SPEEDWAY fans across the Isle of Wight are in for a feast of track racing this next week as the Wightlink Warriors stage two meetings packed full of exciting racers. 

Tonight (Tuesday), Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde will play host to the Wight Pairs Championship, when six duos will come under the control of six super keen enthusiasts, who wish to experience the hands-on pressure of speedway team management in a live meeting environment. 

They will be at the heart of the tactics and racing decisions for their pair, who will ride under a team name selected by the manager.

The teams will be out to topple last year's winners, the Surrey Sliders, who, due to injury and retirement sadly cannot track their 2022 side again.

However, the Sliders' manager, Mark Cooper, has recruited two new members for this meeting, wisely inviting Warriors skipper, Ben Morley, to team up with best mate and fit-again Rhys Naylor, to form an impressive pairing, with bags of local knowledge.

Recently-crowned Island Master, Arran Butcher, will link up with Belle Vue starlet, Freddy Hodder, to represent Charlie’s Champions, while exciting Brayden McGuinness will be riding alongside Aussie compatriot and UK debutant, Michael West, as part of Mirac’s Marvels.

Kiwi combo Jake Turner and George Congreve (pictured) join forces to represent the Speedway Ireland outfit, while Cradley Heathens team manager, Andy Hawthorne, will be utilising Lee Complin and Tom Woolley for his Hawthorne’s Heathens.

Lastly, the South Coast will delight in the appearance of the Pompey Warriors, being represented by Steve Boxall and Jacob Clouting.

Supporting the pairs event will be the first round of the Nora Women’s Championship, with Islanders Steph Whitlock and Anastasia Sallee hoping to unseat reigning champion, Katie Gordon.

The second round of the women’s event forms part of the second night of the week’s racing on Thursday, when the main event will see 12 top riders going all out for the Nora British Open Championship. 

Defending champion, Jason Edwards, will be hoping to secure his third successive title.

However, it will be no easy task, as Boxall, Complin, Butcher and others go up against him. 

The meeting will also enable the talented youth riders on the Island to perform their demonstration races, as part of the main events, as they battle it out for the Island Mini-Masters Award.

Gates open at 5.15pm, with the main event underway at 7pm.