Isle of Wight to host first street motorsport in 60 years

UPDATE: PHOTOS/VIDEO Isle of Wight hosts Sandown Sprint speed extravaganza

At the third time of asking, the Island Car Centre Sandown Sprint 22 is ready to go along Culver Parade today (Saturday) and on Sunday.

A full entry of 100 competition cars have been entered for the speed trial on a specially constructed sprint track.

The event heralds the return of motorsport on the Isle of Wight roads after a break of more than 60 years.

Originally scheduled to run in March 2020, the Sandown Sprint was an early casualty of the national Covid-19 lockdown, which also prevented the event taking place in 2021.

The Isle of Wight Council has approved the Motor Race Order which enables public roads to be used for motor racing.

Promoter Tim Addison said: “It’s a case of third time lucky. Fortunately there’s been a great amount of support both in Sandown and across the Island. We’d like to thank everyone for their patience.”

The Sandown Sprint has been sponsored by the Island Car Centre, with Wightlink Ferries as its travel partner.

Will Nicholls is the owner of the Island Car Centre in Rookley and no stranger to motor racing.

He has been a consistently successful competition driver for many years and is driving his M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta RS.

Will Nicholls will race in the Island Car Centre Ford Fiesta.

Will commented: "This is an exciting new initiative for the Isle of Wight.

"As the Island’s largest dealer of quality used cars we’re delighted to be supporting the event."

One of the biggest motorsports to enter is two-time world rally champion Miki Biasion.

Biasion will be driving Chichester-based rally car experts Rally Replay's Group A Lancia Delta Integrale 16V which was restored in collaboration with Biasion to be an exact replica of his 1989 San Remo winning car.

Miki Biaison, two time world rally champion.

The Island Car Centre Sandown Sprint is being organised and promoted by Solent working in partnership with the Isle of Wight Car Club, which is also the Motorsport UK organising club.

The club has processed applications as well as overseeing the track layout and build schedule.

The club also organises a series of car events throughout the year.

The 2020 Sandown Sprint sold out and as all tickets are being honoured there were no plans to sell any more for this year.

However, due to changes in the track layout there will be a limited amount of additional tickets available for 2022 - just 250 per day.

These can only be purchased online at isleofwightspeedtrials.co.uk/tickets.