Wightlink Warriors Secure Speedway League Title

Sunday, 20 August 2023 06:00

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Image courtesy of Ian Groves/Sportography

The Isle of Wight Wightlink Warriors have been crowned the inaugural Nora No Brakes Racing League Champions following a meeting at Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde.

Thursday night (August 17) saw them hold off the attentions of close rivals Sittingbourne and Cradley in an entertaining meeting that included the fastest race time at the circuit since April 2017.

That rip-roaring race win went to up-and-coming GB starlet Freddy Hodder who was representing Sittingbourne on the night, his time of 68.0 seconds eclipsing the previous recent best of 68.3 seconds set last summer.

Hodder — who featured in the race of the night with Warriors' Ben Morley in heat 12 — was in great form for the Crusaders alongside Kiwi Jake Turner, the pair registering six wins out of ten.

It wasn't enough to defeat the Isle of Wight team though, as a close contest ended up with a narrow victory. The Wight Warriors scoring 32 points. with Sittingbourne and Cradley each securing 29.

It meant the Warriors ended the campaign with 96, Sittingbourne 81, Cradley 74 and the unfortunate Plymouth 30.

Co-owner, Barry Bishop, said:

“I’m absolutely delighted that the Wightlink Warriors have secured the first Nora No Brakes Racing League crown and it’s a bit like a fairytale really.

"The riders are the real stars of our show and deserve great credit because they have worked together with Steve Piper to overcome a few (blips) along the way and have come out on top."

"Wow, it sure feels good right now!”