightly, has she has hit the ground running, beating some well know riders in the UK, including a heat 13 win in Hastings 45-45 draw in Kent last week.

Also in the Warriors team are Ryan Ingram, vastly experience although still young, Ryan certainly knows a fast way around Smallbrook.

Mickie Simpson, this young rider has shocked a few with his progress and is bound for higher leagues in the sport and certainly is one to watch.

Returning for anther stint for the Warriors is Arran Butcher, Arran missed a fair part of last season due to injury, but he is back and ready to go again, and very popular on the Island and really could well be a match winner.

Completing the home side is Charlie Southwick is back as well and another who is fast improving and is sure to pick up some points with his never say die attitude.

Cradley will certainly be no push over and have a fine record at Smallbrook and once again are fielding a strong team including an Aussie first timer on the IOW in their line up too, in Harry Sadler, Harry is son of former Rye House, Peterborough and Island rider Nigel Sadler, as he told me, I don’t race for second, I race to win, he will love the wide open spaces on the Island.

They are lead by the fiery James Shanes, Shanes is one of the most spectacular riders in British speedway and is certainly going to take some stopping.

Shanes will be partnered by Ashford based Nathan Hargrave, Hargrave had a tough baptism to team racing last season, but this year has shown a vast improvement after attending the Paul Hurry/Scott Nicholls “Try Speedway” training schools.

Alex Spooner also come with a pedigree of exciting racing, Alex seems to have been around for ages, but he is still relatively young, but another who knows a very fast way around the Island circuit.

Charlie Wood rates the Island as his favourite track, not surprising really and the Kent based rider, often picks up double points totals when he visits, making up the visitors line up is Seth Norman, another teenager who is fast learning.

Full line ups;

Isle of Wight Wightlink Warriors

1. Ryan Ingram 2. Mickie Simpson 3. Arran Butcher 4. Charlie Southwick 5. Danno Verge(c) 6. Tayla Street

Cradley Heathens

1. James Shanes  2. Nathan Hargrave  3. Harry Sadler  4. Alex Spooner  5. Charlie Wood (c) 6. Seth Norman

On the undercard, in a typically packed order of events, is the annual NORA J.A.P. British Championship – with title holder, Dean Felton going up against the two previous winners of this event for riders mounted on historic J.A.P. machinery, Keith Cornell and Graham Knowler.

The line up JAP championship is:

Keith Cornell, Dean Felton, Graham Knowler, Andy Hickman, David Hammond, Rob Snow, Daniel Owen, Giles Dismore.

The action gets under way at 7pm.

Affiliation Terms

NORA affiliation is conditional upon compliance with NORA Rules and Regulations throughout the affiliation year, running from 1 January to 31 December.
The organisation/club is responsible for its own supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation and operational procedures. NORA affiliation, or the issuing of an RTA permit, does not mean NORA has checked, approved or accepted responsibility for those documents.
NORA reserves the right to suspend or revoke affiliation, licences and permits where an organisation fails to comply with NORA requirements or where serious concerns are identified.

1. Annual Affiliation and Compliance

Affiliation with NORA 92 Limited trading as NORA Motorsport (“NORA”) is granted on an annual basis, commencing on 1 January and expiring on 31 December of the relevant calendar year, unless suspended or terminated earlier.
Affiliation is not automatically renewed. Each organisation/club must complete the annual affiliation process and receive confirmation of acceptance from NORA.
By applying for and accepting affiliation, the organisation/club agrees to comply with all applicable NORA Rules and Regulations, policies, procedures, safety requirements and permit conditions throughout the affiliation period.
The organisation/club acknowledges that continued affiliation, the issuing of Road Traffic Act (RTA) exemption permits and access to NORA licensing and insurance arrangements are conditional upon ongoing compliance with these requirements.

2. Organisation/Club Responsibilities

The organisation/club accepts full responsibility for the planning, organisation, management and safe operation of all activities and events conducted under its authority.
This includes ensuring that appropriate documentation, procedures and safety measures are established, maintained, implemented and enforced.
In particular, but not limited to, the organisation/club is responsible for:
Preparing, maintaining and implementing its own supplementary regulations, ensuring they comply with applicable NORA Rules and Regulations.
Preparing and maintaining appropriate health and safety documentation, including risk assessments, method statements, emergency procedures and event safety plans.
Ensuring all documentation complies with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements and NORA Rules and Regulations.
Ensuring all officials, employees, volunteers, contractors and other persons acting on behalf of the organisation/club are aware of and comply with the relevant regulations and procedures.
Ensuring that appropriate safety measures are implemented and maintained throughout each event or activity.
Ensuring that circuit certificates are in place, valid and adhered to where applicable.
The organisation/club acknowledges that responsibility for the adequacy, accuracy, legality, implementation and enforcement of its own supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation and internal procedures rests with the organisation/club.

3. NORA’s Role and Limitation of Responsibility

NORA provides the regulatory framework under which affiliated organisations/clubs may organise and conduct approved motorsport activities.
Affiliation with NORA, or the issuing of an RTA permit, does not constitute confirmation, certification or approval by NORA that an organisation/club’s supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation, risk assessments or internal operating procedures are adequate, compliant or suitable for their intended purpose.
Unless expressly confirmed in writing, NORA does not undertake responsibility for preparing, reviewing, verifying or approving an organisation/club’s internal documentation.
NORA shall not be responsible for any failure by an affiliated organisation/club to prepare, maintain, implement or comply with its own supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation or internal procedures.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, NORA shall not be liable for losses, claims, damages or consequences arising from such failures by the organisation/club.
The organisation/club acknowledges that NORA affiliation does not transfer responsibility for the safe and compliant organisation of events from the organisation/club to NORA.
Nothing in this Agreement excludes or restricts any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

 

4. Road Traffic Act (RTA) Exemption Permits

RTA permits issued through NORA are granted strictly on the understanding that the organisation/club and the relevant event will comply with all applicable NORA Rules and Regulations, permit conditions and regulatory requirements.
The issuing of an RTA permit is conditional upon compliance with NORA’s regulatory framework and does not relieve the organisation/club of its responsibilities under applicable legislation or its own supplementary regulations and safety procedures.
An RTA permit must not be interpreted as confirmation that NORA has independently inspected, verified or approved all aspects of an event or the organisation/club’s internal documentation.
Where NORA becomes aware of, or has reasonable grounds to suspect, non-compliance with its Rules and Regulations, permit conditions or relevant safety requirements, NORA reserves the right to:
Refuse to issue an RTA permit.
Suspend or withdraw an RTA permit already issued, subject to applicable legal requirements.
Require corrective action or additional documentation before permitting further activities.
Suspend or terminate the organisation/club’s affiliation.
Suspend or revoke any NORA-issued licence or authorisation, subject to the applicable licensing rules and procedures.
NORA may take immediate action where it reasonably considers this necessary.

5. Non-Compliance and Withdrawal of Affiliation

Compliance with NORA Rules and Regulations is a fundamental condition of affiliation.
Where an organisation/club fails to comply with these requirements, or fails to maintain and implement appropriate supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation or operational procedures, NORA reserves the right to investigate and take appropriate action.
Such action may include suspension or termination of affiliation, refusal or withdrawal of RTA permits, and suspension or revocation of NORA-issued licences or authorisations.
NORA may request evidence of compliance, including copies of supplementary regulations, risk assessments, health and safety documentation and other relevant records.
Failure to provide satisfactory evidence of compliance may result in the suspension or withdrawal of affiliation, permits or applicable licences.
Where reasonably practicable, the organisation/club will be given an opportunity to respond to identified concerns. However, NORA reserves the right to take immediate interim action where necessary for safety or regulatory reasons.