'WIGHTLINK' WARRIORS & WIZARDS
WARRIORS SHALE TRACK RACING CLUB
HOME OF THE
2019 SEASON
2019 was the most successful season to date for the Warriors since they first took to the track in 2016. The team competed in 21 home and 14 away meetings, finished just three points off a playoff position and scored more away points and league points than in any previous season.
Major honours were collected on track with victory in the Silver Ski Four Team Tournament along with Second place in the National League Four Team Tournament. The club hosted a first in the UK, the NICE 2v Challenge which was an event where riders used standard engines drawn from a ballot before the meeting. It was an international affair including riders from Australia, Denmark and Poland along with riders in higher UK leagues. They also played host to the Oxford Cheetahs, who at the time were seeking to take control back of their stadium. Sidecar racing returned to the Island as the club hosted the 1000cc British Sidecar Speedway Championships round 1, which provided something different for the fans.
The Wightlink Wizards entered the newly formed Midland and Southern Development League, a league designed to teach riders to race and was a perfect steppingstone for riders of the club’s My First Skid school having their first experiences of racing. Continuing to use only riders from the school, the Wightlink Wizards finished on the rostrum in 3rd place, a truly remarkable result for the school students.
My First Skid continued to grow and gain further recognition throughout the sport. The school hosted everyone from those living the dream through to seasoned professionals looking to test their equipment out, the age groups ranging from 4 – 78 and was a remarkable success finding more riders for speedway both adult and child. School students took part in every meeting on the Island by taking to the track before matches to entertain the fans.
The Stadium continued its improvement with the media centre in the pits, TVs in the grandstand showcasing live racing, action replays, sponsors adverts and previous meeting footage. The bowser was fully serviced and refreshed as well as many other items at the stadium from the track to the pits and much more.
The clubs profile and standing within speedway continued to grow and gain recognition, with the club being awarded the prestige titles of 'Community Club of the Year' for a second time and the 'Most Improved NDL Team'.
All in all, 2019 was another season the Warrior fans could be proud of.
All meetings represented below are available to purchase on DVD.
Click HERE for more information.
Press & Practice Day : Isle of Wight 'Wightlink' Warriors & Wizards : 04/04/2019
GB Under 21 Semi Final 1 : Isle of Wight : 16/04/2019
Isle of Wight 'Wightlink Warriors' vs Mildenhall 'Fen Tigers' : National Trophy : 25/04/2019
Isle of Wight 'Wightlink Warriors' vs Plymouth 'Gladiators' : National Trophy : 02/05/2019
2019 WARRIORS STARTING LINE-UP
Georgie WOOD : Connor KING : Chris WIDMAN
Ben MORLEY (Captain ON BIKE) : Ryan TERRY-DALEY
Danno VERGE : Chad WIRTZFELD (Kneeling)
Images by Sportography
2019 WARRIORS FINISHING LINE-UP
Georgie WOOD : Jackie VATCHER (Team Manager)
Ben MORLEY (Captain On Bike) : Scott Campos
Chris WIDMAN : Chad Wirtzfeld
Connor KING : Danno VERGE (Kneeling)
Images by Sportography
MARTIN WIDMAN
CO-PROMOTER
JACKIE VATCHER
TEAM MANAGER
BARRY BISHOP
CO-PROMOTER
GEORGIE WOOD
STARTING AVERAGE - 9.28 : FINISHING AVERAGE - 9.60
DATE OF BIRTH : 8 September 1993 - Maidstone, Kent.
BRITISH CAREER
(2015-16) Eastbourne, (2017-18) Sheffield, Eastbourne, (2019) Eastbourne, Isle of Wight
Georgie moved along the South Coast from Eastbourne to join the Warriors in the number 1 position and started his Island journey as the highest averaged rider in the team. The Smallbrook track suited his never say die racing attitude, regularly seeing him utilise the high banking on bends 3 and 4 to gain positions over his rivals. These manoeuvres very quickly endeared him to the Warrior fans, and together with Ben provided the Warriors with a formidable paring in heats 13 & 15 at both home and away matches. Although a great season for Georgie which saw him up his starting average and retain the No.1 position, his Warriors season ended in early August with a racing injury, followed by a suspension from riding which prevented him seeing out the season in the Warriors race jacket.
BEN MORLEY (Captain)
STARTING AVERAGE - 9.13 : FINISHING AVERAGE - 9.25
DATE OF BIRTH : 10 March 1994 - Southend, Essex.
BRITISH CAREER
(2009-10) Rye House II, (2011) Rye House, Hackney, (2012) Rye House II, (2013) Kent, (2014) Lakeside, Kent, (2015) Redcar, Kent (Pairs Champion & National League Rider Champion), (2016) Lakeside, Rye House, Rye House II (Four-Team Championship
winner), (2017) Rye House, Lakeside, (2018) Lakeside, Isle of Wight, (2019) Isle of Wight
Ben had a welcome return as captain after a successful 2018 season with the Warriors. A true professional both on and off track, he always made himself available to the fans and the media, had great respect from his fellow riders and maintained his stance as a top performer in the National League. Once again he provided consistent high scoring power both home and away and was always there to be counted on to come up with the goods when it mattered. He was the highest points scorer in the team along with being the fastest Warrior around the Smallbrook circuit in 2019.
DANNO VERGE
STARTING AVERAGE - 4.83 : FINISHING AVERAGE - 5.95
DATE OF BIRTH : 26 March 1996 - Greenwich, London.
BRITISH CAREER
(2014) Scunthorpe II, (2015-16) Kent, (2017) Mildenhall (National Trophy winner), (2018-19) Isle of Wight
Danno returned to the Island off the back of a solid 2018 season for the Warriors, and it turned out to be his best season to date. A big fan favourite, Danno made friends with the Smallbrook circuit and often used the high banking on bends 3 and 4 to make vital passes on his way to consistent powerful scoring in the engine room of the team both home and away. Injury not only halted his progression in early August, it also hampered him on his return to the side and along with taking a few knocks, he struggled to regain the form he showed earlier in the season.
SCOTT CAMPOS
STARTING AVERAGE - 6.28 : FINISHING AVERAGE - 4.86
DATE OF BIRTH : 1 May 1989 - Ipswich, Suffolk.
BRITISH CAREER
(2004) Mildenhall, Rye House II, (2005) Mildenhall, Boston, (2006) Boston, (2007) Oxford II, (2009-16) King’s Lynn II, (2017) Isle of Wight, King’s Lynn II, (2018) Isle of Wight, (2019) Plymouth, Isle of Wight
Scott started the season with Plymouth but struggled to find his previous form on the tight circuit which saw him released by the Gladiators mid season. This was perfect timing for the Warriors who were looking to make a change to the team, so Scott returned to the Island on a bargain low average and settled back into his No.3 position. His calmness, professionalism, approachable demeanour and wealth of knowledge for the sport saw him as the 'go to' guy in the pits amongst his team mates.
CHRIS WIDMAN
STARTING AVERAGE - 3.32 : FINISHING AVERAGE - 3.52
DATE OF BIRTH : 25 March 1990 - Leicester, Leicestershire.
BRITISH CAREER
(2005) Scunthorpe, (2008) Boston, (2009-10) King’s Lynn II, (2011) Belle Vue II, (2012) Buxton, (2013) King’s Lynn II, Isle Of Wight (National Trophy winner), (2014-15) Stoke, (2016) Isle of Wight, Mildenhall, Stoke, (2017-18-19) Isle of Wight
The Warrior fans were jubilant with the news of Chris Widman re-signing as a Warrior for a forth term. An ever present during the season, Chris started in the difficult No.2 position which saw him battle with engine power issues, making him work overtime for every point. Dropping down to reserve midway through the season didn't bring the upturn in fortune Chris had hoped for as he struggled to regain his previous seasons form around the Island. Despite this, he remained a firm fan favourite and his commitment to the side was always applauded and appreciated. His passion for team success was always evident in the teams victory parades.
CHAD WIRTZFELD
STARTING AVERAGE - 2.00 : FINISHING AVERAGE : 3.67
DATE OF BIRTH : 21 August 2003 - Poole, Dorset.
BRITISH CAREER
(2019) Isle of Wight
Chad began his British League speedway career in the reserve birth for the Warriors in 2019. A familiar face on the Island as he had been the clubs mascot since the birth of the Warriors
and an almost ever present at the My First Skid training school previously. Chad was one of the youngest riders in the league but took to it instantly, providing excellent returns both home and away which rewarded him his promotion into the main body of the team midway through the season. The No.2 position is always a tricky one in any team, but Chad made it his own and his progression throughout the season was a joy to watch. When he was out front he was fast and smooth, and when he missed the gate he never gave up and provided many of the seasons memorable passes on the Smallbrook track. Chad was awarded the 'Most Improved Warrior of the Year' along with accumulating the most bonus points.
CONNOR KING
STARTING AVERAGE - 2.00 : FINISHING AVERAGE : 3.74
DATE OF BIRTH : 29 August 1998 - Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk.
BRITISH CAREER
(2019) Isle of Wight
Connor joined the Warriors as a relatively unknown quantity despite good showings whilst guesting for the Warriors in 2018. He brought a youthful, jokey yet calm demeanour to the pits which very quickly took the hearts of those on the terraces. He made good, steady progression throughout the season both home and away despite a few knocks and bangs, earning him the title of 'Upside Down Warrior of the Year'. It's fair to say his improvement was seen in all areas of his racing making him a popular member of the team, so much so that he walked away with both the riders and fans 'Rider of the Year' awards.
RYAN TERRY-DALEY
STARTING AVERAGE - 5.22 : FINISHING WARRIORS AVERAGE - 4.75
DATE OF BIRTH : 5 April 1994 - Hammersmith, London.
BRITISH CAREER
(2012) Mildenhall, (2013-14) Coventry 2, (2015) Stoke, (2016) Coventry 2, (2017) Stoke, (2018) Plymouth, (2019) Isle of Wight, Leicester
Ryan moved along the South Coast to join the Warriors from Plymouth, coming into the team with plenty of experience racing on the Smallbrook circuit. A long riding supporter of
speedway on the Island, having taken many guest bookings in our various open meetings held throughout the years. Despite his consistency, hard work and determination, Ryan struggled to hit the form expected by the management as third heat leader, and was released midway through the season.
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