'No Time To Relax' Says Wightlink Warriors Manager Ahead Of Tournament

Wightlink Warriors speedway team manager Steve Piper is calling for his riders to up their game in their upcoming tournament.

The Warriors are competing in the 'Three Team Tournament' against Cradley and Weymouth, in a three-leg competition at Smallbrook Stadium.

After the first leg, The Warriors are currently 12 points behind Cradley and 9 points adrift of Weymouth, leaving Piper with a lot to think about if they are to stay in contention for The Michael Richardson Trophy.

The Warriors are now looking ahead to leg two on Thursday (28) where the riders will be looking to recover and pick up more points.

Piper said:

“I can’t fault the boys’ attitude in the first leg, and we were right in the mix two thirds of the way through the meeting, but for some reason we seemed to get caught out over the final heats and both Cradley and Weymouth took full advantage. Planning how to maximise the tactical handicaps is going to be crucial and I have been thinking long and hard about how best to work those races to our advantage. One thing is for sure – we can’t relax at all, and we must still be recording good points right down to heat 15.

"Last time Alex (Spooner) and Connor (King) didn’t score as well as expected. Alex will miss this week as he is still recovering from the shoulder injury he sustained in that last race fall and we are fortunate that we can call on Arran Butcher from the Wightlink Warlocks to fill the gap. Connor is now much more settled following his move to Kent so I’m confident he’ll be far more competitive. With Ben (Morley) and Danno (Verge) undoubtedly capable of telling scores I’m quietly confident of a much better showing this time."

Adding to the occasion will be Round two of the NORA British Women's Championship.

Islanders Steph Whitlock and Anastasia Sallee sit on five and four points respectively, with Norfolk's Taya Thirtle currently topping the table with eight points.

The third and final round of the NORA Championship is scheduled for next Tuesday (August 2), where the top four riders on aggregate will compete in a winner-takes-all race off.

Gates for Thursday at Smallbrook open at 5.15pm, with the main event set to start from 7pm.