The 2008 speedway season may now be officially over but it's still a very busy time both for the club as a whole and, in particular Wightlink Islanders co-promoter Dave Pavitt.

The effervescent director of operations on behalf of our club, in addition to attending our end-of-season awards presentation evening at the Wave 105 Smallbrook Stadium on Sunday, had to attend a meeting of Elite League promoters in Coventry yesterday in his capacity as a member of the Promoters' Association management committee, will chair the club's shareholder's annual meeting tonight (Tuesday) and then will be attending a meeting of Premier League promoters at the Hertfordshire base of the Rye House Silverski Rockets tomorrow.

After Monday's Elite League meeting, the BSPA issued a statement via it's press office in which Chairman Peter Toogood stated, “Due to the current and possible future economic climate, including the pressure of recession, decisions will be taken by promoters at the forthcoming AGM to secure the league’s immediate and long term future.”

Full details will be released immediately after the Promoters AGM which is due to finish on Sunday, November 16 and, in similar fashion, there is bound to be much discussion regarding any steps that might have to be taken at that AGM to consolidate the Premier League's future at tomorrow's meeting at Rye House.

Pavitt has stressed that, despite all sorts of speculation to the contrary from various sources , the Wightlink Islanders are determined to be operational once again in 2009 but concedes that things were tough at times over the course of the season just finished.

"We didn't have the best of seasons this year both on and off the track," he concedes, "but the main thing is that we battled through, we're still here and there's an absolute determination that come next March the tapes will rise on another new season at the Wave 105 Smallbrook stadium.

"We'll listen very carefully to all proposals made both tomorrow at the promoters meeting and at the forthcoming AGM when decisions will be taken that will affect both the major leagues and then act accordingly."

A FUN NIGHT FOR ALL...

Any possible concerns over the future were well and truly put to one side on Sunday of this week when the club played host to the final round of the Quad Racing Association's 2008 UK Championship which saw veteran Andy Heitman take the crown despite blowing his No.1 machine early in the meeting.

During the interval of that event, a massive firework display was put on by the Wightlink Islanders for the local population and was seemingly enjoyed immensely by young and old alike.

And, to round off the evening the club's riders, with the exception of Jason Bunyan and Kryzsztof Stojanowski who were both abroad, were present as the 2008 club awards were distributed and those awards saw Aussie Cory Gathercole not only take the "Rider's rider of the year" award but another that all riders at the club dread and that's the "Arse Upwards" trophy for the rider who falls off the most!

There was tremendous applause from both his team mates and all the supporters as well who were packed into the Premier Bar when the seemingly ageless Paul Fry was announced the winner of both the Supporters Rider of the Year, an award sponsored as usual by Michael and Kay Richardson, and also the trophy for the "Best supporting rider."

The ever-modest Fryer was genuinely taken aback at receiving both awards and the rapturous way the announcements of same were received by those present and simply said, "I've had a great time here and can't thank everyone enough."

ONCE AGAIN, WE'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THANKS TO YOU!

Yes we at the Wightlink Islanders really appreciate the tremendous coverage you have all given both the club and the exciting sport of speedway throughout the season just ended and would sincerely like to thank you all. We will continue to issue periodic press releases throughout the speedway close season as and when there is any news on plans on and off the track for next season or when there's any news on the club's riders to report as they contest meetings in their respective homelands. Once again thanks for your coverage of the club throughout 2008 and we hope to see you all again in 2009!

DON'T FORGET!!! For ALL the latest news, photos, results, statistics and everything you need to know about the Wightlink Islanders and upcoming events at the Wave 105 Smallbrook Stadium go to: www.islandspeedway.co.uk