The final pre-season open practice session for the Wightlink Islanders speedway team took place this week in preparation for their opening match against touring “American Dream Team” on Easter Monday (April 5) starting at 7.30pm.

But action-starved speedway fans are more than welcome to attend next Tuesday’s practice evening, in addition to the media and hopefully representatives of around 150 local businesses to whom invitations have been sent.

The stadium gates open at 5pm and proceedings will get underway an hour later.

“All the lads are really champing at the bit for our season to get underway,” commented co-promoter Chris Hunt, “Some people on internet forums and the like are pooh-poohing us a force to be reckoned with this year, but I can tell them that their comments are only serving to really fire up our squad so my message is watch us go.”

The Islanders were out in force at last Saturday supporting their buddies from the island’s Raiders Ice Hockey team and publicising their own up and coming National League season.

Co-promoter Chris Hunt said,

“It was a great night all round, but our lads perhaps wisely drew the line when it was suggested that they might possibly like to don all the protective gear, put on skates and try their hands at ice hockey and I don’t blame them.”

Some 14 people were recipients of free tickets for the Wightlink Islanders’ Easter Monday opening home fixture against that touring American Dream Team.