AFTER several weather-wrecked attempts to get on-track, the Isle of Wight Wightlink Warriors speedway team will get their 2018 season under way on Thursday when they entertain last season's league champions, Belle Vue Colts.

The Colts were the outstanding team in the 2017 National League and displayed impressive firepower when recording a 34-point win at Smallbrook last August.

However, this year has necessitated a change of personnel for the Manchester men, with several of their championship team having either moved into higher leagues, transferred to other teams or been prevented from returning due to injury.

Belle Vue Colts are boosted by the signing of former Islander, Tom Perry, who moved north from Cradley.

If the Colts do have an Achilles heel, it might be linked to their decision to track three inexperienced three-point riders in their seven, to balance the top end strength of the heat leaders.

This will not have been lost on Warriors team manager, Jackie Vatcher, who will be keen for her charges to get off to a quick start.

In new number one, Ben Morley, the Warriors have a rider who has been able to get in some valuable match practice with his championship team, Lakeside.

Island speedway co-promoter, Barry Bishop, is eager to see his Warriors team's season get under way.

He said: “I can’t remember a more disjointed start to a season. The atrocious weather has been so frustrating.

"However, it just heightens our anticipation and we could hardly ask for a better or more exciting fixture to open with.

"With local schools still on their Easter holidays, I’m sure we’ll have lots of vocal support and we can look forward to a cracking night, weather permitting."

The Warriors team will be Scott Campos, Ben Hopwood, Ben Morley, Adam Portwood, Jamie Sealey, Danno Verge and Chris Widman.

Turnstiles open at 5.30pm, with the pits open to view from between 5.45pm and 6.15pm. The grand parade of riders will take place at 6.45pm, with tapes up on the first race at 7p.m.

The ever-popular kids' on-track cycle or running race will also feature during the speedway interval.