New Isle of Wight speedway promoter Chris Hunt is hoping for a big turn-out at the Wave105 stadium on Easter Monday evening to support the Wightlink Islanders as they open their 2010 season with an International Challenge match against the American “Dream Team.”

And Chris has promised the visit of the American Dream won’t turn into a nightmare as far as the Islanders are concerned, as they attempt to get what promises to be another exciting season off to a winning start.

He said: “While the glorious UK spring weather has prevented us undertaking as much pre-season practice as perhaps we might have liked, everybody at the club is confident that we’ll be celebrating a first night win on Monday night.”

But it remains to be seen whether skipper Nick Simmons will be donning the No.1 race jacket despite the minor shoulder operation he underwent last week going well. “It might not be possible for Nick to ride so soon after undergoing surgery albeit that it was just to tidy up the after effects of several previous crashes in his career,” said joint team manager Kevin Shepherd. “But knowing him I’m sure he will if possible. At the moment it’s a question of waiting to see how things go I suppose but the main thing is that he’ll be back to fullfitness when our league matches start next month.

“Like Chris I’m really looking forward to Monday’s match and one thing that I’m sure everyone will be very pleased with is that it will be Brendan Johnson’s first competitive match since that horrendous crash he was involved in towards the end of last season.

“That saw him airlifted to Southampton General Hospital, being put into intensive care for four days before waking up from what was an induced coma and, in typical speedway rider fashion firstly telling all and sundry that he was hungry and then asking how his bike was!

“Injuries you accept as part and parcel of this sport of ours but the run of them that we suffered towards the end of last season was ridiculous! Still that’s behind us now and I’m sure that we’ll witness an exciting season opener on Monday as both teams look evenly matched on paper at least but, on track where it matters, I’m confident we’ll come out on top.”

Shepherd hopes things go well for him in person next Tuesday for he is due to attend an interview with the sport’s authorities that hopefully will lead to him becoming joint promoter of the 2010 Wightlink Islanders alongside Chris Hunt with them sharing the team managing duties on race nights both at home and away.

Monday’s match gets underway at 7.20pm with the parade of bikes and team introductions, the tapes are set to rise on the opening race at 7.30pm and admission prices this year are: Adults £10; children (10-15) £5; Children under 10 (accompanied by adult) free; programme: £2.