RUSSELL DAVIDSSON looks back on the life and times of former Weymouth Wildcats skipper  Martin Yeates
The Dorset Echo Monday 31st January 2005
Martin Yeates’ successful speedway career could be likened To a Dorset sandwich: With two large chunks of doorstep bread, he started and finished his career at Poole and in the middle enjoyed a large smattering of spreadable points at Weymouth. Their was also a very successful season at Oxford in 1977 and a few outings for Swindon, but it was Poole and Weymouth where the Salisbury based rider will be most fondly remembered.

However despite being one of Pirates all-time greats, scoring almost 2000 points in 352 matches for the club which began in 1971 and ended in 1987, the popular Yeates says if he walked back into a speedway track tomorrow he wouldn’t be referred to by his first name. . For Yeates now 51-years of age and running his success Salisbury Caravan Centre, almost perfected the art of being one of the sports quickest speedway riders from the tapes to the first corner and for that was known to all and sundry at Poole as ‘Trapper’ Yeates. He admitted “I will always be known as ‘Trapper’ never Martin. Early on in my career I decided that if I made quick starts it would make racing easier for me. I think it was the Aussie influence at Poole where the word ‘Trapper’ appeared. It stuck and I never minded the nickname.”

Incredibly, Yeates never broke a bone in a 16-year career, which included the honor of becoming the first National League rider to reach the Overseas Final in 1984 as a Weymouth rider. He had qualified to the Overseas via a high placing the British final at Coventry which included beating eventual British champ, the late Kenny Carter. Martin recalled “I beat Kenny at the British Final to qualify and made the first corner in front in four of my five rides at the Overseas Final, but the other guys had better equipment and sailed past me out of the second bend.”

He was first drawn to the sport at the age of eight after hearing the noise of speedway at Swindon. “I had relatives, who lived in Swindon and Malmesbury, so once I heard the roar of the bikes at Blunsdon nearby I wanted to go and see what speedway was like. “As a kid I was fascinated by speedway. Eventually I turned my hand to grasstrack and in 1971 was spotted by Brian Collins who was riding for Poole at the time. “Although I was only a rookie, I ended up having a couple of meetings at Poole that season. In those days you could attend loads of training schools and Mike Broadbanks was running one at Matchams Park. Mike was also riding in the old Second Division for Chesterton (who later became Stoke) and suggested I link up with him in the Potteries in 1972. From there Dave Lanning, who was co-promoter at Eastbourne, signed me for the Sussex side after I impressed him while riding for Stoke at Arlington. I joined the Eagles, but it was in the days of the kamikaze kids at Eastbourne and a battle just to get into the team. There was one occasion where I broke the track record and the following week was dropped from the side!”

Whoever said Alex Ferguson was the first man to start squad rotation in sport didn’t know anything about Eastbourne Speedway in the Glam rock Seventies! In fact, it was at Eastbourne where Yeates suffered his most scary speedway moment when he fell into the Sussex Stadium’s centre green well during and end of season prank. “The tradition of ‘turning over’ the promoter after the final meeting almost ended in disaster for me. We all agreed we would throw Dave Lanning into the well on the infield, but unfortunately I was behind Dave and fell in with him. Not being able to swim and with a full set of heavy leathers on I was struggling to keep my head above the water. In the end it was Dave who fished me out but not before my life flashed before me! I moved from Eastbourne to Weymouth in 1975 and quickly established myself at Radipole Lane with an eight plus average in my first season there and added another half point in 1976.”

However it was 1977 at Oxford where he really started to hit the giddy heights with a 10.59 tally, an average that prompted him to make a full-time leap into the top flight in 1978 at Poole. “I think I did okay during my couple of years with the Pirates,” he said. “But when Mervyn Stewkesbury took over at Weymouth in 1980 I decided to rejoin the club. I absolutely loved riding for Mervyn and Pete Ansell and I think that reflected in my scoring.” But after four years at Weymouth and regular outings for top-flight Swindon, it appeared the points machine was heading out of Dorset after being told Weymouth was about to close. “Mervyn spoke to the riders during the close season of 1984/85 and said we would need to look around for new clubs as Weymouth Speedway was closing down due to the stadium being sold. Of course it was a big shock.

“Then out of the blue, I had a call from Merv saying he had taken over at Poole Speedway. Switching with the same nucleus of team and a mix of the Weymouth supporters and the always appreciative Poole public I found the move seamless. I enjoyed a couple of years at Wimborne Road in 1985 and 1986 where we finished runners-up and during 1987 I made my mind up that it would be my last year. I wanted to start my own business and I didn’t want to put Mervyn in a situation where he had to come and say to me that I wouldn’t be in the team. I knew how meticulous Mervyn and Pete were in averages and getting their sides into the strangest position. I realized that if they were looking for improvements within the averages mine was not going to get better, so it would have made my position potentially vulnerable. I am proud of the fact that I retired with the number one race jacket on my back at Poole and with an average of over eight points.”

By the end of the  I980s, Martin had launched his Salisbury Caravan Centre, but he still had a final chapter to write in speedway. He linked up with his former promoters Stewkesbury and Ansell as team manager when the Poole management took over the Swindon franchise in 1993. “It wasn’t until becoming team manager at Swindon that I understood what a thankless task running a team is. It’s taken for granted if you win, but lose and everyone starts to study where potentially the team manager could have made changes to win the match but failed!” After two years as team manager he joined Pete Toogood as co-promoter taking over the reins from Stewkesbury and Ansell in 1995. But his stay as a promoter lasted just two seasons. “I felt as co-promoter in 1995 and 1996 I could combine my outside business and have speedway as my hobby. But speedway just took over my life and by the end of 1996 I realized if I didn’t get out my business would suffer.”

Martin’s diet of speedway these days is restricted to watching most of the championship on Sky and he still subscribes to the weekly trade magazine, Speedway Star. He continued: “I don’t get to much speedway these days but via Sky I have been able to keep progress of Poole’s excellent Elite League success. I’m absolutely delighted to see the Pirates have been doing so well. It’s also great to see Neil Middleditch doing so well. He was best man at my wedding over 30 years ago. Even today he is as infectious about speedway as he was as a teenager and it is wonderful to see it is rubbing off on everyone at the place.”

And Martin’s 30-year plus marriage to Jane has yielded three children and a son-in-law to continue his interest in the sport. “My daughter Sherri is married to up and coming Isle of Wight rider, Krister Marsh, my other daughter, Nicola, lives in Ferndown, while son, Mitch is still at home with us. I try and keep away from advising Krister too much about speedway. When I was a rider I always believed that you should be judged by your away performances. I have told him I will front up a brand new complete bike for him if he can better my scoring one weekend in my prime where at Canterbury I scored a 21-point maximum, Boston (18 maximum) and Scunthorpe (20 out of 21). In 72 hours, I managed 59 out of a possible 60 points. I’m not asking too much from him!”

Yeatsy will always have a great affection for Poole Speedway. “My vivid recollection is being a teenager and sitting at the top of the steps on an oil drum by the back straight grandstand at Wimborne Road and looking at my heroes in the pits. To me they were like David Beckham, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney. Incredibly within two or three years I was one of those riders in the pits. I remember feeling so proud walking across the centre green to the dressing rooms. I had a fabulous time riding speedway and feel privileged to have worked for Mervyn Stewkesbury, Pete Ansell and the great Pirates public. They never failed to support me from day one and for that I will always be grateful.”

But it must be recorded that ‘Trapper’ was acknowledged by the Poole public because of his loyalty and dedication to the sport he loved. They also knew he was a pretty good gater too! Dorset sandwich? A 16-year racing career in which he never collected a broken bone proves he was a rider who always used his loaf.
 

WEBSITE CHANGE
By Tim Helm Tuesday 13th January 2005
Weymouth Speedway will for the 2005 season be running their own website, this is due to become live any day, a link will be placed on the homepage of this site shortly.

Mad Web Design who have run the main site and message board for the last year and a half as a full sponsorship package have been unable to commit to the amount of time required to update the site on a daily basis due to increased commitments and an additional new business venture that is to be launched prior to the new season.

As a good will gesture this site will remain live together with the message board for supporters to continue to be able to communicate with each other. We still hope to be able to bring live updates from as many meetings as possible during the year.

Sponsored sites by Mad Web Design for 2005 still have to be finalised, although junior George Piper and new Arena Essex signing former world speedway champion Gary Havelock remain onboard. Both committed to Mad Web at the beginning and continue for another year. One addition although not a Speedway rider, is ‘A’ class motocross rider Paul Williams joining the fold with Mad Web branching out.

Three more major additions to Mad Web’s stable will be announced soon.
 

STAFF & PRESS DAY
By Tim Helm Tuesday 11th January 2005
Prospective members of staff can apply directly to Brian White on Tuesday 15th February in the Wessex Stadium Bar from 7.30pm for a position for the 2005 season.

Meanwhile this years Press and Practice day has been set for Saturday afternoon 12th March with a start time of 4.00pm
 

LEGEND HEADS FOR WILDCATS
BY PAUL BAKER
SPEEDWAY legend Ivan Mauger is set to make his first ever visit to Weymouth’s new Wessex Stadium in March. It’s hoped the six-times world champion will be coming to the resort as part of the visiting Dream Team USA who take on the Wildcats in an international challenge on Good Friday. The star Kiwi is helping with some of the arrangements for the American’s tour and is also involved in coaching the side. He has now been asked to accompany the side in the UK and is expected to accept the invitation.

Weymouth boss Brian White explained: "The USA visit already promises to be a great event and now we have the chance of hosting one of the sport’s greatest riders as well. "Ivan Mauger is a name known to thousands of people, speedway fans and non-speedway fans, and it will be a great coup to see him at the Wessex Stadium. "At the moment it is not confirmed that he will be coming but it looks likely. He is very involved with the USA side and has been asked to tour with them and be on hand for their riders in the pits." He added: "As with any sport there are a number of real greats in speedway and Ivan Mauger is definitely one of them."

Dream Team USA have named a squad of eight riders for the tour which begins at Stoke on Wednesday, March 23. Other fixtures include a clash with Sittingbourne and a match against a Scotland Select outfit.  The Wildcats press and practice day will take place at the Wessex Stadium on Saturday March 12th at 4pm. The club will also be holding a Staff Recruiting Night in the Wessex Stadium bar on Tuesday, February 15 at 7.30pm.
 

DOUBLE DOSE OF TOP CLASS RACING IN STORE
BY PAUL BAKER
SPEEDWAY fans are in for a double dose of top class racing in Weymouth over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. On Good Friday March 25 the Wildcats entertain Dream Team USA in an international challenge match with a qualifying round of the British Under 21 Championship being held three days later on Monday March 28. Wessex Stadium boss Brian White is delighted to be hosting two such prestigious meetings and is confident they will put the Radipole Lane circuit on the speedway map as a breeding ground for young British talent.

He explained: "When we brought speedway back to the town in 2003, one of our main objectives was to provide a venue at which youngsters could shine. This we have started to do with the introduction of a weekly training school and these two Easter bank holiday meetings are further strings to our bow. "Last year we hosted a round of the Under 15 Championship which was a great success and later we held a meeting between Great Britain Under 21s and the Rest of World. With the Americans now coming and a British Under 21 qualifier, I think few people could argue that Weymouth is a track that has the future of British speedway at heart."

While excited at the prospect of the USA invasion, it’s the British Under 21 meeting that has really pleased White and his hard-working team of track staff the most. "It’s a real coup," he said. "When I saw that the BSPA were looking for host tracks I was straight on the phone to offer our services. Not only is it a great advert for the club but it’s also fantastic for the supporters. They will get the chance to see the cream of Britain’s youngsters in action with regulars from both the Premier and Elite Leagues likely to take part. It may well be that they see a future world champion, at least that’s what we all hope. We’ve got a hard working and dedicated team of volunteers down here in Dorset and I know they are delighted with the news. The BSPA wouldn’t have picked us if they thought we weren’t up to the task and it’s a real pat on the back for everyone who works so hard to keep Weymouth speedway alive."

He added: "Hopefully they’ll be room in the qualifier for a couple of home riders for the fans to cheer. Dan Giffard, Lee Smart and Jack Gledhill are all candidates and I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed." The Weymouth qualifier will see the top six riders move on to the British Under 21 final at Rye House later in the summer. From there, the best finishers go forward to the World Under 21 qualifying rounds and final.
 

MAIN TEAM SPONSOR FOR £250!
BY PAUL BAKER
BUSINESSES are being offered the chance to sponsor the Weymouth’s Conference League speedway team for just £250 plus VAT. That’s the cost of a ticket to enter the Wildcats Patrons draw which will see the winner named as the club’s main sponsor for the new season. The lucky firm to be drawn out of the hat first will see it’s name become part of the side’s title, such as Weymouth ‘Joe Bloggs Builders’ Wildcats. Aside from that, the company details and logo will appear on the riders race jackets along with a whole of other benefits including a full page advert in the Wildcats match programme.

The runner up in the draw gets their name on the Wildcats race suits while the third prize is to have your details on bike handlebar covers. And nobody loses out in the draw with all those taking part receiving a programme advert and two season tickets.

Wildcats boss Brian White said: "It’s a fantastic opportunity to back the speedway team and publicise your business name both locally and nationally. Weymouth speedway riders are featured almost every day in the Dorset Echo during the summer and in national magazines, on television, radio and websites. "On top of that the winner will also receive a full page advert in the raceday programme, name on the race jackets ten season tickets, ten tickets to the end of season dinner plus lots of other publicity throughout the year. The second and third prizes are also very attractive with names on the race suits and handlebars respectively plus adverts and tickets for the 2005 and season at the Wessex Stadium. And we’ve made sure everyone gets something with the offer of a programme advert and two season tickets for all those who enter the draw."

He added: "At just £250 plus VAT an entry, this offer amazing value for money and will suit the budgets of companies both big and small. Speedway is one of Weymouth’s biggest success stories in recent years and your firm could be part of that success story." A total of 100 tickets will be made available for purchase with plenty having been sold already. To make sure your business has a chance of backing the Wildcats contact Brian White now on 01305-769358 or 07793838787.
 

WILDCATS READY FOR AMERICAN INVASION
BY PAUL BAKER
WEYMOUTH is preparing for an American invasion. Dream Team USA are heading to the Wessex Stadium on Good Friday, March 25, it was confirmed today. The Yanks will be taking on the Wildcats in an international challenge and home boss Brian White predicts a ‘festival of speedway’ that night.

He explained: “It’s a long time since an American side toured Britain and we’re delighted to be on their schedule. “The Good Friday meeting could be our first of the season and what a curtain-raiser that will be. “Speedway in the USA has been through a lean spell in recent years but is now beginning to gather momentum again. Back in the 80s and 90s they boasted massive stars like Bruce Penhall and Shawn Moran but for some reason there was a bit of a lull. Obviously guys like Greg Hancock and Billy Hamill have kept the flag flying but generally there’s not been a lot of youngsters coming through. The idea of the tour is to change all that. The riders coming over are all youngsters who are tipped for big futures in the sport and it will be great to host them at the Wessex. “Americans are traditionally hard riders who like to entertain and so it should be a real festival of speedway on the night.”

Dream Team USA will ride five times in Britain starting against Stoke on March 23. Other opposition include Mildenhall and Sittingbourne before ending the tour against a Scotland Select team at Edinburgh on April 2.

American boss Steve Evans said: “We’re looking forward to touring and visiting Weymouth especially. It should be a great experience and a chance to try out different surfaces and track sizes. “The matches will be the British 15-heat format and so we’re planning to do a few of those sort of meetings in the USA before we travel. “This tour will not only ready our riders for future European careers, but will also raise their quality of racing back home and give us more top line riders at our weekly race tracks.”

USA tour squad: Chris Kerr, Shaun Harmatiuk, T J Fowler, Billy Hiles, Dario Galvin, Tim Gomez, Neil Facchini, J.T. Mabry, Dale Facchini.
 

WILDCATS PROGRAMME RATED "BRILLIANT" WEYMOUTH
Wildcats have received top marks for their race-day programme
By PAUL BAKER
The publication is described as 'brilliant' in a review published in the Speedway Star. The review says: "Whoever designed the Wildcats 2004 programme certainly knows a thing or two. (The cover was designed as was the comeback cover in 2003 by Tim Helm of Mad Web Design, using photographs by Jay Eastwood, Tim also supplied away fixture reports for inclusion in the programme).

"Its design is quite brilliant and while designed in-house and printed on a laser printer, here is an in-house production which tests the rest. "Basic in its design, but tastefully put together, the Wildcats production destroys the theory that in-house work looks amateurish. "One of its top features was a Conference Trophy grid of fixtures and results, and together with a nice mix of stats and a great fixtures page, this programme is likely to have pleased all those who ventured down to the sport's newest circuit on the southcoast."

The Weymouth programme, printed by Weyprint in Caroline Place, received a maximum six star rating, much to the delight of promoter Brian White. He said: "It's a super review and it's a great honour for the club. A match-day programme is a vital piece of equipment for speedway fans and it's nice to know we're doing a good job. "I'd like to thank everyone involved in its production, particularly the staff at Weyprint. Also thanks to our many contributors such as Ray Collins, Derek Smithson, Steve Piper and photographer Julie Martin."
 

IT'S ALL WHITE FOR WILDCATS
Brian White will continue as Wildcats team manager next season
By PAUL BAKER
The Weymouth speedway promoter took over the role on a caretaker basis after Mike Vernam stood down because of work commitments in July White had planned to advertise for a permanent replacement but today announced his decision to remain in the post. And to help ease the pressure for the Wildcats boss on race nights, supporter and businessman Phil Bartlett has been elected co-chairman of the Wessex Stadium club.

 White explained: "It was never my intention or wish to be team manager and I only agreed to do it after Mike Vernam was forced to stand down suddenly because of increased work commitments. "Initially I was just going to do it until the end of last season and then look for someone else during the winter. "What's changed my mind is that a number of riders have been on to me and asked if I'd consider doing the job on a long-term basis and so I've agreed. "Running the team is something I really enjoyed, more than I thought I would, and so I'm really looking forward to the challenge.

"Bartlett, a partner in Weymouth-based firm Active Mobility, will now be in charge of all non-racing matters at Radipole Lane including sponsorship and corporate hospitality. White added: "Phil is a massive Weymouth speedway fan who runs a very successful business in the town and is the perfect man to do the job. He's already put a lot of time and money into the club and having him around takes a lot of the pressure off me. "He knows everyone at the track really well and he's the main sponsor to David Mason and Dan Giffard. He's now begun a big sponsorship drive and it's great to have him on board."

Bartlett said he is proud to have been appointed co-chairman and urged local firms to get behind the Wildcats push for Conference League honours in 2005. "I'm proud and pleased to been given this opportunity by Brian," he explained, "and of course it's very important to have a strong team off the track as well as on it. "I'm looking forward to working for the club and I would appeal to local firms and businesses to support what is a very popular and successful sport. "A big part of my job is to attract new sponsors and anyone wishing to get involved is very welcome. At the moment we have things like the prestigious handle bar sponsorship available for £5,000 down to meeting and heat sponsorship for smaller budgets. "These are exciting times for the Wildcats and I really believe we could win the league next season. It's a good time to be involved and I look forward to a great future for the club and its fans." Anyone wanting more information about sponsoring the Wildcats can contact Phil Bartlett on 07841 042475.
 

THE COMPLETE WILDCATS
Signatures of captain Mason and youngster Bates finish White's 2005 team
By PAUL BAKER
WILDCATS boss Brian White has completed his line-up for next season. The Weymouth team manager today confirmed that both skipper David Mason and teenager Matt Bates have now signed new contracts to ride at the Wessex Stadium in the summer. He explained: "There was never any problem with either of them signing. It was just a case of getting around to doing it. "I've now been to see both guys and I'm delighted to announce that their contracts have been signed. "Obviously it's a big relief to get both riders sorted because it now means our team is sorted for the new season.

"There's still some work to do in terms of building a squad but I had a starting seven in mind and all of them are now committed to Mason's return to Radipole after White decided to sanc-The club which is great." Mason's return to Radipole Lane was never in doubt after White decided to sanction the former Rye House star a testimonial meeting next August. The Eastbourne-based rider will again captain the Wildcats and is looking forward to the new season. He explained: "I committed to Weymouth back in October when last season ended and so there was never any question of me not signing again. "I love riding for and captaining the Wildcats and I think we can really go places in 2005. "Brian has put a very strong side together and I'm excited about our prospects. It's also a big year for me with my testimonial and I'm determined to make that a night for the fans to remember."

Meanwhile 15-year-old Bates will take the remaining reserve berth after turning down offers from a host of other interested outfits. White added: "Matt is a big hope for the future and I'm not surprised there was interest in him. But he wants to ride for Weymouth which is excellent news and I think he'll be playing a big part in 2005." Wildcats confirmed signings for 2005: David Mason, Gary Phelps, Lee Smart, Jack Gledhill, Dan Giffard, Lewis Bridger, Matt Bates.

TORNADO GATHERS PACE
‘EXCLUSIVE’ By Tim Helm Sunday 27th February 2005
The ‘Taunton Tornado’ rising Speedway Star Paul Candy held his 2005 launch party at the Royal Oak in Stoke St Gregory. The Royal Oak, the latest addition to the speedster’s impressive and increasing list of sponsors have come on board to back Paul this season. Paul revealed at his professionally put together launch evening that he will be riding for Weymouth in the Conference League and Exeter in the Premier League, both as squad members.

Paul commented “Lew Coffin who has been influential in my career was guest of honour. I appreciated his speech and his kind words, he still has so much advice to offer as he has been doing for many riders past and present. Other sponsors present for the launch were Mike Spearpoint, Jon and Jacqui Dixon from Weymouth, Herritage Tree Surgeons, Talon from Yeovil, MD Racing also from Yeovil, SW Kitchen Fitters, Castrol, Gary Evans Racing Products as well as The Royal Oak.”

Continuing, Paul added “The Royal Oak coming on board is fantastic for me they have helped with a cash injection which has all gone into this seasons new bikes. They laid on a super spread and wouldn’t accept a penny from me. I can’t thank them enough as a fantastic night was had by all who attended. Everyone joined in the fun and games such as killer skittles and £50 in a straw!” £250 was raised towards the cost of Paul’s set up this year helping the Taunton based rider.

Paul will be riding Stuha frames this season rather than Jawas that he rode last year, “They seem to suit me very well, after trying them out at Weymouth and Newport where I was well on the Premier pace. I have GM engines this year which are being looked after by Ricky Neal” said Paul in between spending time with his sponsors.

To sum up the evening and his prospects for the fast approaching season Paul commented “I aim to put right everything that went wrong last year and to ride my way into a team slot at Weymouth. With regular second half rides at Weymouth as well as Exeter and Somerset who have allowed me to have a run out after their Premier League meetings. I can’t thank the promoters at each club enough for giving me track time and being so supportive. If another Conference League team can fit me in during the season Brian White won’t stand in the way of me joining a rival team to guarantee me regular rides should the opportunity arise.”
 

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO BE WILDCATS SPONSOR
By PAUL BAKER Saturday 26th February 2005
Weymouth Wildcats will have a new sponsor next week. The dub are holding their patrons draw at the Wessex Stadium on Monday night with the winner being announced at 7.30pm. Scores of companies have-bought tickets for the event, all hoping to have their name associated with the town’s Conference League speedway team. And if your firm isn’t one of them, it’s not too late according to Wildcats boss Brian White.

He said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to the patrons’ draw with some firms buying more than one ticket. For £250 plus VAT, entrants have the chance to have their name slotted in between Weymouth and the Wildcats for the whole season. Last year we were known as the Weymouth Haven Wildcats after our sponsors Haven Holidays and lots of people want to have that opportunity this season.”

He added: “If you haven’t bought a ticket yet then there’s still chance. They are available right up to the moment the draw is made at 7.30pm.” Aside from having their named linked with the team, the winner will also receive a superb package which includes advertising, programmes and season tickets.

There are also second and third place prizes and every entry will receive two season tickets and a programme advert. “It’s great value for money,” added White “with something for everyone. It should be a good night too on Monday and everyone is welcome down at the Wessex Lounge for the draw.” Anyone wanting to buy a ticket before the event should call Brian White on 07793 838787.
 

STADIUM STORE PLAN HITS SNAG
Planning inspector calls for fresh look at Asda supermarket scheme
By JAMES TOURGOUT Tuesday 22nd February 2005
PROPOSALS for a new football stadium and supermarket at Weymouth Football Club’s Wessex Stadium suffered a blow in a planning report today. The proposals  for a scheme involving Asda moving from the town centre to the present football ground site and a new stadium being built next door  were the challenged in a report from Weymouth and Portland’s Local Plan inquiry.

Planning inspector William Cunningham called for the scheme to be looked at again in a wider examination of shopping provision in the area. Mr Cunningham headed an inquiry into Wevmouth and Portland Borough Council’s proposed new local plan last year. Mr Cunningham branded the council’s strategy as not ‘soundly based’ because the Wessex Stadium site was within West Dorset District Council’s area and that planning permission from West Dorset was not guaranteed. He did not rule out the scheme but recommended that the two councils join forces to draw up an overall retail strategy to meet the needs of shoppers in the area. Coun Doug Hollings, borough council briefholder for the environment, said: “We felt it was a sensible suggestion and that’s why it was in our local plan. “West Dorset was not convinced of that. Now we need to get together with other local authorities in the area.”

He added: “We accept that what the inspector said was probably sensible and that it needs to be looked at in a wider context.” The scheme was set to breathe new life into Weymouth Football Club and give Asda a new site. The Local Plan identifies land use proposals up to 2011 and includes policies which all planning applications have to meet with. The inquiry into it was held last year. Mr Cunningham confirmed that the Orange Route for a relief mad should be included in the local plan. He said: “The evidence before me demonstrates that the Orange Route has materially less detrimental environmental impact than the Brown Route.” Mr Cunningham also supported council housing proposals and its intention to maintain ‘important open gaps’ of undeveloped land at Preston Downs and Markham and Little Francis.

The report also recommended the deletion of 40 per cent of the housing allocation on land south of Lorton Lane for a wildlife corridor. Coun Hollings added: “We are delighted the inspector has supported the retention of our important green spaces and generally supports the council’s view of how the borough should be developed. “There is a lot of work to do now in considering all the inspector’s recommendations In detail.”

The plan will now be considered by the council and proposed modifications will be published in the summer for public consultation before it is adopted at the end of the year. Weymouth FC chairman Martyn Harrison was unavailable for comment this morning.
 

PREMIER DREAM
By PAUL BAKER Monday 21st February 2005
EX-WEYMOUTH star Ben Barker has set his sights on breaking into Premier speedway, after being nominated as a member of the National Auto-Cycle Academy. Barker, who will be 17 in March, progressed to speedway after developing as a grasstrack racer. He is in his 11th year of grasstracking, having already won the world under-18 championship, and has twice secured the British Schoolboy Championship.

The Oxford Silver Dream Academy teenager is now looking forward to the new season, hoping to build on the limited Premier experience he gained last season. He rode for the Isle of Wight at Newport and scored an impressive seven paid nine points, but failed to get among the points in a couple of outings for Edinburgh at Rye House and Reading.

Barker began racing speedway in 2003 when he rode for his local track Trelawny in the Conference Trophy, following the demise of Trelawny he also rode for the Wildcats the same year and was a regular in their pre-Conference League side, winning the clubs best young rider award.

“The 2004 season did not go quite as well as I would have liked because of a couple of injuries,” said Barker. “I broke my collarbone riding for Coventry and then did my right leg while riding my scooter on the road when I was traveling to school at St. Austell for examinations.” Despite being told he would be out of action for around three months, Barker was back on his bike within four weeks and finished the season on a strong note.

“Although 2003 was a good year for me and I really enjoyed riding for Weymouth. I’ve always done well at the Wessex Stadium and look forward to riding there every time,” he added “But I just felt I learned more in 2004 and riding at Weymouth in the Great Britain under-21 side against the Rest of the World was one of the highlights.” His performance saw him selected as one of the eight Speedway Academy students and he has already had two sessions with the Academy “I am looking forward to the new season and will be hoping to begin the process of progressing from Conference racing to the Premie rLeague;” said Barker. ‘I had to make a choice between speedway or going to college because the time and travel involved meant it was not possible to combine the two. Speedway was my choice and now I’m determined to make sure it was the right one.”
 

MYSTERY MAN MAKES WILDCATS COMPLETE
By PAUL BAKER Monday 21st February 2005
BRIAN White has revealed that his Wildcats team building is complete. The Weymouth manager’s plans were thrown into chaos a fortnight ago when he was forced to release Gary Phelps following the introduction of the Conference League’s controversial new grading system. Former Isle of Wight man Phelps was given a maximum grade 11 along with Wessex Stadium captain and number one David Mason. And with teams only allowed one top grader each, White had no choice but to let the ice speedway star go.

Phelps’ departure left the Wildcats chief needing a grade seven rider to complete his 42-point side and he’s now found one. But supporters will have to wait to find out the newcomer’s identity because of a confidentiality agreement. White explained: “The new grading system really caught me on the hop and it’s been a very busy couple of weeks since. Losing Gary was a huge blow and trying to find a replacement has not been easy “Fortunately I’ve now managed to sort things out and have shaken hands with a grade seven rider who will be coming to ride for Weymouth this season. At this stage I can’t reveal his name because his parent club have asked me not to but there will definitely be an announcement very soon.

‘All I can say is that I’m delighted with who have got and I think the fans will be very pleased as well. We’re talking about a rider with plenty of potential and who has ridden the Wessex Stadium track well and so it’s good news all round.” Meanwhile the Wildcats are offering youngsters the chance to watch their glamour curtain-raiser meeting against the USA on Good Friday free of charge. More than 500 complementary tickets are being made available to schools, youth clubs and individuals. White explained: “It’s one of the biggest meetings ever to be held in Weymouth and it would be nice to see the place packed. “What we will be doing to offering free tickets to youngsters so that they get the chance to come and see speedway for the first time.”

Any youth organisations or schools interested in receiving free tickets to the meeting should contact Brian White on 07793838787.
 

YOUNG WILDCATS TO FLY THE FLAG
By PAUL BAKER Saturday 19th February 2005
WEYMOUTH will be represented by three riders when the first qualifying round of the British Under-21 Championship comes to the Wessex Stadium next month. Dan Giffard, Jack Gledhill and Matt Bates have all been named in the starting line-up for the opening event on Monday March 28 (730pm). In all there are five Wildcats in this year’s championship with Lee Smart and Lewis Bridger taking part in the second qualifying round at Mildenhall the following Sunday “It’s great news for the club,” said Weymouth boss Brian White. “Staging one of the three qualifying rounds was a fantastic boost for the club but to have five riders out of seven taking part in the championship is really good going. “I don’t think any other Conference League club can boast five participants and it’s really good that we’ve got home riders taking part at the Wessex Stadium.

“I’m sure the fans will have turned out whoever was taking part but to have three Weymouth riders for them to cheer is the icing on the cake. “Dan and Jack in particular have a very good chance of progressing and it will be a good experience for Matt who is only 15. Hopefully we’ll get a few supporters traveling up to Mildenhall on the following Sunday because that’s a round our own Lee Smart could do really well in.” The 16-rider line-up for the Radipole Lane curtain-raiser includes Great Britain Under- 21 internationals Chris Schramm, Ben Barker and Chris Johnson while others who will be among the leading fancies are Steve Braidford, the exciting James Cockle and Weishman Tom Brown.

White added: “It’s a teriffic card and we’re going to be in for some great racing. The British Under-21 Championship offers a route through to the World final and these guys will be giving it everything. “The meeting comes just a couple of days after we take on the USA at the Wessex so it’s going to be a great Easter weekend of speedway in Weymouth.” The top four scorers from each qualifying ~ round wlll qualify for the British under-21 final at Rye House on Saturday, April 30. Four riders, Daniel King, Edward Kennett, James Wright and Richard Hall, are seeded and have been given byes through to the final

British Under-21 Championship  qualifying rounds Iine ups:

Monday, March 28, Weymouth  draw: 1 Chris Schramm, 2 Steve Braidford, 3 James Clement, 4 Gary Cottham, 5 Chris Johnson. 6 Dan Giffard, 7 Ben Barker, 8 James Purchase. 9 James Cockle, 10 Luke Priest, 11 Jack Gledhill, 12 Matt Bates, 13 Tom Brown, 14 Jamie Courtney, 15 Kyle Hughes, 16 Jeremy Pestell. Stand-by reserves (in order): 1 Michael Mitchell, 2 Kriss Irving, 3 Ashley Johnson, 4 Mark Baseby.

Sunday, April 3, Mildenhall  draw: 1 James Brundle, 2 Jason King, 3 Luke Bowen, 4 Ross Parker, S Tommy Allen, 6 Lee Smart, 7 Harland Cook, 8 James Theobald, 9 Darren MaIlett, 10 Steve Boxall, 11 Matthew Wright, 12 Scott Campos, 13 Ben Wilson, 14 Adam Roynon, 15 Barry Burchatt, 16 Lewis Bridger. Stand-by reserves (in order): 1 Michael Mitchell, 2 Kriss Irving, 3 Ashley Johnson, 4 Mark Baseby.

Sunday, April 10, Scunthorpe  draw: 1 William Lawson, 2 Danny Norton, 3 Richie Dennis, 4 Simon Lambert, 5 Jamie Robertson, 6 Sean Stoddart, 7 Benji Compton, 8 Andrew Tully, 9 Karl Mason, 10 Jack Hargreaves, 11 John Branney, 12 Adam McKinna, 13 Barrie Evans, 14 Charles Wright, 15 Gary Beaton, 16 Shane Waldron. Stand-by reserves (in order): 1 Michael Mitchell, 2 Kriss Irving, 3 Ashley Johnson, 4 Mark Baseby.
 

BRIDGER IS DEFINITELY A WILDCAT
By Paul Baker Thursday 17th February 2005
BRIAN White has hit back at rumours suggesting rookie signing Lewis Eridger has quit the Wildcats. Messages have appeared on a number of speedway related websites claiming the 15-year-old hot prospect has joined Wimbledon Dons. But White today scotched those rumours and assured Wildcats fans that Bridger will be taking his place at reserve when the season begins next month.

He explained: “I don’t know where this rumour started but I’d like to put the record straight before it goes any further. Lewis is a Weymouth rider and will defmitely be in our side this season. I can understand the Wimbledon connection because the lad rode all their second halves at Plough Lane last year. They were very keen to sign him when he turned 15 but he decided to join us instead. Wimbledon were understandably disappointed not to get Lewis and that’s why there’s a link between the rider and club. I think someone has picked up on some duff information and I can promise supporters there’s no truth in it whatsoever. Like I say, I just want to nip it in the bud before it goes too far, the story that he’s left us has appeared on various different speedway fans’ websites and it’s very unsettling for the lad.”

He added: “Unfortunately it’s something you have to put up with in sport but it’s not helpful to any-one, least of all the rider concerned.” Bridger, who has spent the winter working on his equipment with Sussex-based neighbour and fellow Wildcat Dan Giffard, is due to sign his Weymouth contract later this week.

White added: “Lewis is due down in the next few days to sign his contract although everything as been agreed verbally. Once that happens he can get on with the business of  preparing for the start of the season on Good Friday.”
 

WILDCATS SET TO RECRUIT
Dorset Echo Monday 14th February 2005
A STAFF recruitment and video evening is being held by Weymouth Wildcats tomorrow night. Anyone interested in working at the Wessex Stadium this season is invited to attend along with last year’s track staff.

Wildcats boss Brian White said: “All speedway supporters can come and it will be good to see a large turn out. The main aim is to sort our staff for the coming season and there are a number of jobs and positions available. We’ve also got a couple of videos of last year’s meetings at Coventry and Newport and we’ll be showing them at the same time.”

He added: “We’ll get the staffing matters done first thing and then it will be the videos.”

The event takes place in the Wessex Lounge at the Wessex Stadium and starts at 7.3Opm
 

MASON MISSES OUT BSPA PUTS THE BRAKES ON SKIPPERS TESTIMONIAL
By Paul Baker The Dorset Echo Saturday 12th February 2005
DAVID Mason's hopes of holding a testimonial meeting this summer have been scuppered by British Speedway Promoters Association (BSPA). The Weymouth Wildcats skipper had booked a star-studded line-up for the Wessex Stadium in August to celebrate ten years in the sport. Great Britain internationals Dean Barker and David Norris had already confirmed their availability with a number of other top riders also expected to support the former Rye House rider's big night out. But Mason has now been told he can't run the event in 2005 and must re-apply to the BSPA for permission to hold it next season.

Wildcats boss Brian White said: "David is naturally very disappointed by the decision and so are we as a club. A lot of work has already gone into organising the night and it was a real blow to be told it couldn't happen. What appears to the problem is that although David has done ten continuous years in speedway, which is what's needed to be granted a testimonial, it's not been just at Elite or Premier League level. What the BSPA are saying is that testimonials can only be sanctioned on that basis and that years spent in the Conference League don't count. Also they claim they have had far too many requests for testimonials for this season and so they've had to get strict with the rules."

He added: "It does seem a bit unfair to me. David has always been available to ride in the Elite or Premier Leagues but obviously sometimes he's been left on the shelf in terms of getting a team place and therefore has had to ride in the Conference. At the end of the day the BSPA are penalising the fans as well because they are denying the Weymouth speedway public the chance to see some of the sport's best riders in action at the Wessex Stadium."

Peter Toogood, chairman of the BSPA, today sympathised with Mason's plight but hinted the Wildcats captain would be successful in securing a testimonial next year. He explained: "I know it's disappointing for David but we had so many applications for testimonials that we had to go back and check the records of each rider. The rules have had to be applied and I think David probably jumped the gun a bit when he started planning his meeting for this summer. What we have advised him to do is re-apply by November for a testimonial in 2006. That application will be heard early next year and there may well be a favourable response from the BSPA."
 

WILDCATS TO CAPTURE NEW FACE
By Paul Baker Thursday 10th February 2005
WILDCATS boss Brian White hopes to announce a new signing before the weekend. The Weymouth manager has been forced to rethink his team plans following the introduction of the Conference League's controversial new grading system. Having originally signed Gary Phelps to ride at number three. White has been forced to release the former Isle of Wight star after he was handed a maximum grade 11 for the coming season. Each team is allowed only one grade 11 rider with skipper David Mason filling that role for the Wildcats.

White explained: "Every manager I've spoken to has been given a major headache because of the gradings and I'm no different. The change means I've had to let Gary go and must now find a grade seven or under to complete my team building to 42 points. With all 13 Conference League sides affected, there are 13 managers chasing a very limited group of available riders right now and it's not ideal just a few weeks before the start of the season. Ideally we needed this rule change at the end of last year but we've just got to get on with it." He added: "I've spoken to a few candidates and I'm hoping to make an announcement by the weekend. It would be silly for me to name names and alert other clubs but hopefully all will be resolved very soon."

Meanwhile Paul Candy has re-signed for the Wildcats after turning out for Newport last summer. The Somerset-based rider quit the Wessex Stadium after failing to hold down a regular team spot. White added: "Paul has come back on a grade five and will be part of the squad for 2005. I think he regrets leaving last year and wants to have another crack with us, which is great. What it means is that he'll be available to step in for people like Lee Smart and Jack Gledhill and that can only be a good thing for the side."

Wildcats have also captured 18-year-old Poole based rookie Mark Andrews who will act as the team's number eight on a grade two ranking.
 

WILDCATS TO FACE NEW BOYS
By Paul Baker Monday 7th February 2005
WEYMOUTH Wildcats will be up against two new sides this season. Following the resignation of Newcastle Gems and Swindon Sprockets, the Conference League have excepted applications for membership from Scunthorpe Scorpions and Sittingbourne Crusaders. Both teams will compete in the league with Scunthorpe also planning assaults on the Conference Trophy and Knockout Cup.

"Obviously it was disappointing to lose both Swindon and Newcastle," said Wildcats boss Brian White. "Especially Swindon because they were effectively our local rivals and had a fair few former Weymouth riders in their side. But it's always good to welcome new teams into the league and Scunthorpe and Sittingbourne are both expected to be decent outfits. Two in, two out is fine but I just hope that maybe both Newcastle and Swindon will be back in the near future."

Meanwhile the Conference League could still lose another member before the start of the season with Carmarthen having been given a fortnight to secure a new lease with their landlords at the United Counties Showground before entering. White added: "It would appear that Carmarthen will be okay but the league have given them some time to just confirm things with their landlords. Hopefully they will compete and keep the numbers up to 13."

Weymouth will again contest the Conference Trophy and Knock Out Cup competitions in 2005. The Trophy, in which the Wildcats finished third last term, has now been split into north and south qualifying sections with the Dorset club taking on Boston, Mildenhall and Wimbledon.
 

WILDCATS TUESDAY NIGHT PLANS SCUPPERED
By PAUL BAKER Saturday 5th February 2005
SPEEDWAY will not be moving to its traditional Tuesday night spot in Weymouth. Plans for the Wildcats to return to their old race day have been scrapped after complaints from the Isle of Wight. The Islanders’ home fixtures are also on Tuesday and bosses at the club say a Weymouth switch from Fridays would effect their crowds.

“It seems a bit crazy to me”, explained Wildcats chairman Brian White. “I don’t quite see how crowds on the Isle of Wight will drop because we’re racing on the same night. For the past two seasons we’ve run on the same night as Somerset up near Bridgwater and they’ve never complained. Getting to the Isle of Wight isn’t exactly easy what with the ferry crossing and all that and I really can’t imagine too many people in Dorset make that journey every week. We wanted to go back to the old Weymouth speedway night of Tuesday because we felt our crowds would improve because of it but now we’ll have to think again. The Isle of Wight are worried and we don’t really want to upset anyone. It’s up to us what we do but I’m not going to be awkward about it. Speedway’s governing body the British Speedway Promoters Association have given us a bit of time to come up with an alternative and so we’re looking now to see what we can do. A lot depends on our landlords Weymouth Football Club and I’ll be talking to them in due course. We did have some concerns about Tuesday because it’s the Terras midweek match night and so from that point of view it might be a blessing.

White, whose Wildcats kick off the 2005 season on Good Friday, said Thursday evenings were now the most likely alternative. I want to avoid Fridays, he added. It’s change over day for a lot of the holidaymakers and people generally seemed to have lots going on on a Friday. The best alternative without effecting any other club seems to be Thursdays and as soon as a decision is made we’ll let our supporters know.
 

MASON TIPS CATS FOR THE TOP
By Paul Baker Friday 4th February 2005
DAVID Mason is tipping his Weymouth Wildcats side for glory this year. The Wessex Stadium skipper reckons the Dorset outfit can pick up where treble winners Mildenhall left off last season. The former Rye House man has stopped short of predicting a clean sweep of Conference League honours in 2005, but he’s convinced some silverware will be heading to the south coast. He explained: Everyone has looked on enviously at Mildenhall in recent years but it now looks like their dominance will come to end. There’s a vacancy for other sides to become the big clubs in the Conference and Weymouth fit the bill. I’m not saying we’ll go and take the league, trophy and knock-out cup but we’re good enough for at least one of them. On paper we have an excellent line-up and manager Brian White has worked really hard at fitting the pieces to the jigsaw. There’s no reason why we can’t be a major force and I’ve every reason to believe we will be.

Mason, who will be riding equipment purchased from former World Champion Nicki Pedersen, says number two Jack Gledhill will have a big part to play along with another of last season’s stars Dan Giffard. Jack and Dan are both tremendous talents, he added, and we’ll be looking for them to step up and really make an impact in 2005. If Jack can reproduce his home form on the road then he’s really going to be a handful and I know Dan is determined to get up towards an eight or nine point average.
On top of that we’ve got some really exciting newcomers in Gary Phelps, Lee Smart and Lewis Bridger while young Matt Bates is improving all the time.

As for Mason himself, nothing less than a 10-plus average will do for the Sussex-based rider. He said: I can’t wait for the season to begin. I’m in great shape having lost more than a stone in the gym and physically and mentally I’m feeling really good. I’ve bought one of Nicki Pedersen’s bikes that he used in the British Grand Prix last year and that performed brilliantly when I had a spin down at the Weymouth training school last week. If anything it was a bit too fast for the Wessex Stadium and so its now gone back to be slightly de-tuned. In all I did about 15 laps on it and things went superbly. I can’t remember being this excited about the start of a new season and the next six weeks or so are going to really drag. But once we get going I’m determined to do well and I’ll be going all out to win something in 2005 and get that average way up beyond 10.
 

‘A MATTER OF PRIORITIES’
Speedway star thought he knew real fear - until his baby son stopped breathing
By Paul Baker Thursday 3rd February 2005
SMASHING a 500cc motorbike with no brakes into a barrier at 70mph can only be described as terrifying. Even to speedway riders for whom it’s an occupational hazard, it’s pretty damn scary. But compared with watching your infant son stop breathing and turn purple in front of your eyes, it’s something of a walk in the park. Fortunately, most of us only have an outside chance of mangling a bike and, in all probability, ourselves. Even more fortunate is the fact that very, very few newborns suffer severe respiratory complications and most of us can watch our children grow and thrive without a second thought.

However, in recent years fate has dealt such a double blow to Weymouth Wildcats skipper David Mason, who has not only suffered his fair share of crashes but also seen his tiny son struggling to stay alive. Born with defective wind and food pipes, 10-week-old Harley has already endured a life-saving five-hour operation and twice been rushed to hospital after he stopped breathing. But, like his father on the track, Harley is both brave and determined, and has bounced back against the odds on each occasion.

David explained: I used to think I knew what frightening meant. Charging around on a powerful bike with no brakes can be scary, but it’s nothing compared with seeing your child struggling to breathe. Twice I’ve watched Harley stop breathing and start to turn purple and had to call an ambulance. Now that’s frightening and it makes everything else in life so trivial. When your child’s life is on the line what else matters? Certainly not speedway, that’s for sure.

Leading up to their first child’s birth on November 23 last year, life seemed perfect for 28-year-old Mason and his partner Natalie Gosling, 24. The former Rye House rider had just been crowned Dorset Echo Weymouth rider of the year and had agreed a new contract to captain the Wildcats in 2005. But just hours after his arrival into the world, it was obvious that all was not well with Harley. Natalie had a normal and healthy pregnancy, he said. There was no indication of what was to come. Harley was born in the hospital at Eastbourne and initially everything was fine. But he soon started to develop breathing problems and within hours he had been rushed to a bigger hospital in Brighton where he underwent a five-hour operation.

We felt so helpless. There was this tiny little baby fighting for his life and there was nothing we could do. Harley had been born with a condition known as TOFS  his wind and food pipes weren’t attached in the right places and both had to be cut and stitched back. It would have been traumatic for an adult, let alone a baby. We feared for him, but after a few weeks he seemed to be over the worst. But things took a dramatic turn for the worse one evening. Harley was feeding fine when suddenly he stopped breathing, said David. He began to turn purple and then white and it was the most awful experience of our lives. He was rushed to hospital and pulled through okay, but it really shook us.

Having suffered that trauma, another followed during a weekend in the West Country. I came down to try out a new bike at the Wessex Stadium and we went on to stay with some friends in Honiton. While we were there the same thing happened and Harley was rushed into Exeter hospital. Again, he made a full recovery but again it was a terrifying experience. The experts don’t know why it’s happening but we assume it’s linked to his earlier problems. Everyone is working to find out the cause and we have appointments with specialists in Brighton in the coming weeks. Natalie and I have just been on a special first aid course so we can act if it were to happen again.

The worst thing about it all is the not knowing. One minute Harley appears to be a perfectly healthy baby boy, the next he’s fighting for his life. But he’s a fighter. He’s been through so much in his short life and keeps bouncing back. At the end of the day he’s in good hands. All the doctors and nurses who have treated him have been fantastic. Despite his priorities having been dramatically altered, David has not considered hanging up his leathers. In fact, the Wildcats skipper now has all the inspiration he needs to take the sport by storm this season. This sort of thing changes everything, he added. It really does  show you what’s important in life. How can speedway or anything else matter in comparison?

My whole attitude has changed.  What it’s done is given me so much more confidence. Suddenly nothing seems impossible and I’m certain my speedway will change because of it. I am now so determined to do well for both myself and Weymouth and it goes without saying that Harley is my inspiration. In many ways racing seems so trivial now but it’s what I do, and from now on every time I pull on a helmet I’ll be doing it for my boy.

With a name like Harley, you’d be forgiven for thinking Mason junior’s future is already mapped out. But following in the old man’s tyre tracks is not something dad is keen on. Mason explained: I think he’s been through enough and I certainly don’t want him riding a speedway bike for a living. It’s up to him when he’s older, but I won’t be encouraging it. Harley will have to do things a bit differently to other children and that’s something we’ve got to get used to. For instance, it will be a long time before he can eat solid food, so he won’t be going to his friends’ parties noshing sausages on sticks.

But there’s no reason to suggest he won’t make a full recovery. I’d just rather see him cleaning my bikes than riding them. David thanked his ‘amazing’ friends for their help and support. Speedway fans, riders and officials have been so kind and supportive to both Natalie and I and we are very touched and grateful to them all. Not only will I be doing my best  for Harley but for all of them too. It really is overwhelming and Natalie, Harley and I thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.
 

PHELPS IS FORCED OUT
New signing Gary Phelps has today been released by Weymouth Wildcats
By Paul Baker Wednesday 2nd February 2005
The former Isle of Wight  heat leader has been deemed too good for the Dorset side following a major rule change by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA). BSPA officials have introduced a new grading system for Conference League riders which range from 11 for the best and most experienced down to two for fledging youngsters. Phelps, along with skipper David Mason, has been given an 11 grade but sides are allowed just one topped ranked rider each. Weymouth manager Brian White explained: “All the Conference managers had been building their teams on what we thought would be a 45-point maximum based on riders’ averages. But the BSPA has now told us that each rider will be graded two to 11 and must have a maximum of 42 points per team based on gradings.

Each club has to have at least two grade twos but are only permitted one grade 11.  It’s a great shame because Gary’s a terrific rider and would have been great for the team. I’ve spoken to him and he’s very disappointed and he may struggle to get a Conference place. The Wildcats pair of two grades will be reserves Lewis Bridger and Matt Bates while Jack Gledhill is a grade five, Lee Smart a seven and Dan Giffard a nine. That leaves Weymouth seven points short and the search for a new rider has begun in earnest.

White added: With the riders we’ve got, there’s now room for a grade seven or under. Obviously every team has been hit by the change and riders are now going to be in short supply as managers look to complete their sides.
 

CONFERENCE LEAGUE TO USE GRADING SYSTEM
Wednesday 2nd February 2005
The Conference League has adopted a controversial new grading system for the 2005 season. Clubs can use 1 grade 11 rider and must use 2 grade 2 riders and build a team to 42 points. This means that a lot of teams have to go back to the drawing board with team plans Weymouth included.

Gary Phelps had agreed a deal to ride with the Wildcats this season but has now been told that he cannot be fitted into the team as captain David Mason is also included in the grade 11 riders list. The Wildcats now have seven points left for their remaining rider with team member David Mason, Jack Gledhill, Lee Smart, Dan Giffard, Lewis Bridger and Matt Bates totalling 35 points.

CONFERENCE LEAGUE GRADING 2005

GRADE 11 J.Armstrong C.Baldwin W.Barrett J.Birkinshaw S.Bishop C.Blackman P.Boast W.Broadhurst M.Burrows B.Campbell W.Carter L.Dicken J.Elkins R.Hollingworth M.Holloway P.Lee S.Pegler T.Leverington G.Phelps D.Mason J.Prynne D.McAllan B.Scott D.Meldrum N.Simmons M.Wethers

GRADE 10 T.Allen S.Boxall C.Branney S.Colvin C.Courage B.Evans D.Felton R.Grant R.Hall T.Harding R.Hawkins G.Hedge D.King J.King W.Lawson J.Mann C.Mills R.Scarboro C.Schramm D.Sneddon S.Walker J.Wright

GRADE 9 J.Brundle L.Clifton C.Collins P.Cooper D.Giffard J.Parsons J.Robertson D.Rolph C.Shield M.Thompson

GRADE 8 D.Andrews C.Belfield J.Bethell P.Burnett J.Cockle A.Cross T.Dart D.Garrod C.Hunt D.Mallett M.Norris D.Norton D.Pugh D.Speight B.Wilson

GRADE 7 L.Bowen T.Brown P.Collyer S.Jones K.Mason B.Powell L.Priest P.Sharples D.Smith D.Warwick J.Westacott

GRADE 6 B.Bekker B.Burchatt B.Compton J.Courtney L.Derbyshire W.Dunworth K.Ezergailis J.Hargreaves L.Hodgson D.Hughes N.Irwin C.Johnson S.McAllister G.Meakins A.Roynon L.Smart C.Warwick M.Wright

GRADE 5 B.Barker G.Beaton S.Braidford J.Branney A.Brown P.Candy J.Clement H.Cook R.Dennis C.Downs J.Gledhill J.Oliver S.Stoddart

GRADE 4 G.Flint D.Hatton D.Hodgson P.Knott K.Langley M.Mitchell J.Newitt J.Pestell M.Pickering P.Pickering J.Purchase J.Theobald A.Tully M.Tutton M.Woods C.Wright

GRADE 3 R.Barnett M.Elliott D.Haigh K.Irving A.Jackson A.Johnson N.Mallett D.Minall L.Needs S.Nettleship J.Stevens

GRADE 2 M.Andrews M.Baseby A.Blackburn D.Blake S.Chester C.Chubb L.Dallaway A.Ferrow J.Frampton D.Harding T.Hill S.Hooper S.Lambert B.Legg K.Maben S.Martin J.Morrison J.McBain J.Nicol C.McDade R.Parker A.McKinna M.Richardson J.McPhail R.Smith K.White R.Wilding D.Wilson M.Bates D.Betson A.Braithwaite L.Bridger S.Campos G.Cottham J.Doherty G.Hayes T.Heath K.Hughes

The Conference League will have two new members in 2005 with both Scunthorpe and Sittingbourne being accepted into the league. The Conference Trophy has been divided into two regions North and South.

North: Armadale, Buxton, Scunthorpe and Stoke South: Boston Mildenhall, Weymouth and Wimbledon. The first and second placed teams will contest a semi-final and final.

The Conference League: Armadale, Boston, Buxton, Mildenhall, Newport, Oxford, Rye House, Scunthorpe, Sittingbourne, Weymouth and Wimbledon. Carmarthen have been given 14 days to join the League and a new owner is currently in negotiations with the Showground with regard to the lease.

Shared events will remain at the tracks that hosted last years competition: CLRC Rye House, CLP Wimbledon, CL4TT Stoke and the Bronze Helmet will remain at Mildenhall.

The British Under 21 Championship rounds will be raced at Weymouth, Scunthorpe and Buxton with the final taking place at Rye House.
 

MAXIMUM JOY FOR DAN THE MAN
By Paul Baker
DAN Giffard steamed into the British Under-21 Championship final at Rye House next month with an all-conquering display in last night’s qualifying round at the Wessex Stadium. The Weymouth number five, who employed ex-World long track king Kelvin Tatum as his mentor in the pits, blew away his rivals with a superb five-race maximum. And joining him in the final will be Wildcats team mate Tom Brown who finished third behind Chris Schramm, with Chris Johnson booking his place in fourth following a run-off against Luke Priest who goes to Rye House as a reserve.

A delighted Giffard said: "I’m gobsmacked. I’ve put so much time, effort and money into this but I still can’t believe how well I’ve done. Having Kelvin by my side was a huge boost and he deserves so much credit for his help and advice tonight. Also I’ve got to thank my dad Clive who has stood by me through thick and thin and this is a great way to repay him. Now I can’t wait for the final and I’m definitely going there to win and not just make up the numbers."

Lewis Bridger flew the flag for the Wildcats in the opening heat and he did superbly to get round James Clement to take third place on the final lap in a contest won by Schramm.

But it wasn’t long before the crowd had a home success to celebrate with Giffard scorching from the tapes to take the second race of the evening. Priest opened his account with a comfortable success in the next  and the first round was completed with an impressive victory for Brown. Welshman Brown showed his class again in heat five, this time getting the better of pre-meeting favourite Schramm.

Fellow Radipole Lane star Giffard was then on his way to a second win in race six but was stopped in his tracks by a horrific crash behind him on the back straight of the first lap. Wolves’ Steve Braidford was following the Weymouth man when his bike suddenly reared up from underneath him and went flying towards the centre green narrowly missing third placed James Courtney. Braidford was excluded for his troubles and was later found to have broken his collarbone in the spill. Justice was down in the re-run with Giffard cruising to the chequered flag.

Gledhill continued Weymouth’s fine showing with a win in race seven and not to be outdone, Bridger did likewise in the next. Giffard’s was at it again when he gated beautifully in the ninth but the real action in that encounter came with Schramm chasing down Gledhill on the final bend to take second.

Wins for Johnson and Courtney followed in heats 10 and 11 while the 12th proved unlucky for Brown who lost for the first time when finishing third behind Barker and Priest. Schramm remained in the hunt for honours with an easy tapes to flag win in his fourth outing and Brown returned to winning ways in some style in race 14. Ex-Wildcat Johnson then moved himself into late contention with his second successive victory, but all home fans’ eyes were on heat 16 in which their man Giffard was out to make four in a row. The Weymouth heat leader duly obliged, but his task was made easier by the withdrawal of luckless young Wildcat Marc Andrews, who had a meeting to forget after coming in as a reserve, and Kyle Hughes’ two minute exclusion.

Great Britain under-21 skipper Schramm booked his place in the final by taking heat 17 while Barker was left to rue an earlier mechanical failure as he ended his challenge with a win in 18. Giffard wrapped things up with his fifth faultless display in the penultimate clash to earn himself a stunning 15-point haul and the traditional bumps on his return to the pits. But there was real frustration for Wildcats colleague Gledhill whose chances of qualifying were wrecked when he hit the fence while leading the final heat.

Courtney won the re-run of that encounter while the race-off for fourth and fifth spot went to Johnson after a thrilling duel with Priest.
 

DAN'S DESPERATE FOR TITLE GLORY
By Paul Baker
DAN Giffard will have a world champion in his corner when he goes for glory in tonight's British Under-21 Championship qualifying round at the Wessex Stadium (7.30pm). The Wildcats heat leader, one of five home riders in the line-up, is being helped in the pits by former Arena Essex star and Sky Sports pundit, Kelvin Tatum. Tatum, who has lifted the world longtrack title on a number of occasions, has agreed to act as Giffard's mentor during the meeting.

Weymouth boss Brian White said: "Dan is absolutely desperate to do well in the Under-21 Championship this season and he's got Kelvin Tatum on board to advise him. Kelvin is one of the most experienced riders in the sport and I'm sure he'll boost Dan's chances. The connection is they live close to each other up in Sussex and know each other well. It's great see someone of Kelvin's stature helping out the youngsters and he'll be a very welcome visitor to the Wessex Stadium."

Also flying the flag for the Wildcats will be Great Britain Under-21 international Jack Gledhill, 15-year-old school boys Matt Bates and Lewis Bridger plus new signing Tom Brown.  And with Lee Smart riding in the second of three qualifiers at Mildenhall next weekend, the Dorset club is better represented in the championship than any other in the country. White added: "To have one rider taking part would be a great honour, but six is unbelievable. That's our whole line-up baring David Mason who is over the age limit and that's some achievement.

"I'm expecting all of my riders to do well in the championship and certainly none of them will let the club down. If I had to pick a couple who might go on and contest for the title it would have to be Dan and Lee but Jack and Tom are also more than capable of beating anyone on their day".

A total of 16 riders will compete at the Wessex Stadium tonight with the top four going through to the final at Rye House on April 30. The third qualifying round will be at Scunthorpe on April 10.

"The Weymouth meeting is really strong," added White, "with riders like Chris Schramm, Ben Barker and Chris Johnson taking part. We are going to be in for some cracking racing and there's the added bonus of having some home riders to cheer.

"The British Under-21 Championship is a highly prestigious prize and the winner then goes on to the World Championship Rounds. Having a qualifying round at Weymouth is a great boast for the town and hopefully it will be the first of many big events at the track this year."
 

CANDY AND ANDREW EAGER FOR CATS START
By Paul Baker
PAUL Candy and Marc Andrews have fired a warning shot at their Weymouth team mates ahead of tapes-up on the new Conference League season. The Wildcats squad members are gunning for regular team spots at the Wessex Stadium and are not prepared to sit on sidelines for long.

Candy, 25, has returned to the club following a spell at Newport last year during which, by his own admission, he failed to live up to expectations. He explained: "I really want to put 2004 behind me because it didn't go according to plan. I started at Weymouth and moved on to Newport but I had all sorts of problems which I'd rather forget. This year is going to be different that's for certain and I'm delighted to be back with the Wildcats. I might be just a squad member to begin with but I'm not here to watch the other boys ride every Thursday night. A team place is what I want and the only way to get one is to prove my worth when ever the chance comes my way If I'm faster than the others then I'll get in the team, it really is as simple as that.

"There's work to be done and I'm prepared for that because the hunger and drive to succeed in speedway has returned.  Everything's in place and I'm looking forward to the challenge and I want to be there helping Weymouth lift some silverware come the end of the year." He added: "A regular team place and doubling my average are the aims and if I keep riding, keep improving and keep going faster then both of those things will come my way."

Meanwhile 18-year-old Andrews, who hails from Poole, will be embarking on his first full season at Conference League level. "Last year was a learning experience for me," he said. "It was my first as a speedway rider and I had most of my rides in second halves up at Swindon. I've also been a regular at Weymouth's training schools during the winter and I'm improving all the time. "I've still got a long way to go and a lot to learn but things are heading in the right direction. I'm really pleased to be given this chance to join the Wildcats squad by manager Brian White and hopefully I can make an impression on him this year. I know I've got to be patient and bide my time but when the opportunity arises I'll be there to take it. My ambition this season is simply to get into the team and see how it goes from there."
 

WILDCATS MAUL THE DREAM TEAM
By Paul Baker
WEYMOUTH kicked off their 2005 campaign with a comfortable win over Dream Team USA yesterday. Double figure hauls from skipper David Mason (13), Dan Giffard (10) and new signings Tom Brown (10) and Lewis Bridger (12+3) helped the Carpets Galore Wildcats to success.

It would have been a much closer affair had the Yanks started the way they finished in front of a big holiday crowd. Their unforgiving, all-action style brought four crashes in the opening four heats and with those tumbles went any hope of victory. But once the tourists got dialled into the Radipole Lane circuit, the points began to stack up with Chris Kerr (16) and Tim Gomez (12) leading the Stateside challenge.

The meeting began dramatically as Shaun Harmatiuk blazed away from the gate ahead Mason, only for the USA captain to fall spectacularly on the second lap. Mason and team mate Jack Gledhill made no mistake when the tapes rose for the re-run and cruised round to give their side an early 5-1 advantage. Heat two was just as incident-packed with first Weymouth reserve Matt Bates excluded for hitting the deck before his partner Bridger was forced to start 15 metres back after breaking the tapes. But that proved no handicap for the 15-year-old schoolboy who scorched around the boards to win by a country mile. The fun and games continued as Brown and Paul Candy scored a 5-0 after the American duo both took spills in race three, although Candy had to push his bike over the line following an engine failure.

It was turning into a rout for the Wildcats and Giffard and Bates stretched the lead to 17-6 with a 4-2 success. USA hit back in heat five to claim their first chequered flag, courtesy of Gomez in a shared encounter, and they were celebrating again in the sixth when tactical rider Kerr claimed double points. The American comeback was halted in the seventh by Giffard and Bridger who nailed another 5-0 for the hosts, but a superb 8-1 for the Dream Team from tactical rider Gomez and Dale Facchini closed the gap to just six points after eight. Heart nine was agin won by the tourists to reduce the deficit further, but the Wildcats stormed back with a third 5-0 in the 10th and a nerve settling 5-1 from Giffard and Bridger in race 11.

Brown and Mason then took the spoils respectively as the hosts picked up 4-2s in heats 12 and 13 with the brilliant Bridger and Candy then firing in a 5-1. Fittingly though it was the Yanks who had the last laugh with a 4-2 finale success from Kerr and Gomez, two names British speedway fans will be hearing a lot more of in years to come.

Wildcats boss Brian White said: "It was a great start to the season. The weather was fantastic, we had a big crowd through the gates and it was nice to begin with a win. "The Americans were a bit wobbly to start with, but once they got the place sussed there was some good, hard racing and that's what the fans come to watch."
 

JACK ON TRACK TO EMULATE HIS FATHER
By Paul Baker
JACK Gledhill has set his sights on going further in speedway than his illustrious father lan. But the teenage Wildcats number two accepts that there's a lot of hard work ahead if he's to achieve his ambition. lan Gledhill was one of the National League's top points scorers in the 70s and won the competition's Riders' Championship in 1979.

"Dad is often with me on race nights," said Gledhill junior, "and he's obviously played a huge role in my career so far. It's great to have him about offering help and advice because he's been there and done it himself. My burning ambition is to go further than him in the sport although I'm well aware that won't be easy. It's all about working hard and making the necessary sacrifices and that's something I'm prepared to do."

After a mixed season in 2004 where Gledhill's home form for Weymouth was never matched by his performances on the road, the Coventry-based Great Britain Under-21 international has made his away displays a priority this summer.

He explained: "I was really pleased with the way I rode at the Wessex Stadium but my away form was a disappointment. Things did start to pick up at the end of the year but it's something I'll be working on this season. Riding at reserve there wasn't as much pressure on me as a lot of the other lads but now I'm up to number two things will be very different. I'm really looking forward to riding alongside number one and captain David Mason and I'm sure I'll learn plenty from him."

 He added: "Coming back to Weymouth was what I wanted and I'm delighted to be here for 2005. On paper we look very strong as a team and I'm sure we can be a big success."
 

BRIDGER TO CHASE NUMBER TWO SPOT
By Paul Baker
LEWIS Bridger is a young man who knows what he wants in life.  And the Carpets Galore Wildcats new 15-year-old reserve knows how to get it as well.  "I want to be Weymouth's number two rider in 2006," he said, "and partner captain David Mason on the track. To do that I've got to have a really good first season in the Conference League and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Confident words, but then Bridger is a confident lad and few would back against the Sussex-based youngster taking the sport by storm this term. Already he's been the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between the Wildcats and Wimbledon and his local outfit Eastbourne.  Eagles recently had him practising with their Elite League squad which includes former World Champion Nicki Pederson and Great Britain star David Norris.

"I was invited to go over to practice with the Eastbourne team in the Isle of Wight," explained Bridger, "and it was a great experience. Working with some of the world's top riders was fantastic. Obviously I'd like to ride at that level one day and riding for Eastbourne has always been my ambition. But I know I've got to put in the performances in the Conference League first and I'm itching to get out there and prove myself. If I can get a big average for the Wildcats and get that number two spot in 2006 then I'll be well on my way. I'm too young to ride for a Premier League side at the moment but hopefully I can impress someone at that level with a view to next season. But what's important is doing well for Weymouth and I'm certain we can win something with the team we've got."

Born in Hastings, Bridger has already gained international honours at under-16 level and he's determined to join Wildcats' team mates Lee Smart, Jack Gledhill and Dan Giffard in the ranks of the Great Britain Under-21 squad. "I rode for Great Britain Under-16s against Germany at King's Lynn," he added, "and it was a great experience. Nothing compares with representing your country and that's certainly my aim at under-21 level.

"I'm lucky at Weymouth to be surrounded by top guys like David Mason, Dan Giffard, Jack Gledhill, Tom Brown and Lee Smart. They are all riders I can listen to and learn from and that's really important to me."
 

NIGEL'S THE NEW MIKE MAN
WILDCATS fans will hear a new voice at the Wessex Stadium, writes Paul Baker. Nigel Thomas will be calling the Wildcats this season following the departure of Tim Helm.

Already the highly respected announcer at Exeter Falcons County Ground, the Devon-based man on the microphone is looking forward to his new role. He said: "It's going to take me a few weeks to get to know everyone at Weymouth but I'm really looking forward to it. I'm a big fan of Conference League speedway and I've been told to expect plenty of drama at the Wessex Stadium. "It's a great set-up here and I've been really impressed with what I've seen, Brian White and his team has worked so hard to bring speedway back to the town and I'm pleased to play my part."

Thomas made his debut at the Wildcats' Press day and his first competitive action comes on Good Friday when Weymouth host the touring USA Under-21s.  "I've got a few days to learn everyone's names and faces," he added, "and it's certainly a cracking fixture to get my Weymouth career off and running."

White described his new tannoy man as one of the best in the business and is pleased to have him on board. "I've known Nigel since the days when I rode myself," explained White, "and it's great to see him here at Weymouth. He's one of the best voices in speedway and there's few who know more about the game than him. We have a new announcer and new sound equipment and I'm sure the supporters will appreciate both."
 

DREAM TEAM HAVE LANDED
By Laurence Rogers
The USA Dream team flew in on Saturday Ready for their long awaited tour and immediately got down to preparing their bikes for the tough schedule ahead of them. All but one of the party of eight riders flew into Manchester on Saturday morning being met by UK Tour organisers Sophie Hill and Laurence Rogers.

Dario Galvin and his father had arrived 24 hours earlier being met by Sam Ermolenko and driven back to the West Midlands to Josh Larsen's where they are basing themselves for the tour. The Galvins were immediately into speedway mode accompanying Josh to Eastbourne on the Saturday night with Dario getting in a few laps of the Arlington circuit.

Meanwhile his seven compatriots were back in the West Midlands just after lunch on the Saturday heading straight for Cradley Heath to start work on their bikes , which had been shipped over arriving a few days before at Cov Comp in Stourbridge.

They had then been picked up by former Wolves and Cradley rider Mark Cochrane and they were being put together by Mark on his front drive as the lads drew up in their mini-bus. With some Californian sunshine seemingly having been packed in their suitcases everyone got down to work straight away , breaking only later in the afternoon for some traditional English fish and chips.

Amazingly all this was going on only a stone's throw from the former Cradley Heath track at Dudley Wood and created a lot of local interest with many locals Heathens fans I the past. The party did take a short walk up the road to look at where the famous Heathens had ridden being given a guided tour of where houses now were and where originally the starting gate, pits and like used to be.

Many of the party had never been outside their native California and were lapping up the Black Country friendliness, with a night out a local pub to end a long day for the visitors before they retired for a well earned sleep after the many hours of travel.

Naturally all the riders were looking forward to was getting on their bikes again and hopefully the weather is kind for them on this historic trip and that fans will support the meeting they ride in.
 

BRAVE DAN IS RIDING THROUGH PAIN BARRIER
By Paul Baker
YOU'D never know it watching from the sidelines, but Dan Giffard is in agony every time he rides a speedway bike. Weymouth's popular heat leader admits he still suffers considerably following a horror crash at Stoke two years ago. The Great Britain international went flying over the fence at Loomer Road after losing control on the straight and ended up breaking both his ankles. Most feared he'd never ride again, but somehow Giffard battled back against all the odds to resume his promising career with the Staffordshire club before moving to the south coast in June. And while the pain accompanies him with every turn of the wheels, it's something he's learned to live with.

"It still bothers me and I still feel it every time I ride," he said, "but it's something I've just learnt to put to the back of my mind and that's where it has to stay. If you let it get to you you'd never get on a bike and while the aggravation is there all the time, I just get on and live with it." Giffard's bravery has won him an army of followers down at Radipole Lane and if things go the way he plans this season, more will be joining his fan club as the campaign unfolds.

He said: "Before I broke my ankles I was carving out a decent Premier League career and it's something I want to return to soon. My aim this year is to attract the attention of a Premier club and maybe get some rides at the higher level before the season's finished. The only way I'll do that is by riding really well for Weymouth and that's what I'm here to do. I love the club and the set-up in general and all the riders are determined to do well this year. Riding in the Conference League isn't easy because you've got a lot of very good riders coming down through the ranks and some amazing youngsters going the other way. What we have to do as a team is all pull together in the same direction and that will bring with it the success Weymouth and their fans deserve."
 

DREAM TEAM PLANNING OVER...NOW FOR THE ACTION
By Laurence Rogers
All the waiting is over for eight super keen young American Speedway Riders who have been counting off the days until they fly to the UK to race in their Dream Team tour. They will all be air bound this week with the bulk of the party arriving at 8 am at Manchester Airport on Saturday morning with one having arrived a day earlier.

So all the planning is over and its down to the real thing with the first track action for the eight man squad being a practice session at Stoke on Monday (21st), two days before they are back at Loomer Road to meet the Spitfires in the opening match of the tour on the Wednesday night (23rd). Stoke Potters top rider Jan Staechmann is attending the practice session on the Monday to help the Dream Team with advice and bike set up support for which the organisers are very grateful.

Fingers will be crossed that the shipment of the bikes and equipment has gone smoothly and that they are ready and waiting for them. There was a slight delay with UK Customs last weekend but if all goes according to plan they should be delivered by midweek.

The tour party are being based in the West Midlands, mainly in the Cradley Heath area but with 10 of the party staying at Coventry Stadium owner, Avtar Sandhu's, hotel in Birmingham.

Their transport for the tour has been part sponsored by Global Self Drive of Peterborough who have provided a Long Wheel Base Sprinter Van and a 17 seater mini-bus for the time the party are here. The vans are being suitably sign-written by Ian Hewlett, who will be driving the van with the bikes and mechanicing at the meetings, so speedway fans can watch out for their convoy on the motorways on the way to their meetings.

Last weekend the tour and the party of young riders was given a boost when twice World Champion Bruce Penhall passed on his best wishes. Speaking at the launch of his book written by Steve Johnson by a transatlantic telephone call last Saturday, the American hoped that the lads all enjoyed the experience and made full use of it, " Tell the lads that they are on a great experience. If they want to make it in the sport of speedway the place they have to aim to be riding is in Britain."

"It is a great feeling racing in the UK and is pure joy. They will find the people so welcoming and they will be taken under the wing of some great people who will help their career. They will protect them, help them and set them on the right path. They will then know that they have made the right decision to want to race speedway. I knew that straight away when I went to Cradley Heath. It became my home and I hope that they will feel the same as I did when I came to England."

"If they want to succeed in the sport and have ambitions of being World Champion they must race in Britain. It's great to see and know that these eight youngsters are having this opportunity and chance to race in England -it is the only place to go and I wish them well on their trip and will be looking for the results of their meetings."

So the eight man party of Shaun Harmatiuk, Tim Gomez, Dario Galvin, T J Fowler, Chris Kerr, Dale and Neil Facchini and Brian Starr, who represent the USA Dream Team, have one of their most famous compatriots, who won his World titles before any of them were even born, but whose name is part of American Speedway folklore history, given them some great words of wisdom.

For one of the party, T J Fowler, the first on track action in the practice at Stoke will be a superb 17th birthday present and no doubt his team mates will help him celebrate in style when they have a "Welcome to the Dream Team" Party at the Cradley Heath Labour Club in Graingers Lane the next night on Tuesday 22nd. Copies of the Penhall Book will also be on sale and hopefully Speedway fans in the West Midlands will turn out to welcome the Dream Team and help raise funds towards their travel costs.

These funds will also be boosted at each of the meetings on the tour with a replica body colour being signed by both sides and either auctioned off (minimum bid £20) or raffled. Also at the end of the tour the body colours used on the tour will also be signed and auctioned off with each of the squad members being presented with a replica body colour to take home as a memento courtesy of sponsors Barrett Steel.

The riding order for the meetings has been agreed and at each match the Dream Team will be tracking all eight riders, with the permission of the opposition, and giving the No.8 at least two of the reserve rides and also being allowed to replace any out of form rider in the top five.

At each venue the 1-5 riding order will be: 1. Shaun Harmatiuk ©, 2. Tim Gomez; 3. T J Fowler; 4. Dario Galvin; 5. Chris Kerr. The 6, 7 and 8 berths will be alternated between the Facchini brothers, Dale and Neil and Brian Starr.

Stoke (Weds 23rd 7.30pm ) 6 Dale Facchini, 7 Neil Facchini 8 Brian Starr
Weymouth (Fri 25th 4.00pm) 6 Brian Starr, 7 Neil Facchini. 8 Dale Facchini
Sittingbourne (Sat 26th 1pm) 6 Dale Facchini , 7 Brian Starr 8 Neil Facchini
Mildenhall. (Sun 27th 12 noon) 6 Dale Facchini 7 Neil Facchini 8 Brian Starr
Newport. (Mon 28th 2.30pm) 6 Brian Starr, 7 Neil Facchini 8 Dale Facchini
Armadale (Sat April 2nd 6pm) 6 Dale Facchini 7 Neil Facchini 8 Brian Starr

The whole squad will race in an individual in the 2nd Half at Wolverhampton on Easter Monday (28th) and in a 6 heat 4 man challenge at Oxford on Thursday 31st.
 

CONFIDENT CATS GO IN SEARCH OF GLORY
by PAUL BAKER Tuesday 15th March 2005
Wildcats boss Brian White admits to being quietly confident of bringing some silverware to the south coast this summer. The former Poole rider reckons that on paper, Weymouth have the strongest and most exciting side in the Conference League. But as White freely acknowledges, talk is cheap in the competitive world of division three speedway “We’ve had a good winter,” he said. “The team building has gone just the way I hoped and we’re as ready as we’ll ever be for the start of the new season. I actually had my seven riders done and dusted before Christmas but the new grading system obviously threw a spanner in the works with us being unable to accommodate Gary Phelps on a grade 11 mark. But in Tom Brown I think we’ve got more than an adequate replacement. He might not have Gary’s experience but the talent is definitely there and I’m expecting a big summer from him. In David Mason, Jack Gledhill and Dan Giffard we’ve got three riders we can count on week in, week out and they know the Wessex Stadium circuit inside out. Add those the name of Lee Smart and our top five has to be among the best in the country” He added: “Down at reserve we have two lads, Matt Bates and Lewis Bridger, who have great futures ahead of them and I really believe they are going to turn a lot of heads this year. Then banging on the door are squad members Paul Candy and Marc Andrews, both of whom I wouldn’t hesitate to bring in, if and when they are required.

“On paper I have to say it looks very good but talk is cheap and now it’s time to go out and prove ourselves and I’m quietly confident of bringing home some silverware in 2005.”

ith treble winners Mildenhall unlikely to be as dominant following the departure of manager Graham Dury to Workington, White now sees Wimbledon and Boston as the sides to beat. “There’s not a weak team in the league,” he said. “Everyone is capable of beating each other on their day and that’s what makes the competition so good. I can’t see Mildenhall being as strong as they have been but I’d expect Wimbledon and Boston to be up there challenging for honours come the autumn. If we work hard as a team and stay

injury free, then we will be up there with them. Our fans deserve some success after waiting 20 odd years for speedway to return to the town and this could be their year.”
 

ENTERTAINER TOM HAPPY TO BE FALL GUY
by PAUL BAKER Tuesday 15th March 2005
NEW signing Tom Brown will be hoping to erase the memory of his last Wessex Stadium outing when he debuts for the Carpets Galore Wildcats against USA Under-2l’s on Good Friday. The 20-year-old Welshman, who was unveiled to fans at Weymouth’s press day last weekend, ended up in the fence on the third turn of the Radipole Lane circuit racing for Great Britain Under-2l’s against the Rest of the World in October.

“It’s not the fondest memory to bring to Weymouth,” said Brown whose identity had been kept a closely guarded secret by the Wildcats’ management. “But that was a one off as far as the Wessex Stadium is concerned and, apart from that, I’ve always done okay there. I’m more used to the bigger tracks and so it might take me some time to find my feet but that’s one of the reasons I decided to come here. Joining Weymouth is a brand new challenge and it’s one I’m really looking forward to. I like the place a lot and the set up is impressive and I can’t wait to get going.” Brown, whose fledging career has already seen him turn out for Newport, Trelawny and the Isle of Wight, is known as a bit of showman on the dirt and he’s determined to entertain the Wessex Stadium regulars this summer.

“I like to entertain,” he admitted, “and I’d much rather crash than finish last. We’re paid to entertain and that’s what I always try to do and hopefully we’ll have a lot of good nights at Weymouth this year.” Having returned an average of 6.94 last season, the grade seven rider is determined to get that up towards double figures in a Wildcats race jacket. He added: “That has to be bettered and it will be. I’ll be looking to get my average up to about the nine or 10 mark and I’ll deserve to have my backside kicked if I don’t. “I’ve joined an ambitious club with a very strong line-up and there’s no reason why I can’t improve. Hopefully it will be a great season not just for me, but for the Wildcats as well. All I’m interested in is doing well for myself and the team and making the supporters proud.”

Ace on track A SURPRISE visitor to the Carpets Galore Wildcats press and practice day last weekend was Poole’s Swedish sensation Antonio Lindback. The Brazilian-born rider, who many are tipping to challenge for World Championship honours this term, was flying round the Radipole Lane circuit alongside Weymouth’s Conference League boys. He said: “I’m here to try out a couple of new bikes and I’m really grateful to Weymouth manager Brian White for allowing me the time on the track. “I’ve heard a lot, of good things about Weymouth speedway and now I can see that they are true for myself. It’s a good set up with nice people involved and I really enjoyed riding the track. It took me some time to get dialled in but once I did I got the speed up and it’s been a really useful practice for me.”
 

MEET THE 2005 RIDERS
By PAUL BAKER Tuesday 15th March 2005

DAVID MASON
    * Position/Grading: Number 1 heat leader. Grade 11
    * Nationality: English
    * Age: 28 Born: December 20, 1976
    * Birthplace: Crawley
    * Middle name: Lee
    * Height:1.63m Weight; 57kg
    * Former British clubs: Sittingbourne, Mildenhall, Rye House, Arena Essex, Newport, Stoke, Swindon, Poole, Oxford, London, Reading
    * Summary: Weymouth’s number one and skipper. Was last year voted Dorset Echo Wildcat Rider of the Year.
    * Did you know? David’s other sporting love is football and he was once a youth player at Brighton.

JACK GLEDHILL
    * Position/Grading: Number 2. Grade 5
    * Nationality: English
    * Age: 19 Born: June 25, 1986
    * Birthplace: Leamington Spa
    * Middle name: Daniel
    * Height 1.68m Weight: 66kg
    * Former British clubs: Swindon, Newport
    * Summary: Moves up from reserve to number two this season. A GB Under-21 international
    * Did you know? Jack’s father Ian won the National League Riders’ Championship in 1979.

TOM BROWN
    * Position/Grading: Number 3 and heat leader. Grade 7
    * Nationality: Welsh
    * Age: 20 Born: June 19, 1984
    * Birthplace: Pontypool
    * Middle name: David
    * Height: 1.80m Weight: 73kg
    * Former British clubs: Trelawny, Newport, Isle of Wight, Workington, Swindon, Peterborough.
    * Summary: Brought to the Wessex Stadium to replace Gary Phelps who was released from his contract with the Wildcats following the introduction of this year’s grading system.
    * Did you know? Has one leg slightly shorter than the other due to septic arthritis suffered as a child.

LEE SMART
    * Position/Grading: Number 4. Grade 6
    * Nationality: English
    * Age: 16 Born: April 5, 1988
    * Birthplace: Swindon
    * Middle name: Mitchell
    * Height: 1.88m Weight: 79kg
    * Fomier British clubs: Swindon, Stoke, Mildenhall
    * Summary:Rated as one of the best teenagers in British speedway. Will also be riding for Somerset in the Premier League this season
    * Did you know? Lee was Swindon Robins’ mascot during season 1999.

DAN GIFFARD
    * Position/Grading: Number 5 and heat leader. Grade 9
    * Nationality: English
    * Age: 20 Born: November 10, 1984
    * Birthplace: Eastbourne
    * Middle name: James
    * Height: l.75m Weight: 67kg
    * Former British clubs: Eastbourne, Stoke, Wimbledon, Rye House, Isle of Wight
    * Summary: Returning to his best with the Wildcats following his move from Stoke last year. Career Interrupted two years ago by a horrific crash at Loomer Road in which he broke both ankles.
    * Did you know? Favourite TV show is A Touch of Frost

MATT BATES
    * Position/Grading: Number 6. Grade 2
    * Nationality: English
    * Age: 15 Born: July 26, 1989
    * Birthplace: Exeter
    * Middle name: None
    * Height l.60m Weight: 51kg
    * Former British clubs: None
    * Summary: Finished fifth in last years British Under 15 Championship
    * Did you know? Muff’s favourite track other than the Wessex Stadium is Exeter’s County Ground circuit.

LEWIS BRIDGER
    * Position/Grading: Number 7. Grade 2
    * Nationality: English
    * Age: 15 Born: November 4, 1989
    * Birthplace: Hastings
    * Middle name: Alan
    * Height: 1.65m Weight: 50kg
    * Former British clubs: None
    * Summary: Entering his first season as a Conference League rider and is expected to turn a few heads, according to team boss Brian White.
    * Did you know? As well as speedway, Lewis also takes part in motorcross, super moto and road bike racing.

PAUL CANDY
    * Position/Grading: Squad member. Grade 5
    * Nationality: English
    * Age: 25 Born: February 4, 1980
    * Birthplace: Basingstoke
    * Middle name: None
    * Height: 1 .73m Weight: 57kg
    * Former British clubs: Somerset, Carmarthen. Newport
    * Summary: Rejoins the Wildcats after moving to ride for the Newport Mavericks last May.
    * Did you know? Paul is based in Somerset and is known as the Taunton Tornado.

MARC ANDREWS
    * Position\Grading: Squad member. Grade 2
    * Nationality: English
    * Age: 18 Born: November 23, 1986
    * Birthplace: Poole
    * Middle name: James
    * Height: 1.73m Weight: 51kg
    * Former British clubs: None
    * Summary: Joins Weymouth after impressing at the clubs winter training schools.
    * Did you know? Marc names Swindon veteran Malcolm Holloway as having a major influence on his career.
 

HE MIGHT BE ONLY 28, BUT DAVID MASON WILL BE THE GRAND OLD MAN IN THE WEYMOUTH CARPETS GALORE WILDCATS LINE-UP THIS SEASON
By PAUL BAKER Tuesday 15th March 2005
And while he admits he’s a touch envious of his team mates in the age department, the skipper is happy to act as a father figure to his young colleagues. “They really do make me feel old,” he said, “Someone told me the average age of the side this year is 18 and that really does frighten the life out of use. J thought 28 was fairly young but I’m a granddad compared with most of the boys. “But joking aside, it’s great to see so many talented kids coming through in speedway and particularly here at Weymouth. Lads like Matt Bates and Lewis Bridger are still at school while Lee Smart and Jack Gledhill are teenagers and Dan Giffard is just 20. But what it means is that I’ve got extra responsibilities as the elder statesman and it’s a role I’m happy to take on.”

After a tough winter that has seen Mason and partner Natalie cope with the trauma of watching their baby son Harley fighting for his life following respiratory problems suffered at birth, the Sussex-based man is ready for a big campaign at the top of the Wildcats order. “It’s been a difficult time with Harley,” he said, ‘and it certainly changes your outlook on life. But we’ve got through it and Harley is doing well and I can’t wait to get out on the track. With my background and experience in speedway, hopefully I can help the youngsters settle in quickly and get the best out of them from the start. I like to be on hand to offer whatever advice I can and the boys know they only have to ask. “Looking at the team, manager Brian White has got what I think is the best line up in the Conference League. Treble winners Mildenhall certainly aren’t as strong as they used to be and I really feel it could be our year. What we need is to make the Wessex Stadium a fortress which we started to do towards the end of 2004. If we can win our home matches and then pick up a few results on the road I’m sure the success will come. Doing well for Weymouth and the fans is my number one goal but I’m also looking for individual success as well. The Conference League Riders’ Championship is a competition I can definitely win and I’ll be going all out to do exactly that.”  Mason, who has been handed a maximum grade 11 for the season, will be riding bikes purchased from former World Champion Nicki Pedersen during 2005.
 

CLUB FACTFILE
By PAUL BAKER Tuesday 15th March 2005

    * STADIUM: Wessex Stadium, Radipole Lane, Weyrnouth DT4 9XJ
    * TELEPHONE: 01305 769358
    * FAX: 01305 769358
    * HOTLINE: 09066 555 943 (calls charged at 60p per minute)
    * WEBSITE: www.weymouthspeedwayclub.co.uk
    * RACE-NIGHT: Thursday & Bank Holiday Mondays
    * START-TIME: 7.30 pm (Thursday), 4.00 pm (Bank Holidays)
    * HOW TO GET THERE: Most visitors will enter Weymouth from the Dorchester direction on the A354. About 2 miles into Weymouth you will reach a Roundabout (Manor Roundabout). Take the 3rd Exit still on the A354, signed to Town Centre and follow the brown signs for Wessex Stadium. At the next roundabout (Chafeys Roundabout), turn right onto the B3157 (3rd exit) still following the brown signs for Wessex Stadium. About half mile ahead, you will see the stadium in front of you. Take the 3rd exit at the next roundabout, then immediately left for parking and entrances to the ground.
    * PARKING: Free parking at stadium.
    * FACILITIES: Terracing all round stadium plus a covered grandstand & catering outlet.
    * TRACK LENGTH: 223 metres.
    * TRACK RECORD: 53.5 seconds,
    * RECORD HOLDER: Paul Lee (May I4, 2004).
    * ADULTS: £9
    * CONCESSIONS: £6
    * CHILDREN (under-Is): £3
    * PROGRAMME: £2
 

WILDCATS UNVEIL NEW MAN TOM
By PAUL BAKER Saturday 12th March 2005
Weymouth today unveiled their long awaited new signing as Tom Brown. The 20-year-old Welshman completes the Carpets Galore Wildcats line-up for the coming Conference League season. Brown, who last year rode for Stoke Spitfires agreed a deal with the Dorset club last month following the departure of Gary Phelps following the introduction of the new grading system.

However Weymouth boss Brian White was forced to conceal the heat leader’s identity due to a confidentiality clause in his contract, White explained: “From the moment the gradings were published and we knew we couldn’t accommodate Gary Phelps in the side, we opened negotiations with Tom Brown. “Stoke agreed to him coming to Weymouth but they also insisted we did not name him until today. It’s been hard work keeping it quiet because we’re all very excited about the signing and it’s something I’ve wanted to share with the fans. But now we are free to announce it and I’m certain our supporters will be delighted with the news.”

Born in Pontypool, Brown began his career at Peterborough in 2000 before moving to Newport. He then turned out for Swindon, Workington, Trelawny and the Isle of Wight before joining the Spitfires last term. During that time, the youngster has earned a regular place in the Great Britain Under-21 side and finished fifth in the Conference League Riders’ Championship in 2003.

“When it comes to young British riders,” added White, “Tom is one of the best. He’s an out and out trier who never gives up and I think he’ll be a big point scorer for Weymouth. He’s always gone well when he’s ridden at the Wessex Stadium and gets on well with the track. All in all I couldn’t wish for a better signing and I wish him a long and successful career with the Wildcats.”
 

NO REGRETS FOR BRILLIANT BILES
By RUSSELL DAVIDSON Wednesday 8th March 2005
RUSSELL DAVIDSON talks to former Pirate and Wildcat favourite DAVID BILES about his Speedway career in Dorset and what made him retire from the sport at such a young age.

ON the verge of speedway greatness, David Biles walked away from the sport, aged just 21. After five years of racing at Weymouth and Poole he decided to stop and has never had the urge to return to the track. Biles, now 38, and still plying his trade in the construction industry reflected with the Echo.

“I absolutely loved my time in speedway and have some wonderful memories. But during the 1983 season at Poole, I knew it was going to be my last. I found riding a real stress, something to do with my genetic make up I think. I knew I could go out and beat anyone but I had a bit of an ‘old-man’ approach to racing. There were a couple of occasions when I was physically sick before a meeting and I think there was a record of seven times when I went to the toilet prior to riding. I had this in-built pride. I always wanted to do so well. Whenever I walked into the stadiums at Weymouth or Poole there was an expectant and-vociferous crowd, wonderfully loyal. You see them and the last thing you want to do is let them down. I don’t have any regrets about retiring when I was 21. I still do quite a bit of scrambles, so I am still regularly riding on two wheels. But there has never been a moment when I’ve wanted to ride a speedway bike again.”

David Biles was always going to be a big thing on two wheels. From almost the time he could walk he was watching his father,  Graham, switch from scrambles rider to motocross and then to grasstrack. “I rode an old 50cc bike when I was about six. I eventually sold that bike to a young kid called Dean Barker for £50 (of course, Barker has gone on to represent England in the World Cup and currently resides at Eastbourne.) As I got older I moved up a class to 250cc and would ride alternate weeks at Andover and Bristol. When I was 13/14, riders like Andy Galvin, Jamie Luckhurst and Dean’s brother, Sean, were difficult opponents.

“Then they all moved into speedway and I was left with no opponents. Speedway scout Lew Coffin then suggested I go to a training school at Weymouth in 1983. It was an opportunity for me to ride a 500cc bike. My first thought about speedway was how smooth the track was. “I was still in the middle of my exams at school when I was given a team berth at Weymouth. I look back now and can remember how naive I was. Because the reserves were struggling at Weymouth I was thrown in at number two in the team. As a school kid I had never even ridden in the dark!

I can remember my first meeting for at Radipole. It was against Crayford. I had to go out in heat one and line up alongside Martin Yeates and the opposition top man, Barry Thomas. Talk about being chucked in at the deep end. But I did manage to beat Trevor Banks in that meeting, who was a hero of mine in grasstrack. The following week I had my first away fixture at Crayford which was one of the trickiest little tracks ever. I failed to score and my dad drove me home. The following day I was back at school sitting my ‘O’levels. I scored my first points away at Peterborough. I actually managed a 5-1 maximum heat advantage with Simon Cross, although to say we team rode home for the 5-1 would be a lie. Crossy was about half a lap ahead of me, but I still got paid for the win which was the main thing.”

Bites made his mark at Weymouth in that opening season scoring 35 points in 16 meetings. The team even reached the KO Cup final, losing 96-95 on aggregate to Exeter in the final. “I wasn’t that good and we were useless in the final,” he recalled “How on earth we managed to lose to Exeter I don’t know” In his first full season for the Wildcats, 1984, he achieved an average of over seven points. Typically unassuming, he plays down the average. “I think a lot of riders moved up to the British League in 1984 which allowed riders like me to make progress and build confidence.” But little did he know it was to be his last season with the club, before the operation moved lock, stock and barrel to Poole in 1985. “I felt a bit sorry for the Weymouth fans. It was a great family club and they always gave me terrific support. I don’t remember much about the switch, only that we went through this weird transition where we took the Wildcats name to Poole.”

The move to Poole in 1985 was more difficult than Bites anticipated. “The transition was tough. I found the Wimborne Road track difficult to conquer.” He was paired in the team with former Pirates great Kevin Smith. In a way only David Bites could describe, he recalled the night he managed his first 5-1 with track specialist Smith. “I held my breath throughout that whole race. I mean, what sort of behaviour is that for a grown man. I can honestly say if it hadn’t been for Smithy I don’t think I would have mastered the Poole track. I had to follow behind him so many times and he was poetry in motion. He had so much ability and was so fast. He seemed to be on track record pace every time he went out. And he would just dial in and ride the track unbelievably well. I held him in such high esteem. Yet two years later he seemed to lose his appetite for racing. Away from home I would be brought in to replace him and it really upset me. I couldn’t believe a guy with so much natural racing talent could be struggling so badly”

Talk about the great races at Poole speedway over the years and chances are the name of David Biles will appear in large neon lights. His heroics in holding out the almost invincible world champion Hans Nielsen, of Denmark, in a farewell meeting at Poole in 1987 is the stuff of fairy tales. The roof nearly lifted off Wimborne Road and the nearby fire station too. And then there was the night at the end of the 1988 season when he somehow managed to pass two Wimbledon riders, Todd Wiltshire and Kevin Jolly, in a first bend surge that left his opponents bemused and the crowd gasping.
 

ACE PROGRAMME PLAUDITS
By PAUL BAKER Wednesday 9th March 2005
CARPETS Galore Wildcats are celebrating their first award of the new season. The Wessex Stadium outfit have picked up second prize in the Speedway Star Conference League Raceday Programme of the Year competition for 2004. Winners were the Wimbledon Dons with Buxton Hitmen third, Oxford Academy fourth, while fifth spot went to Boston Barracudas.

Wildcats chief Brian White said he was delighted by the accolade and today paid tribute to programme editor Derek Smithson. He explained: “Coming second is a really big boost and hopefully bodes well for the coming season. I’m not surprised that Wimbledon won because their programme is always tremendous and is produced with quite a big budget. Far less money goes into doing ours and what’s important is that it makes money for the club through both sales and advertising. But despite having a small budget to work with, editor Derek Smithson does a fantastic job. Derek puts hundreds of unpaid hours into the project every season and he deserves all the credit for this award. Also photographers Julie Martin and Jay Eastwood’s contributions have been invaluable as has all the efforts of Ray Collins who is basically the Wildcats historian. They all can be very proud of their achievement and I’d like to thank them, our advertisers and all our programme readers for making ours one the best publications in the sport.”

The Elite League award went to the Coventry Bees with Workington Comets taking the honours in the Premier Division. Coventry also took the overall first prize with Wimbledon fifth and Weymouth sixth.

* Omitted from the article was the fact that the programme cover was designed by Tim Helm using Jay Eastwood photos for the second year running, also free of charge.
 

WILDCATS ARE TIPPED FOR THE TOP
by PAUL BAKER Wednesday 9th March 2005
DAVID Mason is tipping his Weymouth ‘Wildcats’ side for glory this year. The Wessex Stadium skipper reckons the Dorset outfit can pick up where treble winners Mildenhall left off last season. The former Rye House man has stopped short of predicting a clean sweep of Conference League honours in 2005, but and’ he’s convinced some silverware will be heading to the south coast. He explained: “Everyone has looked on enviously at Mildenhall in recent years but it now looks like their dominance will come to end.

There’s a vacancy for other sides to become the big clubs in the Conference and Weymouth fit the bill. I’m not saying we’ll go and take the league, trophy and knock-out cup but we’re good enough for at least one of them.

“On paper we have an excellent line-up and manager Brian White has worked really hard at fitting the pieces to the jigsaw. There’s no reason why we can’t be a major force and I’ve every reason to believe we will be. Mason, who will be riding equipment purchased from former World Champion Nicki Pedersen, says number two Jack Gledhill will have a big part to play along with another of last season’s stars Dan Giffard.

“Jack and Dan are both tremendous talents,” he added, “and we’ll be looking for them to step up and really make an impact in 2005. If Jack can reproduce his home form on the road then he’s really going to be a handful and I know Dan is determined to get up towards an eight or nine point average. On top of that we’ve got some really exciting newcomers in Lee Smart and Lewis Bridger while young Matt Bates is improving all the time.” He added: “The only disappointment was losing Gary Phelps to the new grading systems because he would have been a big hit at this level. Every club has had to make late changes because of the ruling and I’m sure we’ll get a more than adequate replacement.”

As for Mason himself, nothing less than a 10 plus average will do for the Sussex based rider. He said: “I can’t wait for the season to begin. I’m in great shape having lost more than a stone in the gym and physically and mentally I’m feeling really good. I’ve bought one of Nicki Pedersen’s bikes that he used in the British Grand Prix last year and that performed brilliantly when I had a spin down at the Weymouth training school the other week. If anything it was a bit too fast for the Wessex Stadium and so it’s now gone back Peter to be slightly de-tuned. In all I did about 15 laps on it and things went superbly. I can’t remember being this excited about the start of a new season. But once we get going I’m determined to do well and I’ll be going all out to win something in 2005 and get that average way up.
 

WILDCATS GET READY TO ROAR
by PAUL BAKER Tuesday 8th March 2005
WEYMOUTH begin revving up for the new speedway season in earnest at the Wessex Stadium on Saturday. The Carpets Galore Wildcats are holding a press and practice day ahead of their curtain-raiser against USA under-21s on Good Friday. The event kicks off at 4pm with riders being introduced to sponsors and season tickets holders in the Terras’ Wessex Lounge, and this will be followed by on-track practice from 5:30pm. The day will conclude with a buffet and disco from 730pm to 11pm, which, supporters are invited to attend.

Carpets Galore Wildcats manager Brian White said: “The 2005 speedway season is already underway with a number of meetings being held up and down the country. We get going on Good Friday against the USA, but first we have a traditional press and practice day on Saturday this gives supporters and sponsors the chance to meet the riders and talk to them about the coming campaign. It also gives the riders a chance to fry out the track and get tuned in ahead of Good Friday.

“The first part of the day is for sponsors and season ticket holders, but anyone can come and watch practice for a small donation of just £2. Tickets are available priced £5 to all supporters for the buffet and disco and it promises to be a good day” Fans who decide to attend the event will get their first chance to see the new number three rider in action. So far, the new signing’s identity has been kept a closely-guarded secret due to an agreement with the rider’s par,ent club.

“We have had to keep quiet about who our new rider is,” added White. “But I know our supporters will be delighted when they find out who he is. I’d like to thank our fans for their patience on this matter, but the terms of the agreement with his parent club meant I had no alternative but to keep things under my hat.”

Aside from Weymouth’s mystery man, dirt-track followers will see the likes of skipper David Mason, Jack Gledhill, Matt Bates and Dan Giffard going through their paces, as well as newcomers Lee Smart, Paul Candy, Marc Andrews and Lewis Bridger, White added: “On paper, we have an excellent line-up and everyone is looking forward to the start of the season with plenty of confidence.”
 

THURSDAY NIGHTS FOR WILDCATS
By PAUL BAKER Wednesday 2nd March 2005
WILDCATS will be roaring in Weymouth on Thursday nights this summer. The town’s speedway club has today confirmed its change of race night from Fridays. Wildcats boss Brian White had originally hoped to run on Tuesdays this coming season but an objection from the Isle of Wight scuppered that plan.

The islanders hold their meetings on the same night and feared that fans would be lost to the Wessex Stadium. White explained: “One thing we have learnt since bringing speedway back to Weymouth two years ago is that Friday nights aren’t ideal for racing. Lots of our local supporters have other commitments such as thrift clubs to attend and many have asked if we could move. Also it’s not good for the holidayt makers because it’s a change over day and so we decided to try and alter things for 2005. I wanted to go back to Tuesdays because that’s when Weymouth traditionally held their meetings and the crowds were always good on that night. But the Isle of Wight were concerned because they also run on a Tuesday and so that put paid to that idea. Having considered all our options we have opted to go for Thursdays and I think that will work well.”

Although the majority of the Wildcats home fixtures will take place on Thursdays, Weymouth will still run on bank holidays and the occasional Friday evening. White added: “There are likely to be a few odd occasions when the stadium is needed by our landlords Weymouth Football Club and so we’ll have to switch to a Friday when that happens.”

* Weymouth will this season be known as the Carpets Galore Wildcats and not the South Coast Access Wildcats. Both firms are owned by former Terras director Jamie Lyones who won the patrons’ draw on Monday. Speedway boss Brian White explained: “Jamie bought two tickets in South Coast Access’ name but has now decided to use his other company Carpets Galore to back the Wildcats. That means we’ll now be known as the Weymouth Carpets Galore Wildcats.”
 

WILDCATS NEW SPONSOR UPDATE
By Tim Helm Tuesday 1st March 2005
Brian White updated supporters today with the Wildcats main team sponsor change and stressed, “Jamie Lyones the owner of South Coast Access is starting a new business ‘Carpets Galore’. He bought two tickets for the draw both under the South Coast Access name but now feels that being main team sponsor would benefit his carpet business more that his Scaffolding business. He paid his money so it's his choice which name he would like to associate with the Wildcats. After all more people buy carpets than hire scaffolding”!
 

WILDCATS NEW SPONSOR
By PAUL BAKER Tuesday 1st March 2005
Weymouth’s speedway team have a new sponsor. The Wessex Stadium outfit will be known as the South Coast Access Wildcats during the coming Conference League season. The Lynch Lane-based scaffolding firm, owned by former Terras director Jamie Lyones, were first out of the hat at last night’s patrons’ draw held at the Wessex Lounge. Delighted Wildcats vice-chairman Phil Bartlett said: “We are pleased to welcome South Coast Access as our new sponsors and look forward to a long and successful partnership with them. “Jainie Lyones was a big help to the speedway club in his role as a Terras director when we relaunched speedway at the Wessex Stadium two years ago and so it’s nice that he’s now our main backer.

“The patrons’ draw has proved a huge success and I’d like to thank all the firms who took part. Their support is much appreciated and will help the sport thrive in the town.” Second prize went to New Driver Schools of Motoring who will have their names on the riders’ race suits while third place and the handle bar sponsorship was won by Zeta Commerce. Bartlett added: “It’s good to have some new names associated with the Wildcats but I’d like to take this opportunity to thank last year’s main sponsors Haven Holidays. “Their support was a lifeline in 2004 and we’re delighted that they will remain as a major supporter this season.”

Meanwhile the Wildcats are to M host a special training school for young riders at their Radipole Lane circuit on Friday. Isle of Wight skipper and ex-Poole legend Craig Boyce will be putting youngsters through their paces. Weymouth team manager Brian White explained: “Having Boycey down for the night is a real coup and if the kids don’t learn from him, they won’t learn from anyone. There are 20 places available and the training starts at 4pm. Spectators are welcome to come and watch from 6pm free of charge and if anyone is interested in taking part then they should call me on 07793 838787.”
 

WILDCATS PAIR GO FOR U-21 GLORY
By Paul Baker
DAN Giffard and Tom Brown hope to show off some silverware when the Wildcats entertain Wimbledon Dons in the Conference Trophy at the Wessex Stadium on Monday (4pm). The talented duo are flying Weymouth's flag in tonight's British Under-21 Championship final at Rye House (7pm). Both riders are ranked as outsiders in the field of 16 but their team boss Brian White reckons that one of them could well make the top three rostrum.

"Dan got to the final with a 15-point maximum in the qualifying round at Weymouth," he explained, "and I know that made a few people sit up and take notice. He probably wasn't anyone's favourite before that, but I know one or two people now think he can win it. The Under 21 title is something Dan is really keen on and I know he's put a lot of time and money into this year's event. He's also employed the services of ex-World Long Track champion Kelvin Tatum in the pits, that's how serious he is. Tom is no one's fool either and he'll give a very good account of himself as well. Dan and Tom along Scunthorpe's Danny Norton are the only riders out of all the finalists who don't ply their regular trade in the Premier League but even so, I think one or both of them is good enough for a top-three finish."

Bookies' favourite for the crown is home rider Edward Kennett while his Rockets team mate Daniel King is also a hot fancy. Other riders include Richard Hall (Sheffield), Steve Boxall (Rye House) and Jason King (Somerset).

Meanwhile Weymouth will be out to complete an early season hat-trick over the Dons on Monday. The Radipole Lane team have already beaten the Londoners home and away to claim the Trevor Hedge Racing Cup this term. White added: "Both our victories were pretty convincing so we've no fears about meeting them again. What I would say though is that Monday's is a Trophy fixture and so will he even more competitive than the Trevor Hedge Racing Cup. They'll be coming here looking for revenge and we'll need to be at our best to make it three out of three."

 All "kids and students go free" vouchers handed out for last Thursday's postponed meeting with Boston will be honoured by the Wildcats at Monday's fixture.
 

CANDIDATES TO TAKE PART IN PRE-ELECTION SPEEDWAY RACE
By James Tourgout
SPEEDWAY riders are staging their own 'General Election race' for South Dorset. Aces from the Weymouth team will be donning party colours for the special heat after their match on Bank Holiday Monday at the Wessex Stadium. Brian White, boss of the Weymouth Carpets Galore Wildcats team, decided to stage the race as election fever gripped the area. He has invited political candidates to the race, which will be held after the Wildcats take on Wimbledon Dons in the Conference Trophy.

Weymouth's top four riders in the main meeting will compete in the race with helmet colours denoting their party Labour candidate Jim Knight's rider will wear red,Conservative Ed Matts' rider will have blue and Lib Dem candidate Graham Oakes' competitor will have a yellow and black helmet. A fourth rider will wear green to represent the other candidates.

Mr White has invited the election hopefuls, who will draw their rider's name out of a hat before the race. He said: "With General Election fever gripping the country we thought it appropriate to do something at the Wessex Stadium. The riders' helmet colours lend themselves to the different parties and so we're going to have our own race for the South Dorset seat. I have spoken to the main candidates and they are all up for it and looking forward to the race. It promises to be a very competitive affair and it will be interesting to compare the result with what happens on voting day next Thursday."

He added: "Regardless of their political views, all the candidates have been working hard canvassing over the past couple of weeks and this is a chance for them to take a break, have some fun and enjoy one of Weymouth's big sporting attractions."

The winning rider will receive a trophy. The race meeting between Weymouth and Wimbledon starts at 4pm and the election race will be held afterwards.
 

WILDCATS MISS CHANCE TO GO TOP
By Paul Baker
CARPETS Galore Wildcats have missed the chance to go top of the Conference League tonight. Their scheduled meeting against Boston at the Wessex Stadium was called off earlier today because of a waterlogged track. The Barracuda Braves hold a slender three-point advantage following the opening encounter between the two sides at the Norfolk Arena, a fortnight ago.

But victory by four points or more would have earned the Wildcats the aggregate bonus point which would have been enough to take them to the top of the table. Team boss Brian White said: “It’s really disappointing. It would have been nice to have gone top of the table tonight and I’m confident we would have done just that. Unfortunately we’ve had so much rain this week that it’s left the track unraceable and we had to make an early decision to stop Boston from travelling. Our next meeting is on Monday against Wimbledon in the Conference Trophy (4pm) and the forecast looks a lot better for that one.”

Tonight’s postponement means that Lee Smart will have to wait to make his re-appearance for the Wildcats. The ex-Mildenhall rider missed Sunday’s win at Buxton due to commitments with parent club Somerset.
 

GEORGE BEGINS ASSAULT ON U-15 CHAMPIONSHIP
By Paul Baker
Wildcats mascot George Piper begins his assault on the British Under-15 Championship on Sunday. The Sturminster Newton-based youngster travels to Buxton for the opening round of the event and Wildcats boss White is confident of the 13-year-old’s chances. He said: “George did really well in last year’s championship where he was one of the youngest riders. But he’s come on in leaps and bounds since then and I reckon he’ll turn a few heads in this year’s series.

“George has been riding down at Weymouth ever since speedway came back in 2003 and the improvement over that time has been immense. His dad Steve is the club’s youth training officer and a lot of George’s improvement is down to him. There’s some very good young riders in the championship and last year’s winner Josh Auty will be out to defend his crown. But I think George has got as good a chance as anyone and the whole of Weymouth is routing for him. He’s one of the nine seeded riders in the tournament and that means he’s got a bye through to every round which is tremendous.”

Weymouth’s Wessex Stadium will again be hosting a round of the championship on Monday, May 30.

British Under-15 Championship dates: Round 1 – Buxton tomorrow, Round 2 Armadale May 29, Round 3 Weymouth May 30, Round 4 Newport June 5, Round 5 Scunthorpe July 3, Round 6, Sheffield September 22, Round 7 Mildenhall October 2
 

BRIDGER'S TIPPED FOR THE TOP
By Paul Baker
LEWIS Bridger could soon be speedway's answer to Wayne Rooney.  That's the confident prediction of Weymouth team boss Brian White who rates his young reserve as one of the hottest properties in the sport ahead of his side's Conference clash with Boston tonight.  He might be only 15-years-old, but already Bridger is being tipped for the very top by the Wildcats chief, and a glance at his form so far this season would suggest his manager might be right.

Having impressed in a couple of early challenge matches, the Sussex-based teenager notched up a superb 23+4 haul over the two victorious legs of the Trevor Hedge Racing Cup against Wimbledon Dons last week.  And to prove those returns were no flukes, Bridger then led the Wildcats to their opening Conference League success of on Sunday with 15 points from seven rides in the 49-40 victory White explained: "The boy is an absolute genius on two wheels and can turn his hand to most disciplines from speedway through to road racing and motocross. I can't ever remember seeing a better prospect at his age and I'm certain he's going to become a big, big star.

"Lots of youngsters look the part and can ride speedway well, but Lewis just has that extra something about him. I think it's the fact that nothing fazes him and he rides every heat like an old and experienced pro.  "His gating is superb which also sets him apart from other lads his age and the boy simply doesn't know the meaning of the word fear. In my book he could end up becoming speedway's answer to Wayne Rooney in terms of both ability and popularity "Rooney is one of those characters who football fans will travel miles to watch play. He's young, strong, gifted and English - a real crowd-pleaser.  British speedway is crying out for personalities like that who the fans can take to their hearts and really get behind. I'm the first to admit that Lewis still has a long way to go but I honestly believe he's got all the qualities to be a Wayne Rooney on a motorbike."

Despite his tender years. White says he has no plans to wrap his prized asset up in cotton wool. In fact the opposite is true.  In football, lads like Rooney were nurtured along gently and often protected by their clubs," said White.  It's something that can also apply in speedway but in Lewis' case I don't think there would be any point. Although he's 15 he's got a very wise head on his young | shoulders and he's desperately hungry for success.  He knows his own mind and has definite ambitions, one of which is to ride at number two for Weymouth next year alongside our captain David Mason. If I start poking my nose in too much he'd end up losing that edge and I don't want that to happen.  I think he's the best reserve in the Conference League by a long shot."
 

HITMEN SHOT DOWN BY WILDCATS
By Paul Baker
DAN Giffard warmed up the British Under-21 Champion-ship final by leading Weymouth to their opening Conference League victory of the season against Buxton yesterday.The former Eastbourne Eagles youngster notched up 13 points as the Carpets Galore Wildcats outgunned the Hitmen 49-40 at Dale Head Lane. Giffard’s haul included three wins from five outings and boss Brian White reckons his number five could pull off a surprise in the Rye House showdown on Saturday.

He said: “Dan’s in top form at the moment and this was just the sort of performance he needed to boost his chances at the weekend. He was only beaten once by a Buxton rider and that’s on a track he admits isn’t one of his favourites. He stormed into the Under-21 final with a 15-point maximum in his qualifying round and he’s in the sort of form were he might just surprise a few people on Saturday night.”

Tom Brown, Weymouth’s other representative in the final, maintained his decent start to the campaign with 8+1 although once again it was Lewis Bridger who proved he’s a star in the making for the Wildcats. The 15-year-old schoolboy reserve top scored for the visitors with an outstanding 15 points from seven rides which featured four chequered flags. Having shared the opening two encounters on a gloriously sunny afternoon in the Peak District, Weymouth went behind for the only time in the meeting after Lee Derbyshire and Charles Wright scored a 4-2 in the third.

But the Wildcats hit back with a Bridger\Giffard 5-1 in the fourth and they edged further ahead thanks to another full house in heat seven from Bridger and Brown. That put the Dorset outfit 24-18 ahead and it was an advantage they defended stoutly with the next seven races all ending in 3-3 draws. Heat 14 was the one that proved decisive for the Wildcats as Bridger and Paul Candy followed Wright across the finishing line to give their there team an unassailable 45-38 lead.

The visitors’ thoughts then turned to the return leg later in the season and the all-important bonus point that will be on offer at the Wessex Stadium. And White’s men put themselves in pole position for that when their two top performers Giffard and Bridger claimed a 4-2 in heat 15 to seal the contest 49-40.

The Wildcats manager added: “Opening up a decent lead was crucial but obviously our thoughts turned to the previous away meeting at Boston the week before. On that occasion we fell apart towards the end after being ten points in front and it was important we stayed focused this time. The difference this week was that we rode sensibly and defended what we had and didn’t take any unnecessary risks.” He added: “I can’t let things pass without mentioning little Lewis Bridger who was absolutely magnificent. Considering he’s only 15 he rides like an old pro and I can’t praise the lad enough. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this boy has got what it takes to go to the way top in speedway.”
 

WILDCATS FIRED UP FOR HITMEN CHALLENGE
By David Swain Saturday 23rd April 2005
WEYMOUTH look to get their Conference League challenge off the ground with their first league success of the season at Buxton tomorrow.  The Carpets Galore Wildcats tossed away a healthy lead in their opening league clash at Boston but manager Brian White today promised: "that certainly won't happen again."

"The boys had a bit of a roasting after that defeat and have learned their lesson," said White. "We came back brilliantly to beat Wimbledon by 34-points over the two Trevor Hedge Racing Cup clashes and we will face the Hitmen with a lot of confidence even though they are unbeaten so far in their two home meetings."

The Wildcats are missing Lee Smart, who is signed on a full contract by Somerset and is required for their Premier League meeting at Newport tomorrow.  "We'll probably miss him six or seven times this season for the same reason but he will be replaced at number four by Paul Candy who I am sure will do the business for us at Buxton," said White.  Schoolboy reserve Matt Bates has been passed fit for Wildcats after missing Thursday's home leg against Wimbledon with an injury sustained at Somerset last week and Jack Gledhill has recovered from his mid-week crash at the Wessex Stadium.
 

DON'S DEMOLITION EARNS WILDCATS FIRST SILVERWARE
By Paul Baker  Friday 22nd April 2005
Weymouth Wildcats 57 Wimbledon Dons 36  ~  Weymouth win 112-74 on agg
WEYMOUTH landed their first silverware of the new season at the Wessex Stadium last night. The Carpets Galore Wildcats lifted the Trevor Hedge Racing Challenge Cup with a massive 107-73 aggregate victory over Wimbledon Dons. Having hammered the Londoners 55-38 at Plough Lane 24 hours earlier, Brian White's men completed the rout with another demolition job on their own Radipole Lane shale. This time the final scoreline was 57-36 with Tom Brown (13+2) Lewis Bridger (12+3) and Dan Giffard (11) the stars of the show.

Wildcats began with a 4-2 success in the opener, but it should have been maximum points to the hosts. David Mason and Jack Gledhill did well to get past early leader Scott James but then Gledhill came to grief on the final bend when a 5-1 appeared to be in the bag. The in-form Bridger cruised to the line in a shared heat two before Brown blazed from last to second in race three, which was won by his Weymouth team mate Lee Smart.

Another 3-3 followed in the next as Giffard left it late to come around the outside of Buzz Burrows and put the Wildcats 15-9 in front. That advantage increased further with Smart and Brown swapping their earlier finishing order to nail a second full house but the Dons hit back with a tactical ride from Burrows in race six.

Having lost Gledhill to a fall in the original encounter, Burrows made the gate in the re-run and raced unopposed to collect double points. Mason came home in second for the Wildcats but the visitors missed out on an extra point when Andrew Bargh bit the dust.

A request' from the Weymouth riders for the track to be graded was granted before heat seven and it paid dividends for the hosts who scored their third 5-1, courtesy of Giffard and Bridger. Wimbledon hit back immediately with a 4-2 in the next but out came Smart and Brown to record their third consecutive maximum to make it 34-22 on the night, 89-60 on aggregate.

Mason took race ten after Gledhill had again crashed out and the hosts underlined their dominance as Giffard and Bridger picked up another five-point haul in the llth. The battling Andrews secured his first point of the meeting as he and Brown returned a 4-2 for Weymouth in the next, but there was disappointment for Giffard in 13 when his hopes of remaining unbeaten were ruined by Burrows.

A shared penultimate contest was won by Bridger and the flying teenager was out again thrilling the crowd in heat 15 in which he crossed the line second behind Brown in yet another 5-1 for the hosts.
 

WILDCATS SET FOR SILVERWEAR
By Paul Baker Thursday 21st April 2005
WEYMOUTH are set to lift their first trophy of the season at the Wessex Stadium tonight. The Carpets Galore Wildcats will be defending a 17-point lead when they take on Wimbledon in the deciding leg of the Trevor Hedge Racing Cup (7.30pm). Brian White’s men got hand firmly on the silverware with a 55-38 victory at Plough Lane last night, with Lee Smart leading the way for the visitors with a 12-point maximum.

Dan Giffard (13) and Lewis Bridger (11+1) also returned double figures for the Wildcats while Tom Brown (8+1) and David Mason (8) also chipped in. The boys were outstanding, said manager White, and rode brilliantly as a team. Ourselves and Wimbledon are two of the early season favourites to win the Conference League and I think this result will make a few people sit up and take notice. With a 17-point lead in our favour we should get the job done easily enough this evening. That dosn’t mean we’ll be taking anything for granted although questions will have to asked if we can’t defend that sort of advantage at home.

But Wimbledon will be coming here determined to set the record straight and so it’s all geared up for a cracking night’s speedway. Weymouth are without their schoolboy reserve Matt Bates who is recovering from a leg injury following a crash at Somerset last week. Marc Andrews will again deputise and he’ll be out to improve on a disppointing showing at Plough Lane yesterday where he failed to score a point from three outings.
 

BRIDGER'S CAPITOL SHOW GIVES WILDCATS THE EDGE
By Paul Baker Thursday 21st April 2005
LEWIS Bridger showed Wimbledon fans what they are missing at Plough Lane last night. The Wildcats reserve scored an impressive 11 paid 12 points as his side came away from South London with a 55-38 lead to defend in the deciding leg of the Trevor Hedge Racing Cup at the Wessex Stadium tonight. Bridger was high on the Dons wanted list during the winter but it was Weymouth boss Brian White who won the race for the talented 15-year-old’s signature.

And after yesterday’s capital showing, the Wildcats chief is predicting a big future for the young Sussex-based rider. White said: Lewis really is a great prospect and I can see him going all the way in this sport. It’s not surprising Wimbledon were so keen to sign him and I’m just glad we got there first. He’s still young and a little bit raw, but if he works hard and learns from his peers he’s going to be a very big name in the not too distant future.

Bridger’s tally came from six starts and included superb victories in heats two, eight and 13. But he wasn’t the only Weymouth teenager to catch the eye with Lee Smart also in top form. The former Mildenhall man roared to a faultless 12-point maximum and received great support from Dan Giffard (13), Tom Brown (6+2) and captain David Mason (8).

The visitors dominated from the start as Mason and Jack Gledhill set the tone with a 4-2 success in the opener.  And the Wildcats were already 14-10 in front when Wimbledon scored their first win of the evening through Buzz Burrows in heat four. Burrows went on to take the chequered flag once more in heat 15 but that was it in terms of home successes. In contrast, Weymouth recorded no less than five 5-1 maximums and they could even afford the luxury of seeing one of their number fail to score a single point. Marc Andrews, in for the injured Matt Bates at reserve, endured a torrid night with two falls and a last place from his three outings.

A delighted White added: To come away from Wimbledon with a 17- point advantage takes some doing and I think a few clubs will look at this result with interest. One thing we’re not doing is taking anything for granted but it puts us in pole position to lift our first trophy of the season and that will be tremendous. Everyone played their part in the win and the team spirit was fantastic. Lewis, Lee, Dan, Tom and David were outstanding and I reckon that’s one of Wimbledon’s biggest home defeats since they reformed a few year ago.
 

WILDCATS CHASE CUP GLORY
By Paul Baker
WEYMOUTH will be hoping to lay one hand on the Trevor Hedge Racing Cup at Plough Lane tonight (7.30pm). The Carpets Galore Wildcats take on Wimbledon in the first leg of the challenge competition, with the deciding clash at the Wessex Stadium tomorrow (7.30pm). The visitors’ task this evening will be to keep the scoreline as close as possible although boss Brian White believes his side are good enough to bring an advantage back to defend at Radipole Lane.

He said: “The Trevor Hedge Cup is an annual competition between ourselves and Wimbledon and I can assure you there’s nothing friendly about the fixtures. There has developed a fantastic rivalry between the two clubs and fans at both venues are going to be in for some great racing on both nights. Although both team’s priorities are obviously the league, there is a big psychological advantage to be gained from this competition. Not only does it provide a piece of silverware for the cabinet, it will also give the winners a big boost ahead of our forthcoming league meetings. If anyone thinks these two fixtures will be gentle affairs then they are very much mistaken and we’ll certainly be going all out to win up at their place tonight. Failing that our job will be to keep things tight and make sure there’s not a lot between us going into tomorrow’s decider.”

Wildcats are again without schoolboy reserve Matt Bates who is recovering from a leg injury picked up in a fall during the second half at Somerset on Friday. Marc Andrews again deputises after coming in and picking up a point from three rides at Boston on Sunday. White added: “Matt is making good progress but he needs a few more days rest. The aim is for him to be back for our league trip to Buxton on Sunday and in the meantime young Marc will carry on at reserve.”

Wimbledon will be led by the evergreen Buzz Burrows with Scott James wearing the number one jacket. The Dons also include the experienced Peter Collyer at number three with Kiwi Andrew Bargh at reserve.
 

MATT'S DOUBLE AIM
By Paul Baker 
MATT Bates has two very achievable targets for 2005. The schoolboy reserve wants to hang on to his Wildcats' team place and set the new National Under-15 League alight.  Bates has been working hard all winter both on the track and in the garage on his machinery and says he's in good shape.  He explained: "It's been a very busy winter and I've managed to get quite a few laps in at the Wildcats' training nights.  The highlight was having a session with former Poole captain Magnus Zetterstrom and he certainly taught me a lot in a short space of time."

The hard work in the close season has already paid off with Bates showing up well in Weymouth's early challenge matches.  But his progress was checked at Somerset last Friday when he suffered leg injuries in a nasty second half spill.  That forced him to miss the Conference League trip to Boston on Sunday but he hopes to be fit for the weekend visit to Buxton.  And if the Devon youngster fulfils his potential on the track, he'll succeed on both counts.

The 15-year-old explained: "I got my chance at reserve for Weymouth towards the end of last season and really enjoyed it. I'm thankful to Weymouth manager Brian White for giving me that opportunity and for bringing me back this year.  Getting a team place with the Wildcats is a dream come true and my priority is definitely to keep it. It's going to be tough because there are other good riders waiting in the wings but I'm determined to do well."

When it comes to the Under-15 League, Bates will be riding in a Wildcats side that also features the likes of George Piper and Lewis Bridger.  I finished fifth in the British Under-15 Championship last year," he added, "but I do feel I could have done better.  The championship has been a big help to us younger riders and I'm now looking forward to riding in the Under-15 League."
 

WILDCATS SNATCH DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY!
By Paul Baker
WEYMOUTH snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in their opening Conference League clash at Boston yesterday. After cruising into an ten-point lead at the Norfolk Arena, the Wildcats fell apart at the death to gift-wrap their opponents the win. The turning point came in heat 12, which the visitors entered with a handy 38-31 scoreline in their favour. And when Tom Brown and Lewis Bridger tucked in comfortably behind leader Ben Powell, it looked like the Wildcats would maintain that seven-point advantage.

However, Bridger then pulled up with mechanical problems while Brown did too much on the last lap allowing Simon Lambert to steal second place. From then on Boston had the upper hand with Carl Wilkinson and Simon Walker scoring a 4-2 success in the next followed by a shared race 14 in which Lambert took the chequered flag in front of Bridger and Lee Smart. That made it 44-43 to the Barracudas going into heat 15 with Wilkinson and Walker up against David Mason and Brown.

Despite the best efforts of Mason, who battled for all four laps, there was to be no way back for the Wildcats as the Braves pairing nailed a 5-1 maximum to secure a thrilling home victory. Earlier the visitors had ruled supreme with Bridger, Brown (twice), Mason, Jack Gledhill and Dan Giffard (twice) all winning heats to help their side into a 35-25 lead after race 10. But a 6-3 tactical success for Boston in 11 and that frustrating heat 12 sealed the visitors’ fate, much to the annoyance of manager Brian White.

He said: It’s very disappointing and I’m gutted really. We worked hard to open up a big lead and the meeting was there for the taking. Unfortunately we just threw it away and it was heat 12 that really did it for us. On a positive note the result has set us up for the bonus point at home but we need to be a lot harder and toughen up away from home.

Wildcats reserve Matt Bates is recovering following a nasty crash at Somerset on Friday. The 15-year-old suffered leg injuries after the spill during the second half of the Rebels’ Premier Trophy tie against Isle of Wight. Bates was forced to miss the Wildcats trip to Boston yesterday and is likely to be sidelined for a week.
 

SIGNING LEE WAS REAL SMART MOVE
By Paul Baker
WILDCATS boss Brian White has pin-pointed Lee Smart as the key to his side's challenge for Conference League honours this summer. The 16-year-old has already got one championship medal to his name, having been part of Mildenhall's treble winning line-up last season. White is convinced the Somerset Rebels asset can add to his trophy collection in a Weymouth race jacket.

"Bringing Lee to the Wessex Stadium in the winter was a great move for the club," said the Wildcats manager, who takes his side to face Boston Barracuda Braves in the Conference League tomorrow (6.30pm).  "He might be only 16 years old but already he has bags of experience and knows all about winning the league with Mildenhall.  Every rider has his part to play over the course of a season but I just feel that Lee might be the difference between us challenging and actually winning things this year."

Smart, who had suffered an indifferent start to the 2005 campaign, bounced back to form during the Wildcats' mauling of Sittingbourne Crusaders at the Wessex Stadium on Thursday night.  The Wiltshire-based' rider notched up a faultless 15-point maximum for his new club in their superb 64-30 success. White added: "He was outstanding and didn't put a foot wrong all night.  Sittingbourne aren't the strongest side we'll face this summer but, nevertheless, Lee was a mile ahead of everyone and hopefully he can reproduce that form tomorrow.

"Boston will present a big challenge on their home track and it's a tough way to start our league programme. But they are the sort of team we need to beat if we're to throw down a serious challenge and we'll be going there with plenty of confidence following that Sittingbourne win."
 

BATES CRASHES OUT
Matt Bates has been ruled out of action for the next week after a terrifying crash at Somerset last night. Bates was hit from behind by Andy Carfield, 15 year old Bates hit the safety fence at high speed and totally wrote-off a brand new bike that had only been ridden twice.  Having visited hospital today for precautionary x-rays it was revealed that Matt has trapped a nerve in his lower back and has slight numbness in the top of his legs and is currently in some discomfort.

Matt misses the trip to Boston and also both legs of the Trevor Hedge Racing Challenge Cup at Wimbledon on Wednesday night and the return at the Wessex Stadium on Thursday.  Marc Andrews will make his debut for the Wildcats tomorrow against Boston and also cover for Bates against Wimbledon.
 

SMART OFF TO FLYING START
By Paul Baker
LEE Smart celebrated his Wildcats debut magnificent style at the Wessex Stadium last night.  The flying teenager, who was part of Mildenhall's all-conquering treble winning side last season, scored a faultless 15-point maximum as the hosts hammered Sittingbourne Crusaders in a one-sided Conference League Challenge.  Weymouth simply proved too strong and too fast for their opponents and it was captain David Mason who got them off and running by recording the fastest time of the season so far at Radipole Lane of 54.6 seconds in the opening encounter.

That formed part of a 4-2 advantage for the Wildcats and they doubled that in spectacular fashion in race two.  Jordan Frampton made the gate for the visitors and roared into a decent lead in front of home reserve pairing Lewis Bridger and Matt Bates.  A share of the spoils looked certain until the final bend when Bridger made his move up the inside of Frampton who clipped the fence on the home straight.  The contact threw the Sittingbourne youngster out of control and that allowed Bridger through for the win, but the pair were then involved in a nasty collision after crossing the line although both escaped unhurt.

The hosts continued to dominate and a couple of classy victories for Lee Smart and wins for Dan Giffard and Mason helped build a healthy 26-10 lead going into heat seven.  And that too proved a good one for the Weymouth outfit as Bridger and Giffard cruised from the tapes to chalk up their side's third maximum of the evening.  The Wildcats then scored a some-what fortunate full house in the next with Gledhill taking the win and Bates collecting second after Baseby had hit the dust on the last lap.

The outstanding Smart remained on course for his maximum by scoring a third consecutive success in race nine and with Brown tucking in to take the runners-up spot, it gave the Wildcats an unassailable 41-14 lead at the interval.  The onslaught continued after the restart as Mason and Gledhill clocked up Weymouth's sixth five-pointer in heat 10, but Sittingbourne at last had something to cheer about in the llth.  Captain Cockle came out with the double points tactical helmet cover on and he made it pay by claiming the Crusaders' maiden win which brought with it a welcome 7-2 heat advantage.

Shared encounters in races 12 and 13 made it 54-28 going into the penultimate contest in which Smart was looking to make it four out of four.  The in-form 16-year-old did it with ease ahead of Bridger and James Theobald in what was an awarded affair after Baseby had come a cropper.  Not surprisingly Smart was then given the chance to complete his debut maximum in the nominated last heat and again he did not disappoint.

Admittedly closest rival Cockle blew his chance by over cooking it coming out of the second turn, but Smart accelerated away to take the chequered flag in front of colleague Brown and help secure a massive 64-30 triumph.
 

WILDCATS HOPE FOR CRUSADE
By Paul Baker
WILDCATS boss Brian White will be hoping for clear skies over the Wessex Stadium tomorrow night. That’s when his Weymouth side are due to entertain Sittingbourne Crusaders in a Conference League Challenge match (7.30pm). The hosts were left frustrated a week ago after the heavens opened and caused the postponement of their maiden league clash with Newport Mavericks just minutes before the first scheduled heat.

White said: "Last week was really disappointing. We were all set to go with the riders changed and ready when suddenly we were hit with a last-minute downpour. Referee Ronnie Allen had little choice but to call the meeting off and it certainly wasn’t the way we had planned things. The forecast for tomorrow is not fantastic but we’re hopeful and keeping our fingers crossed. What everyone wants is to watch some speedway because bad weather is both frustrating and costly to all concerned."

Although billed as a challenge fixture, White reckons the Crusaders clash is vital to the Wildcats challenge for honours this summer. On Sunday they have a tough looking Conference League trip to Boston and he wants to see his riders blowing away the cobwebs prior to the weekend. He added: "I want to win tomorrow night and win well. But I also want to see the lads riding as a team and trying a few things before Sunday.

"The meeting at Boston is crucial to us. We need to get our league campaign off to a good start and so if there are any cobwebs then tomorrow is the night to blow them away." Weymouth’s only doubt surrounds Great Britain Under-21 star Jack Gledhill who is nursing a slight wrist injury.
 

WILDCATS OPENER FALLS TO THE RAIN
By Paul Baker
WEYMOUTH'S hopes of getting their 2005 Conference League campaign off to a winning start were washed away by the rain last night. Heavy showers caused the postponement of the Carpets Galore Wildcats' clash with Newport Mavericks at the Wessex Stadium. The meeting looked set to go ahead after track staff had worked tirelessly throughout the day to clear the circuit following the previous night's downpour. But more rain fell just before tapes up time of 7.30pm, leaving international referee Ronnie Allen with no option but to call a halt to proceedings.

He explained: "It was always going to be touch and go but that last downpour hammered the nail in the coffin. Water had started to lie on the track again and it was simply too dangerous to ride. One of my main concerns was the prospect of thick dirt being thrown up into the riders' faces and without clear visibility, they would have had all sorts of problems." He added: "It's disappointing for everyone involved but safety is always the priority in these situations."

 A new date for the clash has yet to be announced although Wildcats boss Brian White may look to rearrange the fixture next Thursday night when Sittingbourne are due at Radipole Lane for a challenge match. He said: "I can only apologise to all the fans who turned out on what was a miserable evening."For a long while I thought we had escaped the worst of the weather but we then received that killer blow at about 7.15pm.

"At the end of the day it's the referee's decision and if he says the track is not safe to ride then we have to respect his decision. "I'd like to thank all the track staff for their efforts and a new date will be announced very soon."
 

TITLE RACE BEGINS HERE
By Paul Baker
TITLE hopefuls Weymouth get their Conference League challenge under way tonight when they entertain Newport at the Wessex Stadium (7.30pm). On paper, it looks like the perfect start for the Carpets Galore Wildcats against the side that finished rock-bottom last season. But despite his side being red hot favourites to bank the two points on offer, Weymouth boss Brian White has warned his riders not to take the Mavericks lightly.

He explained: "They may have finished bottom of the table last season and we may one of the fancied teams to do well this summer. But one thing we won’t be doing is taking anything for granted although it’s vital we get off to a winning start. A lot of sides have suffered because of the new grading system that was introduced by the Conference League during the winter but Newport aren’t one of them. The set-up has actually worked in their favour and they’re a lot stronger than last year. Individually we have got seven class riders at Weymouth and now they have to blend into a winning team. The early signs have been very encouraging and confidence is extremely high.

"Against the USA over Easter we did really well with reserves Matt Bates and Lewis Bridger catching the eye. Dan Giffard and Tom Brown then both qualified for the British under 21 Championship final so the boys are in good nick. Tom in particular will be desperate to do well against his old club tonight and what we’ll be aiming for is to win with a few points in hand so that we can go for the bonus point up at their place."

Another Wildcat who’ll be hoping to impress is new signing Lee Smart. He’s yet to fire on all cylinders this term but White says he’s due a score this evening. "Lee is a great talent," said the Weymouth manager, "but he’s found it hard going so far this season. He’s also riding in the Premier League for Somerset and that’s a big step up from the Conference. Tonight will be his debut for the Wildcats and I just get the feeling everything will go right for him and his season will kick on from here."

Newport travel to the south coast with two former Wildcats among their ranks in the shape of Danny Warwick and highly rated teenager Sam Hurst. At number one they boast the experienced Scott Pegler while Aussie Karlis Ezergailis is a regular in the Welsh club’s Premier League line-up.
 

SMART MISSES OUT ON GB U-21 FINAL SLOT
By Paul Baker
WILDCAT Lee Smart yesterday failed in his bid to reach the British Under 21 Championship final at Rye House later this month.The new Wessex Stadium number 4 finished a disappointing eighth in the second qualifying round at his former Mildenhall track. Smart, who is also riding in the Premier League for Somerset this season, went into the meeting with high hopes of joining fellow Wildcats Dan Giffard and Tom Brown in the final on April 30.

“He was pretty disappointed,” said Weymouth manager Brian White. “He’d been one of the favourites to make it through and it would have been great to have had three riders in the final. Things just didn’t go his way however, and he was unlucky both in terms of mechanical problems and his gate draws. But Lee is class act and will come back from this with flying colours.”

Sheffield’s Ben Wilson won the meeting with a superb 15-point maximum with Rye House’s Steve Boxall a point behind him in second. James Brundle (Kings Lynn) and Jason King (Somerset) also qualified with Stoke’s Barrie Evans going through as reserve.
 

GIFFARD PAYS TRIBUTE TO MENTOR TATUM
By Paul Baker
WILDCAT Dan Giffard has paid tribute to Kelvin Tatum MBE, following his British Under-21 Championship qualifying round victory at the Wessex Stadium. The 20-year-old Weymouth heat leader scorched to the final at Rye House on April 30 with a stunning 15-point maximum on Monday night. Former Arena Essex star and five-times world long-track champion Tatum acted as Giffard’s mentor in the pits and what ever the Sky Sports pundit did and said, it had the desired effect.

Giffard said: “I’ve put so much time, effort and money into doing well this season both individually and for the Wildcats. I’ve had my problems over the years with things like injuries, but I said to myself in the winter that 2005 would be my year. Despite all that I’m still a bit gobsmacked about how well I did in this qualifying round and I’m absolutely delighted. Scoring a 15-point maximum was beyond my wildest dreams and Kelvin has to take much of the credit.

“He spent the whole day with me from start to finish and what he did was get me right mentally. He kept saying little things to calm me down and reassure me and I don’t think I’d ever been better prepared for a meeting. On top of that, there were a few mechanical things he spotted and tiny changes he made to the bike and that just gave me the edge over my opponents. I might have been the one taking the chequered flag, but Kelvin and my dad Clive played just as big a part in my win and I can’t thank them enough.”

Joining Giffard for the Rye House showdown will be team mate Tom Brown who finished third behind the winner and runner up Chris Schramm. The other Wessex Stadium qualifier was Chris Johnson while Luke Priest goes through as one of the reserves.

“It’s great that Tom made it through with me,” added Giffard, “and Weymouth’s other riders Jack Gledhill, Lewis Bridger, Matt Bates and Marc Andrews all did the club proud as well. This championship is something both Tom and I are very serious about this year and we’re certainly not going to Rye House to make up the numbers I want to win and that’s what I’ll be going all out to do. There’s no reason why both of us can’t do well and qualify for the world final and give the Weymouth fans some early success to cheer about.”
 

BROWN JOINS STOKE ASSETS LIST
Tom Brown says that he expects to reap the benefits following his full transfer from Newport in an exchange deal that sees Tony Atkin join the Wasps. I wasn't getting anywhere with Newport at all and I really think that Stoke is somewhere that I can have a real chance of breaking in to a Premier League side said Brown who will ride for Weymouth in the Conference League this year.

The 20 year old Brown is seen as another rider for the future and joins Jack Hargreaves (16), Gareth Isherwood (16), Kriss Irving (17), Barrie Evans (20) and Rob Grant (20) as other youthful assets signed up in the last 12 months. These are riders that will feature in future Potters for a long time to come said Dave Tattum.
 

CONGRATULATIONS PHIL AND CATHERINE
Congratulations from everyone at Weymouth Speedway to Phil and Catherine Bartlett on the birth of baby Ryan this morning at 3 minutes to 8. Mother and baby are doing well, Ryan weighed in at 7lb 7 1/2 oz. 
 

SMART HOPING TO FOLLOW GIFFARD AND BROWN'S TYRE TRACKS
By Paul Baker
LEE Smart will be hoping to follow in the tyre tracks of Wildcats team mates Dan Giffard and Tom Brown at Mildenhall on Sunday 3rd April (5pm). The new Weymouth number four competes in the second round of the British Under 21 Championship at West Row. Giffard and Brown booked their place in the final at Rye House later this month by finishing first and third respectively in the opening round at the Wessex Stadium on Monday and Smart is expected to complete a Wildcats hat trick at his old stomping ground.

Weymouth boss Brian White said: “Lee goes to Mildenhall with a great chance of qualifying for the final. He’s a former Mildenhall rider who knows the track really well and we have high hopes of him joining Dan and Tom at Rye House. What he needs to do is finish in the top four and the form book certainly points in his favour. But it’s going to be a tough meeting for Lee and so fingers crossed he can make it.”

Giffard’s 15 point maximum at Radipole Lane means he’ll now go to the final as one of the favourites to win the title and White believes he’s got the ability to do it.  “Dan was outstanding on Monday,” added White, “and he’s absolutely determined to do well at Rye House. Kelvin Tatum is acting as his mentor in the championship and his experience and know how has obviously helped.

“Tom was also in good form and looks like he can make a serious challenge and if Lee gets through he’ll also be in with a great chance. In all we would have seven riders competing in the competition and despite not making it through the qualifiers, Jack Gledhill, Matt Bates, Lewis Bridger and Marc Andrews have all done the club proud as well.”
 

BRIDGER CROSSES THE DIVIDE
By Paul Baker  Tuesday 31 May 2005
WILDCATS ended leaders Oxford’s unbeaten Conference League run in thrilling fashion at the Wessex Stadium yesterday. Having trailed the Silver Dream Academy for most of the afternoon, Weymouth completed a dramatic late come back to pull off an unlikely 45-44 success. In front of a bumper bank holiday crowd, Brian White's men had looked dead and buried after 13 races with the visitors holding a comfortable 35-30 advantage. But three consecutive Wildcats heat victories turned the meeting on its head and make it seven wins out of seven at Radipole Lane this summer.

Two of those race wins went to 15-year-old sensation Lewis Bridger who topped scored for the Dorset outfit with 12 paid 13. Dan Giffard (10) and Tom Brown (10+1) were also in good nick for the hosts, as was former Weymouth star Ben Barker who returned 13+1 for the Academy. Wildcats could not have made a worse start with captain David Mason taking a rare tumble in the opener and being excluded from the re-run. His partner Paul Candy then came to grief second time around leaving Barker and Chris Mills to cruise to 5-1. Race two was a shared encounter, won by Bridger in a blistering time of 54.0 seconds with the hosts collecting their first heat success in the next.

Brown roared from the gate to take the chequered flag leaving Jamie Courtney sandwiched between the winner and Jack Gledhill. Oxford hit back immediately with a 4-2 in fourth before Welshman Brown pulled off a stunning move to get around the outside of Mills in heat five to earn Weymouth a share of the spoils. Another drawn encounter followed to make it 20-16 to the Academy, but back came the Wildcats in the seventh thanks to a 4-2 success from Giffard and Bridger. No sooner had the hosts closed the gap, they playing catch up again after an excellent tapes to flag victory for Barker in race eight. For much of that contest Candy held second spot, but he was caught by a battling Kyle Hughes to give the visitors a full house. Heat nine ended all square with Craig Branney showing Brown and Gledhill a clean pair of heels, but the pendulum swung dramatically in the Wildcats favour during the 10th which saw both Oxford riders crash out of contention.

Courtney was the first to go when he lost control on turn four, with his team mate John Branney hitting the fence in exactly the same place in the re-run. Both were lucky to walk away relatively unscathed with referee Barrie Richardson initially awarding a 5-0 to the hosts. But a protest from Silver Dream manager Bryn Williams, who rightly pointed out that not all three riders had completed a lap to allow the result to stand, saw a third running of the heat in which Mason and Bridger glided round to claim the points.

Oxford’s misfortune proved a tonic for the Wildcats who were now just a point down at 30-29. However justice was arguably done as Barker and Mills recorded a maximum over Giffard and Bridger. The seesaw battle continued with Bridger and Brown repaying the compliment with a 5-1 in the next and the Wildcats then went ahead for the first time thanks to a 4-2 from Giffard and Mason in heat 13. If that wasn’t enough to thrill the Wessex Stadium faithful, what happened in the penultimate race certainly was.

Not only did Bridger and Gledhill gave them another maximum to cheer, it also left the home side needing just a point from the last encounter to guarantee victory. When the tapes rose for the last time, nominated pairing Giffard and Brown understandably played it safe, allowing Barker and Craig Branney to notch Oxford’s fourth 5-1. But Giffard’s third place was enough to secure a memorable Weymouth success and put Wildcats within a point of the Conference League leaders.
 

MASCOT PIPER CLIMBS THE PODIUM
JOSH Auty continued his amazing start to the 2005 British Under 15 Championship yesterday. The Yorkshire schooboy blazed to victory in the third round at the Wessex Stadium with a five-race maximum, making it 15 heat wins out of 15 in this year’s competition. Auty, who claimed the title last summer, was in a class of his own, clocking times that would have piled up the points in the preceding Conference League clash between Weymouth and Oxford. And there was good news for Wildcats 13-year-old mascot George Piper who finished third with 13 points.

The Sturminster Newton teenager was beaten just twice on his home circuit, once by the winner and once by Ben Taylor (14pts) who took the runner-up prize. “I’m delighted with third,” said George. “I picked up 11 points in the second round at Armadale on Saturday and so this is an improvement on that. My aim is to make the rostrum at the end of the championship and this result has put me third overall which is great.”
 

IT'S HOME SWEET HOME FOR GEORGE
By Paul Baker Monday 30 May 2005
GEORGE Piper will be hoping that home advantage counts in round three of the British Under-15 Championship at the Wessex Stadium today (4pm). The Wildcats mascot is one of the favourites to make the rostrum in the event which follows Weymouth’s top of the table Conference League clash with Oxford (2pm). And the Sturminster Newton based schoolboy goes into the event in good form after finishing fourth in Saturday’s second round at Armadale with 11 points.

Wildcats boss Brian White said: "George is riding really well this season and has every chance this afternoon. He knows the Weymouth track inside out and will definitely be one of the riders to beat. "It’s a great honour to  again be hosting the British Under-15 Championship and it underlines our commitment to youth and to bringing youngsters into the sport. It’s also great that we have a home rider in George to cheer and hopefully fans will stay on after the main event to get behind the lad. George has got a big future in speedway and today could certainly be his day."

Favourite to take the honours is Yorkshire youngster Josh Auty. He scored a 15-point maximum at Armadale is the reigning British Under-15 champion. Weymouth followers have already seen Auty’s class first hand – he won all five of his races in taking the honours at last summer’s corresponding fixture. White added: "Josh is a big talent and is destined for great things. He absolutely walked the Weymouth round last year and won all five heats by a mile."

Under-15 line up: Auty, Butler, Davies, Greenwood, Haines, Goodger, Hopwood, Jarvis, Johnson, Kirkman, Meakins, Piper, Reade, Taylor, Thompson, Wideman.
 

ACADEMY WILL TEST WILDCATS
By Paul Baker   Monday 30 May 2005
WILDCATS will put their Conference League title credentials on the line when they entertain leaders Oxford Dream Academy at the Wessex Stadium on Monday (2pm). Brian White’s men are currently lying fourth in the table, three points behind the unbeaten visitors with a match in hand. The bank holiday clash, part of a double-header featuring round three of the British Under-15 Championship, promises to be a cracker and the Weymouth boss is urging fans to get behind his riders.

He said: “We’ve got a top of the table clash between two great teams, followed by a championship round involving the country’s top youngsters. If there is anything else on in the town to better that, then I’ve yet to hear about it. Beating Oxford is an absolutely must for us if we are serious about winning the league this season. We’ve made a great start with just one defeat so far and we go into this one on the back of two excellent victories over Scunthorpe and Sittingbourne.  The riders are well aware of what’s required and are really up for it and we need our supporters to be in the same frame of mind. When the fans get behind the team the noise makes for a great atmosphere and it almost acts like an extra man in the side. Oxford will be coming here full of confidence but our followers can really help us stop them in their tracks. Come the end of the season I think both teams will up there battling for honours so this meeting is crucial. Nothing less than a win will do and it really will be a great afternoon at the Wessex.”

Returning to bolster the Wildcats chances is heat leader Dan Giffrad who missed Sunday’s easy success at Sittingbourne because of his World Under 21 Championship qualifying round appearance at Belle Vue. The only other change is positional with Paul Candy moving up to number two and Jack Gledhill slotting in a four. Fans will get the chance to see what could have been in the shape of Jamie Courtney, who last year turned down an opportunity to join the Wildcats.
 

FANS  EXPRESS DELIGHT AT STADIUM PROPOSALS
By Paul Baker  Thursday 26 May 2005
SPEEDWAY fans have expressed their delight at plans to include a brand new track in the proposed complex at the Wessex Stadium. The scheme, unveiled in Friday’s Echo, is centred around the relocation of Asda from Newstead Road and includes a new football stadium for the Terras. Weymouth Wildcats have been using the football club’s training ground as their home since reforming following a 20- year absence in 2003. And while Brian White’s men hold an impressive third place in the Conference League, supporters say a permanent circuit is what is needed to help the team reach the sport’s heights.

Wildcats follower Pat Loveless of Weymouth said: I’ve been coming to watch speedway ever since they were the Wizards back in the 70s and I honestly believe this would be the making of the club. It’s about time it happened and the club deserves it. This is my first season watching the Wildcats, said Weymouth resident Janet Honey, but the new track would be brilliant.

Meanwhile Ray Dean, who lives in Dorchester, said he was impressed with the plans which also include the relocation of the Wessex nine-hole golf course. He said: I have to say the new complex looks very impressive and I’m always behind anything that’s good for the local community. I think it would be good for speedway, good for the football club and good for the area.

Teenage Portland-based fan Dan Gallier, 14, added: It would be a good idea. I come every week and a new track would be much better. We need it if we’re going to be as big as Poole. They ride in the Elite League which is the top competition in speedway and there’s no reason why Weymouth can’t do the same one day.

Poppy Chambers, 13, and Bethany Bevis, 12, both from Weymouth, said: The new track would be much better because there’s not much covering for the fans at the moment and it’s a bit small. Despite being pleased with the proposals, some followers are slightly more sceptical about whether or not the development will go ahead. They’ve been talking about this for ages and its about time they did it, Pete Pitney, 50, from Weymouth, said.
The speedway club have needed it since they left the old Wessex Stadium back in the early 80s so this is the best thing that could happen.

However, it’s not just Weymouth fans who are calling for the changes. There was even support from followers of Elite League champions Poole, who regularly attract crowds of more than 6,000 to their Wimborne Road headquarters. Pirate fanatic Terry Vine of Bere Regis said: I came to the first ever Weymouth meeting. If they’re going to get to Poole’s standard then this would be the best thing for them. And Roger Airey, who lives in Wareham added: It looks as though there would be covering for the spectators which is a nice idea. The whole thing looks wonderful. A decision on the outline proposals for the Wessex Stadium complex is set to be made later this year.
 

BATES BREAKS BACK
By Paul Baker  Monday 23 May 2005
Matt Bates is today confined to a wheelchair after breaking his back in a horrific crash at Mildenhall. The 15-year-old schoolboy, who quit Weymouth last week after the club moved its race night from Thursday to Friday, fractured vertebras following a heat six spill on his debut for the Fen Tigers against Wimbledon in the Conference Trophy on Sunday. Having made a fast start off the gate, Bates lost control on the first bend and smashed into the safety fence. After laying motionless on the track for more than ten minutes, the Devon-based rider was rushed to hospital in Cambridge by ambulance.

Wildcats boss Brian White explained: We were riding at Sittingbourne on Sunday and I got a call from someone at Mildenhall to tell me Matt had been seriously hurt. Obviously we were all very concerned because it sounded like a very nasty crash. I managed to talk to Matt’s father Ken yesterday and he has confirmed the lad has fractured vertebras at the base of his spine. He’s back home now but he will  have to spend some time in a wheelchair.

It’s a real shame because what it means is his season is definitely over. Matt’s on the verge of really making it big in speedway and so it couldn’t have come at a worse time for him. It was a big blow when he was forced to leave us last week because of the change of race night and Sunday was his very first meeting for new club Mildenhall. What’s really important though is that the doctors say he will make a full recovery and everyone at Weymouth wishes him well. Bates scored one point in the Fen Tigers 51-42 success over the Dons while Lee Smart, who also left the Wessex Stadium last week because of the race night change, collected eight points on his return to his former club.
 

BRIDGER'S WINNING CRUSADE
By Paul Baker  Monday 23 May 2005
LEWIS Bridger helped Weymouth up to third in the Conference League table with a blistering display against Sittingbourne yesterday. The 15-year-old schoolboy reserve scored a breathtaking paid maximum as the Wildcats saw off the Crusaders 55-39 at Old Ferry Road. Bridger, in is first competitive season, is already being talked about as a world champion of the future, something his Wessex Stadium boss Brian White agrees with.
"The boy is awesome," said White, "and he just keeps getting better and better. Nothing seems to faze him. Whatever  the situation, whatever the opposition, he just goes out and gives it everything. "The way he handles a bike is a joy to watch and Weymouth can honestly boast a real star in the making. In his first heat he went out and clocked the fastest time at Sittingbourne this season of 59.4 seconds and that just about says it all."

Bridger’s 17+1 return came courtesy of five wins from his six outings. The only time he failed to take the chequered flag was when he finished second behind his captain David Mason in heat eight. Mason (14+1) also scored a paid maximum while Tom Brown picked up a superb 15+1 from his six races. Having arrived in Kent without Dan Giffard who was on World Under-21 Qualifying round duty at Belle Vue, White opted to use rider replacement in his absence. And it immediately paid dividends with Brown coming in to partner Mason for a 4-2 in the opener.

Victories for Brown, Bridger (twice) and Mason helped the visitors into a 18-12 lead after race five with the Crusaders hitting back courtesy of a 5-1 from Trevor Banks and Wayne Parker in the sixth. But that was to prove one of only two actual race wins for the hosts, Chris Hunt crossed the line first in heat nine, although double points tactical rides did see them take the 13th, 5-3.

In all, the Wildcats clocked up 13 victories and nine heat advantages including a Bridger\Mason 5-1 in race 11 and Bridger\Brown full house in the last. In fact Weymouth were never troubled throughout the meeting and the 16-point success, which followed Friday’s 54-42 triumph over Scunthorpe at Radipole Lane, was no more than they deserved.

White added: "Lewis, David Mason and Tom Brown were outstanding, scoring 46 points and three bonus points between them. When you have three riders in that sort of form you’re going to win speedway matches. We had beaten Sittingbourne well in a challenge at Weymouth earlier in the season but it was always going to be harder at their place and without Dan Giffard. But everyone worked hard again today and the team spirit in the pits is excellent. The win takes us up to third which is great, especially with leaders Oxford due at the Wessex Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday."
 

WORLD UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP
By Paul Baker  Sunday 22 May 2005
First Qualifying Round, Belle Vue
WEYMOUTH star Dan Giffard achieved one of his burning ambitions yesterday by riding in a World Under-21 Championship event. The Wildcats number five made one appearance on track at Belle Vue, coming in as a reserve to replace Rene Schafer. That was in heat 13 after Shafer had withdrawn from the meeting and Giffard did himself, his club and Conference League proud by finishing third.

Weymouth boss Brian White said: "Dan was there as first reserve after coming fifth in the British final at Rye House. I’m delighted he managed to get a ride, albeit just the one, and to come third against some of the world’s top young riders is superb. "Dan was one of the few lads at Belle Vue who doesn’t ride in the Premier League or higher so it’s no mean achievement, that’s for sure."

Another Dorset-based rider, Poole’s Krzysztof Kasprzak, took the title and booked a place in the semi-finals. He ended the main event with 12 points to his name and then held off Pawel Hlib, Rory Schlein and Britain’s Daniel King to win the grand final.
 

DIFFERENT NIGHT, DIFFERENT LINE-UP, SAME RESULT!
By Paul Baker  Saturday 21 May 2005
Weymouth’s move from Thursday to Friday nights may have seen the enforced exits of star youngsters Lee Smart and Matt Bates, but it has had little effect on the Wildcats bid for Conference League honours. With Paul Candy and debutant Adam Filmer coming in to replace the departed duo, the hosts roared to a 54-42 victory over a determined Scunthorpe Scorpions to stretch their unbeaten home record at the Wessex Stadium this season to six matches. Captain David Mason (11+1) and Tom Brown (11+2) led the way for the hosts, with Dan Giffard (10) and flying reserve Lewis Bridger (10+1) giving great support further down the order.

Delighted boss Brian White said: "The switch to Fridays has come at a price with both Lee Smart and Matt Bates unable to ride for us any more. We always knew it would be a gamble but this result proves that we are still one of the strongest sides in the league. Paul Candy and Adam Filmer have come in and collected important points and a 54-42 win over Scunthorpe is a decent performance and keeps us right up there on the tails of the league leaders."

Following a delayed start to allow staff extra time to work on the saturated track it was the Wildcats who opened with a 4-2 win in the first courtesy of Mason and Jack Gledhill. And they immediately extended that early advantage with Bridger and new boy Filmer returning a maximum 5-1 in heat two. The outstanding Ritchie Dennis secured the maiden Scorpions chequered flag in a shared race three ahead of Candy and Brown before Wayne Carter and rookie Grant Hayes notched up a 4-2 success for the visitors in the next.

Weymouth hit back in a thrilling heat five, which saw Brown and Danny Norton battling neck-and-neck for the lead on the opening lap. As the pair went into the second circuit the Scunthorpe captain hit the dirt leaving Brown clear to take the spoils with Candy back in third. That gave the Wildcats an 18-12 advantage going into the sixth and they maintained their six-point lead as Mason and Gledhill followed Carter home for another 3-3.

The hosts began to pull clear again with back-to-back 4-2s featuring wins for the in-form Giffard and Gledhill. Scorpions’ bid to close the gap failed in heat nine as Brown held off tactical ride Carter in a 4-4 draw, but it was a very different story in the next. This time Dennis was handed the chance to double his score and the exciting number three blazed from last to first to help his team to a 7-2 victory which narrowed Weymouth’s overall lead to just five points. Hopes of a Scunthorpe comeback were quickly ended as Giffard and Bridger gave a devastating display to collect a 5-1 for the hosts in race 11. And although the visitors collected a 4-3 in the 12th, the Wildcats made sure of points with a maximum in race 13, courtesy of Giffard and Mason. Bridger sailed home for his second victory in a shared penultimate contest and it ended all-square in the last with Dennis collecting the three points to record an impressive 16.

White added: "Track conditions made life difficult early on but we did well to get the meeting on in the first place. At 10am the place was under water and so I’d like to thank everyone who helped out during the day to ensure racing went ahead."
 

CANDY MAN CAN
By Paul Baker  Friday 20 May 2005
PAUL Candy is hoping to score some points with the lady in his life when he lines-up for the Wildcats against Scunthorpe at the Wessex Stadium tonight (7.30pm). The Taunton-based rider admits he was ready to quit the sport a month ago after suffering a shocking start to the new season. But just as he was about to hang up his leathers, partner Joanne stepped in and convinced to have another crack at the sport he loves. Having reluctantly heeded her advice, Candy has now been handed a place in the main body of the team following the Wildcats switch from Thursday to Friday nights which has seen the loss of Lee Smart to Somerset.

He explained: “Last season was terrible for me after leaving Weymouth to join Newport. Things didn’t go right on the track, then I lost my dad and once you get down you half expect things to go badly all the time. This year I was determined to have a real good crack at things and so I came back to Weymouth as a squad member, determined to earn a place in the team. Unfortunately things didn’t quite go to plan and had a lot of problems early on with my machinery and to be honest, four or five weeks ago I was ready to pack it all in. The only reason I didn’t was because Joanne talked me round. She told me I was better than that and that I should beat speedway before retiring, not let the sport beat me.”

He added: “Having thought about it I realised she was right and now here I am with a great second chance, which I’m going to take with both hands. I know I’ve only been handed it because of the move from Thursdays to Fridays which means Lee Smart is unavailable because he rides for Somerset. But it doesn’t matter to me how or why. The important thing is that I’m back in the team and now the rest is down to me.”

Candy for Smart is one of two changes in the Weymouth line-up brought about by the change of race night. The other sees rookie Adam Filmer making his debut at reserve in place of the now unavailable Matt Bates. “It’s obviously a bit disruptive for the guys,” said Candy, “but both Adam and I will be doing all we can to fit in quickly and pick up where Lee and Matt left off. For me it’s personal and I’m absolutely determined to go out there tonight and do the business for me, the team, the supporters, my sponsors, but particularly for dad and Joanne.”

Meanwhile tonight will be the Scorpions’ first ever visit to Radipole Lane and Candy is expecting them to be strong. He added: “On paper they look good with guys like Danny Norton and Wayne Carter and I can see them having a decent season. But I can’t see anyone beating us at home and so I’m confident of a big Wildcats win.”
 

GIFFARD STILL EYES U-21 CHANCE
By Paul Baker  Friday 20 May 2005
DAN Giffard is set to be handed a World Under-21 Qualifying rounds lifeline. The Wildcats star was snubbed for a place in the competition despite finishing fifth in the British final at Rye House. The top four from the event automatically qualified for this Sunday’s race at Belle Vue with British Under-21 manager Peter Oakes nominating a further two riders. Weymouth boss Brian White was fuming after Oakes snubbed fifth place Giffard and instead named James Wright and Tommy Allen as Britain’s other representatives. But the talented Wildcat could be lining up in the race after all as he has been named first reserve and fitness doubts surround Workington’s Wright.

White said: “I’m still in shock at how Dan was overlooked in the first place but it’s now looking like there is a good chance he’ll be riding in the World Under-21 Qualifying rounds after all. “Dan has been named at first reserve for the qualifier up at Belle Vue but I’ve been talking to a couple of promoters who say it’s very unlikely James Wright, who has been selected, will be able to run. “James is a talented rider who deserves his place but he has been injured recently and my understanding is he may not recover in time. If that happens, the result would be that Dan would take his place in the meeting. You never want a speedway rider to suffer misfortune but it may well be that Dan, Weymouth and the Conference League benefit on this occasion.”

After Sunday’s prestigious meeting, other World Under-21 qualifiers take place in Austria and Czech Republic. With Giffard being named first reserve at Belle Vue, he is now set to miss Wildcats’ league trip to Sittingbourne on Sunday. White, who plans to use rider replacement in Kent, added: “The way Dan has ridden so far this season, he fully deserves to be competing in the World Under-21 qualifiers. “In the British final at Rye House, he qualified for the final with a 15-point maximum and you can’t ask for any more than that. With the form he has been in, I’d love to have him riding race in and race out for Weymouth. But the World Under-21 qualifiers are prestigious and there’s no way I could stand his way. Should James Wright not make it on Sunday and Dan takes his place, I’m sure Dan will do himself, Weymouth and the Conference League proud.”
 

FILMER JOINS AS TWO QUIT WILDCATS
By Paul Baker  Thursday 19 May 2005
WEYMOUTH will today complete the signing of new reserve Adam Filmer. The 18-year-old rookie has been snapped up by Wildcats boss Brian White as a replacement for Matt Bates, who has been forced to quit the club following the move back to Friday night racing. Filmer, who lives in Ashford, has been recommended to the Wessex Stadium chief by heat leader Dan Giffard.

“You don’t put your neck on the line unless you have confidence,” said Giffard, “and I’ve got plenty in young Adam. He started life as a grass tracker and has spent the past two years riding second halves at places like Eastbourne and King’s Lynn and in my opinion he is now ready for the step up to team riding. Obviously it will take him a few meetings to get acclimatised but once he’s settled I reckon he could be a big asset to the Wildcats. Losing Matt is a big blow but Adam’s young, hungry and keen to impress and will be an ideal replacement.”

Filmer makes his debut when the Wildcats entertain Scunthorpe in the Conference League tomorrow night (7.30pm), but the bad news is that the hosts will be without Lee Smart. Like Bates, the flying teenager is unavailable on Fridays due to his commitments with parent club Somerset Rebels and so Paul Candy gets his chance of a run in the starting line-up.

“Changing from Thursday to Friday has been costly in terms of losing riders,” added White, “but this is a business and we have to do what’s right for the club and its supporters. Losing Lee is a very bitter pill to swallow but while he’s gutted to be moving, he understands our reasoning. I wouldn’t let a rider like him go without good reason, I can assure fans of that.”

Smart, who won the treble with Mildenhall last term, is now expected to rejoin the Fen Tigers for his Conference League rides. White added: “Mildenhall have been in touch and I’ve given them permission to talk to him. Whether he goes or not remains to be seen but it looks likely and I would be the first to thank him and wish him all the luck in the world.”
 

NO MORE LATEST NEWS
By Tim Helm Wednesday 18th May 2005
Due to a lack of co-operation there will be no more latest news items posted until further notice. Paul Baker from the Dorset Echo asked me not to publish any stories that appeared in the Dorset Echo which I agreed to several weeks ago, when he explained pressure had been put on him regarding his decision. I agreed not to use the stories, although these stories do appear on many other Speedway websites as press releases, they will not appear on here, you can read them on the official site a link for this is on the left just above the Dorset Echo link.

If anyone wants to post them on the forum that is totally up to them, although at the end of the season the forum will be closed and archived off as with the new Speedway 4 U website this would serve a better forum and live updates service which covers much more. At this time the Unofficial website is sticking by it’s word and co-operating with Paul Baker on this matter.

This site has all the news stories right back to July 2003 when the Wildcats were re-born and was good enough to help advertise not only the Weymouth Speedway team but the Dorset Echo as well.

I wish the Speedway promotion at Weymouth all the best and hope that the change of night will again bring the supporters back in the numbers once enjoyed by all. A good team could really do with big support, good luck.
 

IT'S BACK TO FRIDAYS FOR WILDCATS
By Matt Pitman  Tuesday 17 May 2005
BOSS Brian White is moving Weymouth Wildcats' home meetings to Friday nights. The switch means this Thursday's scheduled Conference League clash with Scunthorpe at the Wessex Stadium has been pushed back 24 hours to May 20 (7.30pm). And White is convinced reverting back to last season's usual home night will boost crowds at the Radipole Lane track. He said: "Running on Friday nights, as we did last season, is the best thing for the long-term future of the club and hopefully it will help boost attendances. I've spoken to the British Speedway Promoters' Association about the move and they said they don't see any problems unless another club appeals. I can't see that realistically happening because our closest club running on a Friday night is Somerset and we worked well with them last season in similar circumstances. Scunthorpe, who were due down here on Thursday, have also been notified and they are happy with the decision so their visit down here is now scheduled for this Friday night, 7.30pm start."

After Scunthorpe's visit and a Bank Holiday home clash with Oxford later this month, Weymouth's won't be riding at the Wessex again until June 3. "Making the switch now gives us some time to make sure everyone is happy with the move," said White. "After the Bank Holiday, we're not due to ride at home again until we Buxton at home in the Knock-Out Cup. Obviously some riders who have commitments with other clubs may be affected by the switch to Fridays but at least, by doing it now, we have a little bit of time to sort things out."
 

WILDCATS UNDERLINE TITLE AMBITIONS
By David Swain Friday 13 May 2005
WILDCATS underlined their title ambitions when they swept aside second in the table Boston at the Wessex Stadium last night. An emphatic win in their first home league appearance of the season gave Brian White's side a 105-81 aggregate success that lifted them from 10th to fourth in the league after they comfortably pocketed the crucial bonus point following the Barracudas' narrow 48-45 triumph in Lincolnshire last month.

Before the match White had dared to suggest that he could not see anyone beating his men this season on their home "trick track".  And after last night's performance against an outfit expected to be right up there challenging for the championship, few would bet against a 100 per cent return at the Wessex.

White was understandably elated. "I'm over the moon," he said. " A lot of people are tipping either Boston or Weymouth to be up there come the end of the season and tonight we absolutely annihilated them. "It's a result that will make the rest of the league sit up and take notice. To be honest I fully expected Boston to put up a bit of a stronger challenge. By the end they were dialled in to the conditions and were riding quite well, but it is fair to say we have a lot of home-track advantage and it is going to take a super performance to beat us here."

The night got off to a cracking start for Wildcats with skipper David Mason and Jack Gledhill roaring ahead of Boston's big track specialist Simon Walker from the tapes. Gledhill then made it impossible for Walker to get by him leaving Mason to start his night with a comfortable three-pointer as Wildcats took a 5-1 lead. Honours were shared in heat two after Boston's 16-year-old Simon Lambert got away to a flyer and fended off Lewis Bridger's determined bid to topple him but Wildcats Lee Smart and Tom Brown rattled up another 5-1 in race three to open up an eight-point lead.

Braves top scorer Carl Wilkinson, regarded as one of the best riders in the Conference after three good seasons with Premier League Newport, displayed his credentials with a fine ride from the front in heat four with Dan Giffard and Matt Bates following him home for another 3-3. But three good wins in a row then stretched Wildcats lead to 18 points and they were never going to give up an advantage like that. Heat six was easily the best of the night, some were saying the best ever at the Wessex, with Mason, Wilkinson and Gledhill engaged in a terrific scrap from the tapes.

The lead changed hands several times before Mason led going into the last lap and it looked like a Wildcats one-two. Then Wilkinson squeezed past Gledhill and had a real crack at the leader who just managed to hold him off on the last bend with Gledhill snapping at the Boston man's heels right up to the flag.

A tactical ride by Lambert saw Boston peg the lead with a 4-4 in race eight but as the visitors' mechanical gremlins mounted - tactical rider Wilkinson was unlucky when his engine failed as he led going into the last bend in heat nine - Wildcats won another three in a row to open up a 27-point lead by race 11. It was heat 12 before Boston won a heat, Darren Mallett scoring a rare success for the visitors. Braves skipper Walker failed to appear for heat 13 after blowing his engine and with no eligible replacement Boston slipped further behind.

White nominated Bridger, who picked up paid 11 points, and Gledhill for the final heat but Bridger's successful night ended in disappointment on the first lap. His bike reared when he got too much traction on the back straight and he was unceremoniously dumped on his back. Gledhill did well to lay his bike down to avoid his fallen team-mate and fortunately the in-form 15-year-old was able to get up and walk away with nothing more than a bruised ego.
 

TRUMP CARD BRIDGER KEY TO WILDCATS SUCCESS
By David Swain Thursday 12 May 2005
BRIAN White reckons teenager Lewis Bridger could be the Wildcats trump card as his men look to underline their standing as favourites for the Conference League title at home to Boston tonight. “He’s only 15 but he’s absolutely on fire at the moment and there can’t be another side in the league with a reserve as good as him ready to come in,” said White. “He was riding in the second half at Eastbourne last week and did a 59 second heat when heat 13 that included the two top riders was timed at 58.3. Then on Sunday he rode in the second half at Wimbledon and his time was quicker than anything in the actual meeting.”

But White is warning Wildcats fans that Bridger’s time at the Wessex Stadium could be limited. “We are expecting quite a few Premier League sides to be after him when he is 16 after the start of next season,” he said. “At least we will have him for this season and part way through next, so anyone who wants to see a potential world champion in action should take this opportunity now.”

The Wildcats will be going for their first home win in the league tonight and White is confident they can also land a crucial bonus point by beating Boston by more than the three points which separated the sides in the Barracudas’ 48-45 victory in Lincolnshire on April 17.  “I can’t see anyone beating us at home this season but the bonus point is crucial and that’s got to be our target,” said White. “We were ten points ahead and cruising after heat ten at their place, but then we took our foot off the gas and they pipped us at the post,”

The Carpets Galore Wildcats will be at full strength tonight but the visitors  will be missing ex-Wildcat Nathan Irwin  who rode in the earlier clash but later suffered a broken bone in his hand. “He started with us a couple of years ago before moving on to Swindon,” said White. “When they pulled out of the league he got a place at Boston and he’s been riding very well for them. They’ve signed James Horton to replace him but he’s not making his debut until Sunday and Phil Pickering will be taking his place tonight.”

Wildcats fans will be allowed into the pits tonight to meet their heroes, chat about the prospects and get their autographs between 6.30 and 7pm. “Normally the pits are out of bounds before a meeting but the riders don’t usually start warming up their bikes until about five past seven so we thought it would be nice for our fans to come and meet them,” said White.
 

GIFFARD SNUBBED
By Paul Baker  Saturday 07 May 2005 
DAN Giffard will not be competing in the World Under-21 Qualifying rounds. The Wildcats star has been overlooked despite finishing fifth in the British final at Rye House last weekend. The top four from that event automatically qualify with British Under-21 manager Peter Oakes handed the job of nominating a further two riders. But instead of picking the men who finished fifth and sixth in the national championship, Oakes has named James Wright and Tommy Allen, as Britain's other representative. The controversial decision has incensed Giffard and his Weymouth team boss Brian White.

"I really can't believe it," explained White. "There are six places available in the world qualifiers for British riders and the first four from last Sunday's final go through by right. It was then down to Peter Oakes to choose two others and it was assumed that boys who finished fifth and sixth would get the nod. What he's done instead is pick Workington's James Wright and Rye House's Tommy Allen and I can tell you I'm not happy about it. James Wright I have no problem with because he was injured at the weekend and would have probably made the top four had he been riding. He's a great talent and the way he's ridden this year, he deserves his place. It's Tommy Allen I'm annoyed about although it's nothing personal towards the rider. The fact is though that he came about eighth at Rye House and Dan came in fifth. On top of that, Dan also beat him easily on the night.

"If you consider that and also the fact that Dan qualified for the final with a 15-point maximum in his heat, then surely he's the one who should be going in the world events, not Tommy Allen. I'm absolutely gutted for him and I think it's a very poor decision by Peter. This is Dan's last shot at under-21 glory and he's put everything in to it, including about £7,000 spent on his equipment. He also employed ex-World Longtrack champion Kelvin Tatum as his mentor this season and I'm just gutted for him. I'm not sure what else the lad could have done and I know he's really upset by the decision. Peter's reasoning is that Dan isn't a Premier League rider like all the others but that's not for the want of trying.

"He spent all winter trying to get a Premier League place without success and has instead come back to the Conference League with Weymouth where he's ridden superbly so far this year. I think it's a snub for Dan, a snub for Weymouth and a snub for the Conference League as well. I've got a lot of time for Peter Oakes and I'm a great admirer of the work he's done for speedway at youth and under-21 level. But on this occasion he's got it wrong and I can't see how he can justify what he's done."

The first of three World Under-21 qualifiers takes place at Belle Vue later this month with the other meetings in Austria and the Czech Republic. But with no appeal procedure available, Giffard's hopes of making any of the meetings are dead in the water. White added: "We can't appeal so that is that. It's a real shame but all Dan can do now is perform for Weymouth and prove Peter Oakes wrong. He knows he did enough to qualify and while that's scant consolation, it's all he can take from the experience."
 

RACE FOR PARLIAMENT HOTS UP
By Richard Hogg Tuesday 3rd May 2005
THE General Election campaign has been picking up pace with Dorset South parliamentary candidates heading off to the speedway. Labour's Jim Knight and Conservative Ed Matts were joined by Health Secretary John Reid at the speedway meeting between the Weymouth Wildcats and the Wimbledon Dons. At the end of the event the candidates colours were drawn out of hat by the Wildcats top four riders of the day and the quartet raced.

In a re-run of the 2001 election Labour came first through rider Tom Brown, the Conservatives came second thanks to Wildcats star David Mason, the Liberal Democrats came third through Lewis Bridger. The rest of the parties standing were represented by Dan Giffard who came fourth.

Mr Reid had been in Weymouth helping Jim Knight boost his campaign for re-election. The labour pair had spent the part of the day walking through the town centre answering questions from the public. Mr Knight said: " It was a good day. I went to the speedway, something I haven't seen before. I gather Tom Brown is a rising star and he certainly did the business for me. "Myself and Mr Reid had a good walk through town. People were coming up and making their points clearly and robustly but generally the response was very positive."
 

SUPER CATS
By Paul Baker  Tuesday 3rd May 2005
BRITISH Under-21 Championship finalists Dan Giffard and Tom Brown led Weymouth to a third easy success of the season over Wimbledon at the Wessex Stadium yesterday. The Wildcats duo, who finished fifth and 11th respectively in Saturday’s Rye House showdown, both returned 14-point paid maximums as the hosts blitzed the Dons 58-35 in the Conference Trophy. And Brown, whose only defeat during a highly-charged meeting came against Giffard, rounded off a great afternoon’s work by scoring victory for South Dorset Labour candidate Jim Knight in a special speedway general election race following the main event.

"It’s been a good day for both me and the team," said the Welshman. "Riding in the Under 21 final did wonders for my confidence and it was a real learning experience. Getting the win for Jim Knight was also good fun and I’m convinced there are glory days ahead for Weymouth this season."

The visitors took an early lead with a 4-2 in the opener but it was the second heat that got everyone talking after some ugly scenes during the first of three attempts to run it. First up referee Margaret Vardy signalled an unsatisfactory start and as the riders came to halt on the turn one, Dons reserve Danny Betson and Wildcat Matt Bates collided. Betson took exception and appeared to swing a boot in the direction of his opponent while the home rider was laid pole-axed on the ground. There then followed some pushing, shoving and plenty of verbals in the pits with Ms Vardy having to deliver stern words of warning to representatives from both camps in a bid to restore calm. When the race eventually went ahead, Lewis Bridger scored an comfortable win for the hosts with Bates collecting a point for third.

Brown then came from third to first to earn Weymouth a share of the spoils in the next before the Wildcats took full advantage of Buzz Burrows having to start with a 15 metre handicap for a tapes offence in race four. With the star Dons asset so far behind, Giffard and Bates roared from the gate to take maximum points for the Wildcats.

Brown and Candy put the Dorset side 17-12 up with a 4-2 in race five and they went further in front thanks to as stunning ride by David Mason in the sixth. He tracked Burrows for three and three quarter laps before flying off the final bend to take him on the line in what was another 4-2 triumph for the Wildcats.

Weymouth reeled off three heat advantages to open a commanding 34-20 advantage going into the heat 10, but that’s when Wimbledon hit back thanks to six-point haul from tactical ride Matthew Wright. But hopes of a Londoners revival were thwarted as quick as they began, as first Giffard maintained his 100 per cent record, followed by Brown. Giffard's charge towards a full maximum was then ended in heat 13, but the ex-Stoke man wouldn't have been too concerned as he followed Mason home to bank Weymouth's second 5-1. An eighth 4-2 success put Weymouth 53-34 ahead going into the last and they finished in a blaze of glory courtesy of Giffard and Brown who claimed another full house to secure their paid maximums.
 

GIFFARD WAITS FOR WORLD GREEN LIGHT
By Paul Baker  Monday 2nd May 2005
WILDCAT Dan Giffard came within a whisker of making the rostrum in the British Under-21 Championship final. The Weymouth youngster made it through to the competition semi-final after winning three of his five qualifying races at Rye House. But a third place finish behind Daniel King and Richard Hall saw the ex-Stoke star just miss out although club boss Brian White said fifth overall was a ‘great effort’ from Giffard.

White said: “When you consider Dan was one of only three riders who regularly race in the Conference League, finishing fifth was a great effort. Most of the boys ride for Premier League teams and so Dan’s done himself and Weymouth proud. Going into the semi-final he had every chance and had he got away from the start a bit better then I’m sure he would have made the final.”

After winning his opening two heats, Giffard could only manage a third and last place in his next couple of outings. That meant he had to win his final race to reach the semis and White revealed how a phone call to former World Long Track champion Kelvin Tatum did the trick. “Kelvin’s acted as Dan’s mentor this season,” explained White, “but he was a away in Poland working on the Grand Prix for television. But we managed to get him on the phone and Dan had a long chat before his fifth race. Whatever Kelvin said did the trick because Dan came out and won it easily.”

Weymouth’s other representative Tom Brown also put up a decent display although only managing to pick up three third places on the night. Poole Pirate reserve Edward Kennett took the crown ahead of Chris Schramm with Hall back in third. They will now go on to one of the two World Under-21 Championship qualifiers later in the year while Giffard has to wait to see if fifth is good enough for him to be offered a place.
 

WILDCATS CALL UP CANDY FOR TROPHY TESTER
By Paul Baker  Monday 2nd May 2005
WILDCATS are without Lee Smart for today’s Conference Trophy clash with Wimbledon at the Wessex Stadium (4pm). The teenager will be riding for parent club Somerset Rebels in the Premier trophy at Reading this evening. His place in the Weymouth line-up goes to Paul Candy who deputised for the ex-Mildenhall man at Buxton last weekend. Manager Brian White said: “Paul came in and rode well at Buxton and helped us to our first Conference League win of the year. He’s a solid performer at our level and I’m sure he’ll do well again today. He’ll need to be on his guard along with the rest of the side because we’re in for a tough meeting. The Dons are hurting after our two Trevor Hedge Cup wins over them the other week and they’ll coming here looking for revenge. Matches between Weymouth and Wimbledon are always close but I think this one is going to be a cracker because of those two Wildcat wins.”

Home fans will no doubt give a rousing reception to Dan Giffard who turned in a great display in the British Under 21 final at Rye House on Saturday. He finished a highly creditable fifth in the meeting behind champion Edward Kennet, who this season is riding for Weymouth’s Dorset neighbours Poole. Following this afternoon’s main event, a special General Election race will be held with four riders representing hopefuls in the South Dorset seat.

Candidates Jim Knight (Lab), Ed Matts (Con) and Graham Oakes (Lib-Dem) are all expected to be there cheering on their selected rider.
 

FOUR-TUNE FAVOURS ROARING WILDCATS
By Paul Baker  Monday 27 June 2005
WEYMOUTH are the 2005 Conference League Four-Team champions. The Wildcats quartet of David Mason, Dan Giffard, Tom Brown and Lewis Bridger, scooped the coveted title at Stoke on Saturday night. After finishing second in their qualifying pool, Dorset’s fabulous four saw off the challenge of Oxford by a single point in a thrilling final to land the club’s first ever national team trophy.

Delighted boss Brian White said: “Weymouth won a pairs title back in the 1980s and has a few runners-up places to its name. But this is the first time the Wildcats have ever tasted victory in a national team event and I can tell you it feels absolutely fantastic.”

The Wildcats didn’t have it all their own way at Loomer Road and were far from convincing in their semi-final against Oxford, Scunthorpe and reigning champions Mildenhall. Skipper Mason suffered engine problems in both his heats while Brown damaged his wrist in a fall which also saw Mildenhall’s ex-Weymouth star Lee Smart crack a bone in his foot.

But despite these set backs, the Wildcats managed to collect 13 points, thanks mainly to the efforts of Giffard (5) and Bridger (4), which meant they finished one point behind group winners Oxford (14). In the other semi-final Boston (16), who included former Wessex Stadium favourite Nathan Irwin in their line-up, claimed pole position ahead of Armadale (14), Stoke (12) and Wimbledon (5).

The final couldn’t have started any better for Weymouth with Giffard cruising home in the opener, before Bridger extended their advantage with a second place in race two.

However, Oxford were never far behind the Radipole Lane four, and they closed the gap through Chris Mills in heat three with the injured Brown back in third. Mason, who changed bikes during the interval, then took five points from his back-to-back outings and Giffard’s runners-up spot in heat six left the Wildcats needing three points from the last two races to clinch the championship.

They almost did it with a contest to spare when Bridger made the gate in the seventh, but Oxford’s James Courtney overtook the teenager on the final lap to set up a last heat decider. Requiring just a point from that final encounter, Weymouth appeared to have blown their chances when Brown found himself trailing his three rivals at the back early on.

But a dramatic fall by Armadale’s Andrew Tully gave the Welshman a reprieve and he steered clear of trouble in the three-rider re-run to secure the honours for the Wildcats (16). Oxford (15) took the runner-up prize while Armadale (9) claimed third spot and Boston (8) fourth.

White added: “It was hard work in our semi-final especially with David suffering mechanical problems. But we dug deep and did what we had to do and then stepped things up in the final. Tom had been struggling with his wrist following an earlier fall and just didn’t manage to make the gate in that final heat. But he was just mounting a challenge when Tully fell and it was an anxious wait while the referee decided who to exclude from the re-run.

“There was actually never any doubt that Tully would be thrown out but it added to the drama and Tom just played it safe in the re-run and made sure of the point.”

White, who brought speedway back to Weymouth in 2003 following a 20-year absence, admitted shedding a few tears on the team’s victory parade. I was a bit emotional,” he said, “but it’s been a long road back. There’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears along the way but days like these make it all worthwhile. This is the first of what I hope will be many titles to come and I see no reason why the cabinet won’t be overflowing by the end of the season.”
 

CAT ATTACK!
By Paul Baker  Monday 27 June 2005
TOM Brown today tipped Weymouth for more silverware this summer after helping the Wildcats lift the Conference League Four-team Championship at Stoke. And the Welsh Wizard revealed how he rode through the pain barrier to secure the club’s first ever national team title in a last-heat decider at Loomer Road. Having made it through their qualifying round, the Weymouth quartet of Brown, David Mason, Lewis Bridger and Dan Giffard needing just a point for victory going into the last race of the final against Oxford Silver Dream Academy, Armadale Dale Devils and Boston Barracuda Braves.

Things looked ominous for the Wildcats after Brown failed to make the gate and was left trailing at the back. However, a fall saw Devils star Andrew Tully excluded leaving Brown to cruise round in the three-rider re-run. He explained: “I had a crash with Mildenhall’s Lee Smart in the semi- final and I was in agony with my right wrist. I’ve suffered a lot over the years with my tendons and I seemed to aggravate them again. The other three boys had to carry me a bit after that because I was really struggling and just couldn’t grip the handlebars or use my throttle with any menace. Throughout the final I could see what was going to happen in terms of a last-heat decider and so I just had to get my head down and ride through the pain. I didn’t make the gate although I was challenging Andrew Tully when he fell and I was just glad to see him excluded and not me. I wasn’t going to take any risks in the re-run and so I just made sure I stayed on and collected the point we needed for victory.”

He added: “It was a great meeting for us and I’m just delighted to be part of the winning four. Speedway is all about having four strong riders and ours are probably the best in the Conference League. This title is great for the club but I think it’s just the start. I don’t see any reason why we can’t add the league championship and at least one of the cups to that tally. I can even see someone like David Mason or Dan Giffard winning the Conference League Individual Riders’ title at Rye House later in the summer. Certainly this victory will work wonders for our confidence and it’s great to reward our manager Brian White, vice chairman Phil Bartlett and all the fans for their backing and support.”
 

FABULOUS FOUR
By Paul Baker  Saturday 25 June 2005
WEYMOUTH will be among the favourites to lift the Conference League Fours title at Stoke tonight. The Wildcats send a strong quartet to Loomer Road in search of one of speedway’s most coveted awards. Leading the Dorset outfit is skipper David Mason at number one, with World Under-21 quarter-finalist Dan Giffard at two. Welsh wizard Tom Brown wears the number three jacket with teenage sensation Lewis Bridger completing the line-up.

Boss Brian White said: “On paper we’ve got one of the strongest teams at Stoke with four riders who have consistently been banging in double figure scores this season. I must admit I’ll be travelling up there with plenty of confidence although it’s all about who wants it most on the day. The Conference League Fours is one of the biggest meetings of the summer and one that I would love to win and I feel we have every chance of doing just that.”

Despite his confidence, White admits the draw has done his side no favours. The Wildcats have been placed in the toughest semi-final alongside Mildenhall, Oxford and Scunthorpe, while the other qualifier features Wimbledon, Armadale, Boston and Stoke. He added: “It’s a tough draw with all three of our opponents expected to track very good fours. But to win the trophy we’ve got to beat the likes of Mildenhall and Oxford at some stage and so it might as well be in the semi-finals.”

The format will feature two eight-heat semis with the top two teams going through to the final. That will also be decided over eight heats, followed by a run-off in the event of a draw.
 

HORTON TO SIGN
By Paul Baker Saturday  25 June 2005
WILDCATS hopes of landing a Conference treble this season will be further boosted by a new signing this week. Boss Brian White admits he’s close to finalising a deal to bring James Horton to the Wessex Stadium. The grade six Peterborough asset is expected to put pen to paper at the weekend although fans at Radipole Lane will have to wait to see the 20-year-old in action.

“James has been riding for Boston most recently,” explained White, “but is currently sidelined after tearing tendons in his wrist. He’s been told his chances will be limited there once he’s fit again and so he’s keen to find another club. I’ve had a chat with him and the management at Boston, Mildenhall, where he started the summer, and parent club Peterborough and they’re all happy about a move to Weymouth. There’s still a few things to sort out but hopefully he’ll be a Wildcat within a few days. It’s going to be about three or four weeks before he can race but I’m sure he’ll prove a valuable asset. We’re still going strong in all three Conference competitions – the league trophy and knockout cup – and now is the right time to be strengthening the squad.”

Horton, son of Peterborough owner Mick, was part of the Panthers’ development side the Pumas that won the Conference League title in 2002. He also had a short spell at Trelawny two seasons ago although it’s the Slough-born youngster’s infamous off track activities that have earned him the most headlines. After turning out for the Pumas against Mildenhall in September 2003, a drug test revealed traces of marijuana in Horton’s blood stream. He was subsequently fined £500 and banned for 12 months by the Speedway Control Board with the suspension ending last October. “James has put all that well and truly behind him,” added White, “and his mind’s focused on speedway and nothing else. He’s a decent rider who is capable of scoring good points at this level and hopefully we’ll get him on board.”

Weymouth have been forced to make a number of changes to their August fixture programme. The first new date for fans’ diaries is Sunday, August 7 which is when they now travel to reigning champions Mildenhall in the Conference League.

The Wildcats’ longest league trip of the season to Armadale in Scotland will now be made on Saturday, August 13 followed the next day with an appearance at Scunthorpe, also in the Conference League. Meanwhile the league visit of Rye House to the Wessex Stadium, which was postponed last week, is now scheduled for Friday, September 16.
 
 

HANDS OFF LEWIS
Wildcats to fight Conference League ruling
By Paul Baker Monday 20 June 2005
WILDCATS sensation Lewis Bridger is about to become the victim of his own success. Conference League officials will next month order the brilliant teenage reserve to move up to the main body of the Weymouth team. At the moment, Bridger rides at reserve, which means he’s allowed to replace any of his team mates at any time during a meeting. However, a switch to the top five will prevent that and limit the youngster’s opportunities.

The 15-year-old, who currently operates on a grade two rating for inexperienced riders and newcomers, has set the speedway world alight with some magnificent double figure scores since arriving at the Wessex Stadium at the start of this season. And it was those performances that earned him a demonstration spin before the British Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium earlier this month, where his winning time was only 0.3 seconds slower than a heat during the main event.

Weymouth boss Brian White is furious at the Conference League’s plans and intends to fight the decision ‘all the way’. He told Echosport today: “I’ve had a call from the Conference League to say that Lewis has to move up to the top five of the team from July 1 and I’m not happy about it. It’s something I intend to fight all the way because I don’t think it’s fair. Lewis is 15-years-old and in his first season of competitive speedway. Just because he’s very good he shouldn’t be penalised for that. Riding at reserve means he gets extra rides as a replacement and that can only be good for his development. The Conference League is supposed to be about blooding youngsters and giving them the experience they need and that’s exactly what Lewis is getting at number six. Moving him into the top five won’t do him any good whatsoever and that’s what I’ll be telling the Conference League rule makers. They didn’t do it to people like Lee Smart and Jack Gledhill when they were scoring big points at reserve, so why do it to Lewis?”

White added: “In Lewis Bridger we have a lad who has the ability and potential to become a world champion one day and now they want to halt his progress. His average means he’ll have to move up for certain next season so why can’t they leave him be this summer and let him get all the experience he can under his belt.” Bridger clocked another double figure return in the Wildcats 49-43 Conference Trophy defeat at Mildenhall yesterday.
 

WILDCATS FEEL THE HEAT AS TIGERS END WINNING RUN
MILDENHALL FEN TIGERS 49 WEYMOUTH WILDCATS 43
WEYMOUTH boss Brian White remains confident of Conference Trophy success this season despite his side suffering a rare defeat against Mildenhall yesterday. In temperatures topping the 35-degree mark at West Row, the Carpets Galore Wildcats went down 49-43 to last year’s winners. The reversal ended the Dorset side’s ten meeting unbeaten run in all competitions although the manager was happy with the performance of most of his riders.

He said: “It’s disappointing to lose but I’d rather suffer these sort of results in the trophy than the league. Having said that, the trophy is still one of our major targets this summer. Looking at our remaining group matches, I reckon we need to beat both Boston and Mildenhall at home to make the semi-finals, so there’s everything to play for. Unfortunately Paul Candy and Adam Filmer continue to struggle at number two and reserve with neither scoring a point. Their form is becoming a bit of a worry and it’s something we’ve got to look at.”

Wildcats got their challenge off to a cracking start with skipper David Mason beating his Fen Tigers counterpart Jon Armstrong in the opener. And the visitors would have held an early advantage had Lewis Bridger not touched the tapes on start line in heat two. As punishment, the 15-year-old was forced to start 15 metres back but still managed to take second place behind Andrew Bargh.

Tom Brown and Jack Gledhill pulled Weymouth level with a 4-2 in the third but the hosts, who included former Wildcats Lee Smart and Chris Johnson in their line-up, just about held the edge, building an 43-35 lead going into the penultimate contest. That opened the way for a Wildcats double points tactical substitution with Dan Giffard taking the ride with a 15-metre handicap. And the Great Britain Under-21 international almost pulled off the result of the meeting, passing Bridger and Smart before crossing the line less than an inch behind Bargh.

The Wildcats then claimed a 4-2 success in the last through Mason and Brown which gives them every chance of picking up the aggregate bonus point when the Fen Tigers visit the Wessex Stadium next month. White added: “The heat was unbearable and I’ve got to congratulate all the riders for coping so well in difficult conditions. Mildenhall is never an easy place to go to but we worked hard and have put ourselves in good shape to take the bonus point.”
 

HARDING RAIDS THE ROSEBOWL
By David Swain Saturday 18 June 2005
AUSSIE raider Trevor Harding made a last-minute dash to Weymouth to steal the Wildcats individual championship from home favourite Dan Giffard in last night’s Wessex Rosebowl speedway action. The Boston Braves rider coasted home in a run-off after he and Giffard tied with 15 points from their five rides on an eventful night at the Wessex Stadium.

“I didn’t really need that run-off,” said Harding, who was making his first ever appearance on the Weymouth track. “I was at King’s Lynn on Wednesday and went over to ride at Sheffield on Thursday so when I got a call at 11.30 this morning I uumed and aahed a bit before deciding to come because I was pretty shattered. “But my brother Daniel rode a couple of times at Weymouth last year and they have always done well by us so I decided to do something for them in return. Now I’m pretty glad I did, but right now I think my energy levels are in the minuses because it was tough out there. Full credit to Dan Giffard who really rode well tonight and to beat him in a run-off was something special.”

It was a night for spills at the Wessex, only three races were completed in one hour in mid-meeting. Wildcats’ Tom Brown was the most serious casualty, suffering a suspected broken bone in his wrist when he slammed into the safety fence in a re-run Heat 8 while desperately trying to halt Harding’s progress.

But after prolonged treatment he was able to walk back to the pits and showed his courage by winning from the tapes on his next ride before finishing off with a second behind Giffard to take the third place trophy with ten points.

With Harding and Giffard neck and neck and not scheduled to race against each other, Wildcats skipper David Mason might have ensured the trophy stayed in Weymouth when he came up against Harding in a crucial heat ten. But although he got away first on the inside, the current Western Australian State champion who was ranked 108th in the world last year, squeezed past him from the outside berth and never looked like being caught.

Giffard beat three of the Wildcats other leading riders in Heat 14 to put the pressure on Harding and the Aussie then responded in Heat 15 by shaking off Gledhill’s challenge to win by 20 yards and set up the run-off. Harding won the toss to take the inside track for the head-to-head showdown and swept away from the tapes to score a comprehensive victory.
 

WILDCATS REACH SECOND SUMMIT
By David Swain Monday 13 June 2005
WIMBLEDON DONS 42 WEYMOUTH WILDCATS 48
WEYMOUTH overcame mechanical gremlins and a sickness bug to claim a double top at Wimbledon yesterday. A hard fought win and a bonus point took them to the top of the Conference Trophy table - match-ing their Friday night success in going to the Conference League summit after overwhelming a poor Sittingbourne outfit. Dons provided a much sterner test and with skipper David Mason and Dan Giffard both struggling to overcome illness, the Wildcats looked to be in for a tough time when Paul Candy blew his engine warming up in the pits before the start.

He was forced to borrow a bike from 13-year-old George Piper and failed to score. "We had a lot of luck go against us but the lads fought hard to earn a very good win," said Wildcats boss Brian White. "Apart from the two lads who were ill, Lewis Bridger was also pretty shattered after riding at the British Grand Prix at Cardiff the night before. But he rode superbly again to top score with 14 and considering Dan Giffard was physically sick during the interval his score of 13 plus one was astonishing."

After sharing the first two heats at Plough Lane, Wildcats went ahead in heat three with a 5-1 from Tom Brown and Jack Gledhill. In heat four Giffard pulled off a fantastic pass on Dons Buzz Burrows to share the points and maintain Wildcats three point lead in the first of a quartet of successive 3-3 scores.

The lead was cut to two points when Candy fell in heat eight and Bridger was beaten into second place by Danny Betson, but a 5-1 in the next heat opened the gap again. White switched reserves with Bridger called up to ride in place of Adam Filmer and he raced to his second victory of the night. Two draw heats followed before Dons got their only 5-1 of the meeting in heat 12 after Brown fell while in the lead.

Another 3-3 followed by a 4-2 win for Wildcats in heat 14 left the visitors four points up going into the nominated last race with Giffard getting the better of Dons top scorer Burrows and Bridger finishing third to secure a six point win.
 

BRIDGER: IT'S MENTAL AT THE MILLENIUM
By David Swain Monday 13 June 2005
TEENAGE track star Lewis Bridger used one word to sum up his feelings after winning in front of 45,000 speedway fans at the Millennium Stadium: "Mental" The 15-year-old Weymouth Wildcats rider scorched round the track at Cardiff on Saturday in 60 seconds dead-just 0.3 of a second slower than the winning time recorded by the world's top stars in one of their heats in the British Speedway Grand Prix that followed Bridger's demonstration race.

"It was a fantastic feeling," said Bridger. "I normally ride in front of a few hundred spectators and to be out there in front of 45,000 was mental. But I wasn't that nervous and made a good start. I got off in front and held off Josh Auty and Ben Taylor who are the top two in the British Under-15 team to win and I was very pleased with my time. David Norris, who was taking part in the Grand Prix, stood next to me when we were waiting to go out and gave me a few tips. He helps me out and he thought I did very well too. "It has definitely given me a taste for the big time - although I know there is a long way to go yet. But my aim is to be taking part in the Grand Prix proper in four years' time.”

Things didn't go so well for George Piper, Wildcats 13-year-old mascot and the son of the team's training advisor Steve Piper, who also took part in one of the demonstration races before the big event. He made a good start and was in second place on the second lap when his bike broke down. "He was going well when a box lead became detached and he came to a stop," said Bridger. "It was bad luck on him."
 

HIGH-FLYING CATS
Wildcats go top with big win on farcical race night after Bridger flies in
By Paul Baker Saturday 11 June 2005
WILDCATS 66 SITTINGBOURNE 20
WEYMOUTH moved to the top of the Conference League with a thumping victory over a shambolic Sittingbourne side at the Wessex Stadium last night. The Wildcats massive 66-20 success, coupled with a 55-39 win in Kent last month, takes them two points clear of their title rivals Wimbledon, Oxford and Boston at the top of the table. But while the scoreline might have been impressive, this one-sided mis-match made a mockery of the word racing and will have done nothing to tempt first speedway goers back to Radipole Lane this summer.

The evening began in spectacular fashion with home reserve Lewis Bridger arriving on the centre green by helicopter having spent the afternoon practising at the Millennium Stadium ahead of today's British Grand Prix. However, that was about all that did go according to plan on what was a frustrating evening for Weymouth boss Brian White.

First he was forced to delay the action by 45 minutes after his Sittingbourne counterpart Sean Wilkinson called to say he had been held up in traffic en route. He also reported that visiting reserves James Humby and Dan Blake were unavailable and wouldn't be arriving at all. The late start actually proved a blessing in disguise as a last-minute electrical malfunction left referee Robbie Perks unable to operate any of his lights and sirens which could have led to a complete abandonment.

Fortunately the fault was quickly repaired although a fault with the automatic tapes couldn't be rectified which meant all heats had to be started manually And when racing finally did get underway, Crusaders were soon down to just three fit riders after both Nick Simmons and Wayne Parker were forced to withdraw through injury after taking heavy falls.

The upshot of all this left Wilkinson unable to send any riders to post for three of the 15 heats, while he could only saddle one on two other occasions. Inevitably, it turned into an absolute farce with the Wildcats chalking up 13 heats advantages with four of their riders remaining unbeaten by an opponent.

A disappointed White said: "We should be over the moon having gone top of the table but everyone's on a bit of downer. We take no pleasure in winning like that and I can only apologise to our supporters. I feel sorry for Sittingbourne but you can only describe them as a shambles. They turn up late with five riders and then two get injured but what can we do about that? We've shown our commitment flying one of our lads in by helicopter and all we can do is to go out there and ride against what's put front of us."

Despite the lack of meaningful racing, Wildcats number four Jack Gledhill can be pleased with efforts, which saw him collect a fine 14+1 paid maximum. Skipper David Mason banked an identical total while Dan Giffard notched four wins out of four on his way to a 12-point haul. Bridger warmed up for his big date in Cardiff with 9+3 while Paul Candy finally found some form number two with 7+1. For the bottom of the table Crusaders, who in fairness to them kept battling until the final chequered flag, Ricky Scarboro top scored with 10 while Chris Hunt picked up 6+2.
 

BIG NIGHT AHEAD FOR LEWIS AND GEORGE
By Paul Baker Saturday 11 June 2005
WEYMOUTH Wildcats' 13-year-old speedway mascot George Piper has paid tribute to his dad Steve ahead of his chance of a lifetime appearance on the same bill as the world's top stars at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff tonight. "Dad has been brilliant working very hard to get everything right and making sure the bikes run well," said Piper who will be joined in a demonstration race that precedes the 2005 British Speedway Grand Prix by Wildcats' 15-year-old reserve rider Lewis Bridger and six other young British hopefuls. "He has rebuilt my second bike so we are now back up to two bikes which is a great help looking ahead to the under-15 Championship," said Piper. "I can't wait for tonight, I'm really excited about it, this is the biggest moment so far in my speedway career."

As well as being his son's mechanic and adviser, Steve Piper is Wildcats' training officer. Piper and Bridger had their flrst taste of the Cardiff track in the juniors' practice session last night after the World Championship contenders had the chance to test their machines and make changes prior to tonight's big show down. Wildcats fans going to Cardiff for the speedway event of the year should make sure they arrive early as the junior demonstration races will be starting at around 5.15pm. The circuit has been specially laid in just a few days for the biggest names in the sport to do battle. Once the meeting is over and the thousands of supporters are on their way home the track is ripped up for another year!
 

WILDCATS AIMING TO GO TOP
By Paul Baker   Friday 10 June 2005
WILDCATS are aiming to go top of the Conference League when they entertain basement boys Sittingbourne at the Wessex Stadium tonight. Victory over the Crusaders will see Weymouth climb into pole position above title rivals Wimbledon, Oxford and Boston. Brian White’s men hammered their opponents 55-39 in Kent last month and so as well as two points for a win, the Wildcats will also pick up a bonus for an aggregate success.

On paper, it should be one-way traffic at Radipole Lane this evening, but the team manager is refusing to take anything for granted. He said: “It would be a major upset if Sittingbourne beat us and I say that with the greatest respect to them. They are struggling somewhat down at the bottom and so it should be pretty straightforward for us. But strange things happen in speedway and so we’re certainly not taking anything for granted. Sittingbourne will be desperate to get their season going tonight and what better way for them than to beat one of the title favourites. We’ll be approaching this meeting like we would any other and treating our opponents with the greatest respect.”

While Weymouth’s unbeaten home run this season is unlikely to be threatened this evening, White reckons there’s still room for improvement. In particular he’ll be looking to Paul Candy to improve on his recent disappointing form. “If we win, we go top of the table and that will be fantastic,” added the boss. “However, it’s one thing getting there and another staying there. If we’re going to win the championship, and I believe we’ve got the potential to do it, then everyone needs to keep on improving. One rider I hope to say step up to the mark is Paul Candy. He’s been very disappointing since coming in to replace Lee Smart and he knows he’s under pressure. What’s frustrating is that he and I both know he can do it and it’s now a case of getting his head right and doing it.”

He added: “Over recent weeks the team has been held together by three or four riders but there’ll come a time when one or more of them has a bad meeting. That’s when we’re going to need contributions from the others and it’s important they are ready when the time comes.”
 

LEWIS FLIES IN
By Paul Baker Friday 10 June 2005
LEWIS Bridger will be flying at the Wessex Stadium tonight, and not just on two wheels. The Wildcats 15-year-old reserve is due to arrive on the centre green at Radipole Lane by helicopter. Bridger, who is touted as a future world champion by speedway pundits, is having a practice session at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium this afternoon ahead tomorrow’s mouth-watering British Grand Prix. The Weymouth teenager and club mascot George Piper are two of eight youngsters who have been invited to take part in some demonstration heats ahead of the main event in the Welsh capital.

Practise ends at 6pm this evening after which Bridger will hop on to a chopper for a 40-minute flight, which will see him arrive in the resort in time for the Wildcats Conference League clash with Sittingbourne which gets underway at 7.30pm.

Weymouth boss Brian White explained: “All eight of the young riders taking part in the demonstration at Cardiff tomorrow have been asked to attend practise up there today. Fortunately one of Lewis’ relatives owns and flies a helicopter and so has offered to get him back to the Wessex Stadium in time for racing.

“We have permission to land the helicopter on the centre green and it should be quite a spectacle. “Most teenagers would be really excited about it all, but knowing how calm and cool Lewis is, he’ll probably take it all in his stride. I expect he’ll climb out of the chopper, get on his bike and go out and win his first race without any fuss because that’s the sort of lad he is.”
 

BRAVES SWOOP TO DENY WILDCATS
By Paul Baker Thursday 09 June 2005
CONFERENCE League rivals Boston have ended Weymouth’s hopes of signing Adam Roynon. The Barracuda Braves today snapped up the 16-year-old who was released by treble winners Mildenhall last week. Wildcats boss Brian White had enquired about bringing the Great Britain Under-21 star to the Wessex Stadium although he admits it was always a long shot. Adam became available, said White, and I made a tentative enquiry. He’s a decent prospect who has ridden well down at the Wessex Stadium and so it seemed sensible to give him a call.

The stumbling block is that he’s based up in Barrow-in-Furness and so that was always going to be against us. In the end he’s chosen a club closer to home and I certainly don’t blame him. As I’ve said, it was just a very casual enquiry and a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Meanwhile the Wildcats still have a few tickets available for Saturday’s British Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. A coach will be leaving Radipole Lane at 11.30am and anyone interested in travelling is asked to get in touch as soon as possible. White said: It promises to be a great day and we’ll be there in plenty of time to watch our two boys George Piper and Lewis Bridger ride in the youth demonstration races at 5.30pm. Anyone wanting to come can call me or pop into the club shop during tomorrow’s night’s meeting against Sitting-bourne. Brian White can be contacted on 07793838787.
 

NO PLACE LIKE HOME
By Paul Baker Friday 03 June 2005
WILDCATS will be out to maintain an impressive unbeaten home record when they kick off their Conference Knock Out Cup campaign at the Wessex Stadium tonight (7.30pm). Monday's league victory over Oxford made it seven wins out of seven so far this season and manager Brian White is desperate to make it eight.

Standing in Weymouth's way are the Buxton Hitmen, who have already felt the force of the Wildcats already this summer. That was in a league clash at Dale Head Lane last month, a meeting Brian White's side won 49-40.

But while the hosts are red hot favourites for this evening's second round, first leg tie, the team boss has warned his riders against complacency. He said: "We have been outstanding at home this year but that's not to say we only have to turn up to win. Beating leaders Oxford by a single point on Monday was a terrific result but it also proved that we can be pushed all the way on own turf.

"Obviously Oxford are one of the strongest sides around but there are plenty of teams who would fancy being the first to win at the Wessex this season and so we can't afford to drop our guard for one minute. Buxton will be coming here looking to avenge the result up at their place and so we're going to be in for hard night's work."

He added: "The Knock Out Cup is a competition we want to win at Weymouth, and one I think we're capable of winning. But it's we have to take it one step at a time and tonight's all about winning the tie and building a decent size lead to take to Buxton for the second leg."

Meanwhile White today hit back at critics who slammed the state of the Radipole Lane circuit following the win over Oxford. After seeing two of his riders come off between the third and fourth turns in heat, Silver Dream Academy manager Bryn Williams said: "From the start of the meeting there were huge holes on the third bend that the riders could see and were avoiding. "But then ruts began to develop during the meeting around the bend. The track is an absolute disgrace and I will be writing to the Speedway Control Board about it."

White told Echosport: "It's worth remembering that Oxford were 30-24 up at the time and, as a result of both their riders falling, we gained a 5-0 heat success which helped us win the match. Referee Barry Richardson came down to inspect the track after the falls and he didn't feel there was anything wrong with. He said he'd seen much, much worse and just told the riders to get on with it. You only had to watch Lewis Bridger in the re-run of heat 10. He's 15 years old and in his first season riding in the Conference and yet he seemed to get round the third and fourth bends at speed okay, so perhaps some of it was in the riders' head."
 

GRAND PRIX PRIX DREAM COMES FOR WEYMOUTH YOUNGSTERS
By Paul Baker Thursday 02 June 2005
TWO teenage Weymouth riders are preparing to live out their speedway dream. Wildcats reserve Lewis Bridger, who is just 15, and mascot George Piper, 13, will ride in front of 60,000 people ahead of the British Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on June 11. The pair are two of eight riders invited to contest a number of demonstration heats to highlight the country's growing crop of talented youngsters.

Weymouth boss Brian White said: "It's a great honour for both the club and the two boys and I know they are over the moon about it. Just being at Cardiff for the Grand Prix is amazing, but riding there will be something else. When it comes to choosing eight of the top youngsters in Britain then Lewis and George were always going to be up there with the best. Lewis has made an incredible start to his Conference League career with a number of double-figure returns already, and I'm sure George will do the same once he reaches 15."

George, who lives in Sturminster Newton and is currently lying third in the Great Britain Under-15 Championship, told Echosport: "I'm so excited at the prospect of riding in Cardiff and it really is a dream come true. My ambition in speedway is to one day take part in the Grand Prix series and so this will be a wonderful experience. "To think I'm going to be riding in front of a crowd of more than 60,000 people is quite unbelievable." He added: "The world's very best riders such as reigning champion Jason Crump, Tony Rickardsson and Nicki Pedersen will all be there and it's going to be great to rub shoulders with them in the pits."

Having joined the Wildcats as their official mascot two years ago, George has progressed from a few wobbly laps before Conference League meetings to one of the hottest young properties in speedway.

Much of his success is down to father Steve who, aside from being his son's mechanic and adviser, is also Weymouth's training officer. "I'm obviously very proud of George," said Steve. "Any father would be. But he's had to work hard for this opportunity and so he deserves his moment in the spotlight. There are some fantastic youngsters in the sport at the moment and many of them have learned their trade at Weymouth's winter training schools. Riders like George, Lewis Bridger and Matt Bates have great futures in front of them and the club must given credit for helping them and others along the way. Riding at the Millennium Stadium will be a great occasion and I think I'm as excited as George is, if not more so."

While Steve is confident that George will ride professionally in the future, one Wildcats fan is so certain, he has put his money where his mouth is. Steve added: "One of the regulars down at the Wessex Stadium has actually put a bet on George becoming World Under-21 champion in the future. "That sort of thing shows great faith in the lad and I was quite taken aback when he told me."
 

WASH-OUT IN WALES
By Paul Baker Sunday 31 July 2005
WEYMOUTH suffered a frustrating afternoon when they travelled to South Wales to face Newport yesterday. The Carpets Galore Wildcats’ Conference League clash with the Mavericks at the Hayley Stadium was abandoned after just six heats because of heavy rain. The early adjournment means the result doesn’t stand, with the Dorset side now having to return across the Seven Bridge for a second time, later in the season.

But in some ways that might be a blessing for Brian White’s team who were trailing 19-17 when referee Rob Smith called a halt to proceedings. The visitors got off to a dreadful start and were 10-2  down after the opening two races. First Karlis Ezergalis and Karl Mason produced a 5-1 maximum for the hosts, followed in the next by Sam Hurst and Billy Legg.

Weymouth then hit back when ex-Maverick Tom Brown and Lewis Bridger claimed a full house in the third before Dan Giffard took the chequered flag in a shared heat four. Race five saw former Wildcat Danny Warwick hold off visiting duo David Mason and Danny Hughes in a drawn encounter, with Giffard and Jack Gledhill picking up a 4-2 for the Dorset outfit in the next. But that was to prove the last race of the meeting with heavy rain now making track conditions impossible in terms of safety.

A disappointed White said: “It’s frustrating to have gone all the way up there only for the meeting to be called off. We didn’t get the best of starts, admittedly, but I’m confident we would have gone on to win it over 15 heats. Unfortunately the rain intervened and that was that and so we’ll now have to go back to Wales and do it all again. Before our meeting, Newport’s Premier League side raced against Sheffield and there was no problems with the weather for that one. It’s a shame, especially because we had a lot of fans who came up from Weymouth and it’s those people I feel really sorry for.”

Dan Giffard has committed to the Wildcats for the rest of the season despite an approach from Premier League Hull Vikings. The Humberside team are believed to be interested in signing Weymouth’s leading point scorer at reserve. Manager Brian White said: “Dan is in great form and should be riding in the Premier League without question. Hull are interested but I have spoken to Dan who has assured me that Weymouth remains his priority this season, even if he is offered a run at the higher level. He’s also expressed a desire to come back next year and that will be possible as long as his Premier League average doesn’t top 4.50. Basically I don’t foresee any problems.”
 

WILDCATS WITHIN A WHISKER OF THE SUMMIT
By Paul Baker  Saturday 30 July 2005
 WILDCATS 51 MILDENHALL FEN TIGERS 40
WILDCATS roared to within striking distance of Conference League leaders Wimbledon with a champion-like display against Mildenhall at the Wessex Stadium last night. Their 51-40 success over the current title holders leaves them just two points behind the Dons with three meetings in hand. On an evening of high drama at Radipole Lane, it was big hitters Dan Giffard and skipper David Mason who inflicted the bulk of the damage on the Fen Tigers.

The irresistible Giffard nailed yet another 15 point maximum while Mason (13 paid 15) remained unbeaten by an opponent throughout a thrilling 15 heats of Division Three racing. Delighted co-chairman Phil Bartlett said: "That was a massive win for us against one of the best sides in the league and it puts in a really strong position in the league. It was action all the way between two very committed sides and you won’t see better racing than that in any division of the sport."

Mason and Danny Hughes got the Wildcats off to a fine start with a 4-2 in the opener, but it was all square following the second after Andrew Bargh and James Purchase returned the complement for the Fen Tigers. Heat three was a keenly contested affair with Tom Brown winning it for the hosts ahead of ex-Weymouth stars Mark Thompson and Chris Johnson. Race four began badly for Wildcats after Lewis Dallaway was excluded for a tapes offence, but ended perfectly as his reserve replacement Jack Gledhill followed Giffard over the line for a 5-1 maximum. Captain Armstrong took the chequered flag for Mildenhall in a shared heat five and it was his counterpart Mason who did likewise in the sixth.

The brilliant Giffard then completed a hat trick of drawn encounters in race seven, before the visitors closed the overall gap to two points in a long-winded heat eight. First Dallaway failed to beat the two minutes for a second time with Gledhill again stepping in. Then Kiwi Bargh smashed through the tapes and was forced to go off a 15-metre handicap. When racing finally commenced it was Purchase who cruised to victory in front of Gledhill, while Bargh did superbly to catch Hughes on the line.

A stunning four laps of flat out speedway followed in heat nine, with this time Bridger collecting the spoils ahead of Fen Tigers’ pair Smart and Bargh. Wildcats restored their earlier four point advantage with a Mason\Hughes 4-2 in race ten, although it came courtesy of Johnson's high speed crash when holding second spot coming out of lap three.

Tapes to flag wins for Giffard and Bridger followed as heats 11 and 12 were shared, but it was race 13 that proved both lucky and decisive for the Wildcats. Up against Mildenhall's top two Armstrong and Smart, Giffard and Mason left their opponents standing to return a scorching 5-1. That put the hosts 43-35 to the good going into the penultimate encounter, in which Fen Tigers boss Mick Horton sent out his skipper as a double points tactical substitute off 15 metres.

And while Armstrong did well to chase down Gledhill for third, Brown hung on to claim the win to put Weymouth in an unassailable 46-39 lead. That made the final clash irrelevant in terms of the result, but another Giffard and Mason maximum did their chances of earning the aggregate bonus in the return fixture next weekend, no harm whatsoever. Manager Brian White has named an unchanged Wildcats side for tomorrow’s Conference League trip to Newport Mavericks.
 

WILDCATS AIM TO CATCH THE DONS
By Paul Baker  Friday 29 July 2005
WEYMOUTH will be out to close the gap on Conference League leaders Wimbledon at the Wessex Stadium tonight (7.30pm). Victory over Mildenhall Fen Tigers would see the second place Carpets Galore Wildcats move to within two points of the Dons with three meetings in hand. And that would keep Brian White’s men on target for a magnificent treble of league, Trophy and Knock Out Cup glory. “Mildenhall won the treble last season,” explained White, “and tonight should show us whether we’re good enough to do the same. We’re in the semi-finals of both the Conference Trophy and Knock Out Cup competitions, but the league is the one that really counts. The Fen Tigers aren’t quite the force they were in 2004, but they are still a very good speedway team. We beat them 56-37 in the Trophy a few weeks ago but I would certainly take nothing for granted against them. Certainly we are good enough to beat them home or away, but they are not the sort of side you can relax against because they’ll soon take advantage if you do.”

Wildcats hopes of success this evening are boosted by the return of Tom Brown from injury. The Welshman has been out of action with a wrist injury but has been passed fit to reclaim his number three race jacket. Brown said: “I’ve had a couple of weeks rest and I feel really good. The wrist is a lot better than it has been for a while and I’m now just looking forward to getting back racing again.”

With Brown back, White has opted to leave Paul Candy out of the starting seven, despite some recent improved performances. That means new signing Danny Hughes gets another chance to impress, partnering David Mason at the top of the order. “Paul’s done really well over the past couple of weeks,” added White, “and can consider himself a little unlucky. However, we brought Danny in for a reason and he’s just beginning to show his true colours again after a long time out of the sport. But Paul’s chance will come again. The injury to Tom has demonstrated how important it is to have a strong squad, especially when you are chasing three different trophies.”

Mildenhall will be led by the brilliant Jon Armstrong tonight with ex-Wildcat Lee Smart also available to do battle after being released by Premier League parent club, Somerset Rebels.
 

BROWN FIT TO JOIN WILDCATS TITLE BID
By Paul Baker
WEYMOUTH have received a timely boost ahead of their big Conference League clash with Mildenhall at the Wessex Stadium on Friday. Tom Brown has declared himself fit and will take his place at number four in the title-chasing Wildcats' line-up. The flying Welshman had been expected to miss the meeting after having his right wrist put in plaster a fortnight ago. But after sitting out last week's Knock Out Cup quarter final victory over Buxton, Brown has told team manager Brian White he's available for duty.

"It's great news," admitted White, "and just the sort of boost we needed ahead of the visit of Mildenhall. Tom has had trouble with his wrist for a long time now. It's an old tendon and scaphoid injury, but it looks like the rest has done him the world of good. Up until a couple of weeks ago he'd been riding a couple of heats, then getting treatment from the track paramedics, and then going out and racing a couple more. That was all very well but he just wasn't giving himself time to recover fully. When he finally got the injury checked out at hospital they told him to take a complete break and put a cast on to make sure he did just that. It seems to have done the trick - because he's now raring to go again and it will be good to welcome him back into the side. It's a big meeting for us against one of the best sides in the league and we're going to need to be at full strength to beat them. It's been a while since we've been in league action and so it's important we get going again with a win to keep right up there in the championship chase."
 

WILDCATS BOOK SEMI-FINAL PLACE IN KNOCK-OUT-CUP
By Paul Baker  Saturday 23 July 2005
WILDCATS 55 BUXTON HITMEN 40
WILDCATS marched into the semi-finals of the Conference Knock-Out Cup with a comfortable victory over Buxton at the Wessex Stadium last night. Dan Giffard (15) and Lewis Bridger (14 paid 15) were Weymouth’s heroes in a 55-40 success, which was achieved without the services of injured star Tom Brown. But while the win was never in doubt, the aggregate triumph proved a nip and tuck affair, which came down to a last-heat decider.

Having lost the first leg in Derbyshire 51-43, the Wildcats weren’t assured of progressing in the competition until Giffard and Bridger collected a 5-1 in a decisive heat 15. Team boss Brian White said: “I thought it would be hard without Tom and so it proved. Buxton were with us all the way on aggregate and there’s was some good racing out there. Getting through to the next round is fantastic and it keeps alive our Conference treble dreams.”

The night began badly for the Wildcats with Jonathan Bethell taking the opener for the Hitmen and team-mate Carl Belfield clung on for third. However, the hosts hit straight back with a 4-2 success of their own in the next, courtesy of Jack Gledhill and Lewis Dallaway. Heat three was a long drawn out affair after Weymouth’s Danny Hughes fell foul of the two minute time allowance and his replacement Gledhill was excluded following a first bend tumble. But when the race was finally run it was Bridger who won it in a super quick time of 54.3 seconds.

The Wildcats notched their second victory when Giffard and Dallaway were split by Belfield in the fourth, while the brilliant Bridger took the chequered flag in a shared race five. Heat six saw Mason and Candy nail another 4-2, and the Wildcats reduced the overall deficit again when Giffard and Gledhill made the most of Wright’s exclusion in the seventh after he lost control and smashed into the fence on the home straight.

After a drawn heat eight, the home side went ahead on aggregate following a 5-1 in race nine, which came about thanks to a fine piece of team riding from Bridger and Hughes. Buxton then threw Felton in as a double tactical ride in heat ten, but he was denied maximum points by Mason in what was a shared 4-4 encounter.

The Hitmen were at it again with Bethell this time wearing the tactical helmet, but he too was relegated to second by Giffard although the visitors took the race 5-3. That made the aggregate scores level at 82-82, but the Wildcats sneaked in front again with a 4-2 from Bridger and Dallaway in heat 12. Weymouth made certain of  victory on the night when Giffard and Mason blasted from the tapes to land a full house in the next, but back came the Hitmen with a 5-2 in the penultimate contest, in which Belfield’s third place points were doubled after he came off a tactical 15-metre handicap.

That left the hosts needing two points from heat 15 to take the tie, and it was hot-shots Giffard and Bridger who did it with plenty to spare to make it 55-40 on the night, 98-91 on aggregate.
 

CANDY TIME AGAIN
By Paul Baker  Friday 22nd July 2005
PAUL Candy will tonight be handed another chance to cement a permanent Wildcats team place. The 25-year-old lines up for Weymouth in their Conference Knock-Out Cup second round, second leg clash with Buxton Hitmen at the Wessex Stadium (7.30pm). Candy, dropped a fortnight ago to make way for new signing Danny Hughes, comes in to replace the injured Tom Brown (wrist). And he’ll be hoping to reproduce the sort of form that saw him collect ten paid 12 points for a Travis Perkins Select side in a challenge against the Wildcats last Friday.

Manager Brian White said: “It’s very disappointing to lose Tom but he’s had no end of problems with his wrist and a couple of weeks rest is what’s required. I had hoped to use rider-replacement instead but unfortunately the Conference League has said that’s not allowed. “Currently David Mason, Dan Giffard and Lewis Bridger are our three leading points and so they are the ones that the rider-replacement rule can be used for. Because of that, Paul Candy gets another chance and as I’ve always said about our squad members, I hope he makes the most of it. He bounced back well for the Travis Perkins team last week and the bigger selection problems I have every week, the better.”

The Knock-Out Cup forms part of a Conference treble that Weymouth are still very much in the hunt for. White’s men are currently flying high in the league and are already safely through to the trophy semi-finals. However, they will need to peg back an eight-point deficit against the Hitmen – the visitors took the first leg 51-43 on their own track earlier this month.

“The league title is the most important to us,” said the Wildcats chief, “but there’s something a bit special about the Knock-Out Cup. It’s no different to the FA Cup in football and it’s one the riders and fans are always really up for. Buxton are a good side and will test us to the limits and so it’s important we knuckle down and do the business tonight. We are eight points down from the first leg, but that’s not too drastic as long as we work hard as a team and ride to our full potential.”

He added: “We had a disappointing time in the Pairs Championship at Wimbledon on Sunday with Lewis Bridger’s engine problems and Tom’s injury has also been a blow.  Hopefully that’s our fill of bad luck for the time being and we can get back to winning ways in front of a big crowd tonight.”
 

WELSH WIZARD OUT FOR 2 WEEKS
By Paul Baker Wednesday 20 July 2005
WILDCATS will be without their star Welshman Tom Brown for the next couple of weeks. The Weymouth number three has had his wrist put in plaster following last Friday’s challenge match against a Travis Perkins Select. Brown twice hit the deck during the Wildcats’ 51-41 victory, aggravating an old injury in the process.

Brown said: “During the past three or meetings I have had to get treatment at the track from medical staff because I’ve been in so much pain. I damaged my right wrist a while ago and then I did it again when I fell during the Four Team finals up at Stoke last week. Each time I’ve had treatment, the paramedics have had to strap it up just to allow me to keep racing. But after Friday I decided to visit the Royal Gwent Hospital near my home and they said I’ve done further damage to my scaphoid bone. What they’ve done is to put a cast on it to help the healing process and hopefully I’ll be alright in a week or two. Basically the injury is healing but I can’t afford any more knocks.”

Brown is now set to miss the Wildcats’ Knock-Out Cup clash with Buxton tomorrow and the Conference League meeting against Mildenhall a week Friday. Manager Brian White said: “It’s very disappointing news but it’s better that Tom takes a break now and gets himself right for the rest of the season. He’s been riding through the pain barrier for a month or so now but in the end something has to give. “I’m not sure how we will cover his absence, it’s something I’ll be giving plenty of thought to. My understanding is that rider-replacement is not an option because it’s deemed that our three heat leaders are now David Mason, Lewis Bridger and Dan Giffard. With Lewis having only just been moved up to reserve by the Conference League it seems a bit unfair to now say he’s a heat leader as well. Heat leaders are supposed to be your three most experienced and consistent riders and Tom is definitely that. Only heat leaders can be covered by rider-replacement and so I’ll be checking with the league to see what the actual position is.

He added: “But whatever happens, we’ve still got plenty of strength in depth and I’m confident Tom’s absence will not prove to costly.”
 

GREMLINS STRIKE TO END WILDCATS PAIRS HOPES
By Paul Baker  Monday 18 July 2005
MECHANICAL gremlins ended Weymouth’s hopes of adding the Conference League Pairs championship to the Four Team title they won last month, at Wimbledon yesterday. Wildcats duo Dan Giffard and Lewis Bridger arrived at Plough Lane as one of the leading contenders for the crown and hot favourites to make it through their qualifying round. But while Giffard lived up to his billing with two wins out of two, his young partner endured an evening to forget in South London.

Twice the 15-year-old suffered engine failures, which ultimately cost Weymouth a place in the final, which was won by home riders Buzz Burrows and Scott James following a run-off. Giffard said: “I’m gutted, especially after winning both my heats. Unfortunately Lewis had problems with his bikes which is what happens in speedway sometimes. Sometimes the luck is with you, sometimes it isn’t and today it definitely wasn’t.”

Wildcats began their challenge in heat seven when they came up against Boston pairing, Karl White and Rob Hollingworth. But while Giffard roared from the gate in style, Bridger was left at the start after his engine malfunctioned and stalled. Giffard went on to take the chequered flag, which meant the Dorset riders needed a first and second in their next outing to make it through to the final.

Again disaster struck moments before they were due to take on Scunthorpe’s Wayne Carter and Benji Compton, and again it was Bridger’s machinery that packed up. He was excluded under the two minute rule and was forced to start the re-run 15 metres back, on his team-mate’s spare bike. And although he gave it everything he had, the flying schoolboy couldn’t make up the lost ground and ended up crashing on the final lap and having to push home across the finishing line.

Giffard won the heat ahead of Carter, but it was the Scorpions who progressed, leaving Wildcats fans to reflect on what could have been. Weymouth manager Brian White said: “It was a bad day for Lewis and I reckon he’s learnt a bit about pre-race preparation. His equipment just didn’t seem right with his number one bike failing to even get going. His second machine wasn’t set up right either and in the end he had to borrow a bike from Dan which again, hadn’t been set up for the track. You’ve got to feel sorry for Dan and I know he’s gutted. But Lewis will learn from the experience and come back better for it and it just shows that you can’t keep winning all of the time.”

Scunthorpe were joined in the final by Wimbledon A, Stoke Spitfires and Oxford Silver Dream Academy. And after a dig-dong battle throughout the six-race showdown, both the Dons and Dream Academy were locked on 16 points with Stoke securing third with 14. The destination of the title was then decided by a race off in which hosts’ stars James and Burrows dominated to finish first and second respectively.

White added: “It was a cracking final and it all came down to a race-off in the end. Obviously Wimbledon’s pair had the advantage riding on their own track and they certainly made it count. But it was so frustrating watching it because I’m certain Dan and Lewis would have been there had it not been for their bad luck.”
 

WILDCATS READY TO POUNCE FOR THE PAIRS
TOP Wildcat Dan Giffard is hoping to continue his great season in the saddle at Wimbledon tomorrow. The Great Britain Under 21 star partners Lewis Bridger in the Conference League Pairs Championship (4pm). Giffard and Bridger were members of Weymouth's triumphant side that won the Four Team title at Stoke last month, and he's confident of adding to his medal collection. He said: "It's going to be tough but both Lewis and I have good records at Wimbledon and we're determined to do well.  It might sound a bit obvious, but what we need to do is make starts, wins races and get points on the board. What’s crucial is that we don’t finish last in any heats because you get two points for third and nothing for finishing fourth. We know each other well which is a big advantage and I think we've got as good a chance as anyone."

Giffard and Bridger are among the bookies favourites to land the spoils along with Mildenhall's Jon Armstrong and Lee Smart, and home stars Buzz Burrows and Scott James. "Mildenhall and Wimbledon look strong," added Giffard, "but so do all the others. You've got the cream of the Conference League on display and each team is more than capable of winning it. All Lewis and I can do is go out there and give it our very best shot and hopefully we can bring the title back to the Wessex Stadium to go with the Four Team trophy."
 

GIFFARD AND BRIDGER TO THE MAX
By Paul Baker Saturday 16 July 2005
WEYMOUTH WILDCATS 51  TRAVIS PERKINS SELECT 41
DAN Giffard and Lewis Bridger warmed up for tomorrow's Conference League Pairs Championship with a stunning display at the Wessex Stadium last night. The Wildcats duo head to Wimbledon with confidence brimming after each picked up maximums in their side's 51-41 success over a Travis Perkins Conference Select. Giffard led the way with a faultless 15 points while his teenage team mate returned 14, paid 15. Weymouth manager Brian White, who deserves credit for getting the meeting on at short notice after Newport pulled out of their scheduled league clash at the 11th hour, said: "I’d like to thank all the riders who gave up their night to ride for the Travis Perkins Select. Newport's withdrawal was very frustrating but all the boys dug deep to provide some great entertainment, especially Dan and Lewis."

Wildcats skipper David Mason claimed an easy victory in a shared opener, which saw Select's Paul Candy take third ahead of Danny Hughes, the man who recently replaced him in the Radipole Lane line-up. The visitors then took an early lead thanks to a 4-2 from James Purchase and Adam Filmer, and they maintained their advantage following a long-winded third.

Wildcat Tom Brown was excluded after twice hitting the deck and Danny Betson was thrown out after falling foul of the two-minute rule. When the race was finally run, Bridger won it in a super quick time of 54.4 seconds. In form Giffard took the chequered flag in a drawn heat four, before Weymouth nailed their first victory of the night in the next. Bridger roared from the gate to open a sizeable lead and was followed over the line by Brown to secure a Wildcats 5-1. That put the hosts 16-14 in front and their lead stayed intact over the next two encounters won by Travis Perkins' Luke Priest and Giffard, respectively.

Heat eight saw the Select outfit hit back with a Candy\Purchase 5-1, but Weymouth responded immediately in the shape of Bridger and Brown. That made it 28-26 going into the tenth, in which home pair Mason and Hughes were split by Wimbledon's Danny Betson. The untouchable Giffard won a drawn heat 11by a country mile, while Brown did likewise in the twelfth. Race 13 proved lucky for the Wildcats, courtesy of a full house from Giffard and Mason, and it was the outstanding Bridger who secured the team victory by winning heat 14 in front of double points tactical substitute, Candy. That meant heat 15 was purely academic in terms of the result, although it was action all the way as Giffard sneaked home with just inches to spare over Bridger.
 

GIFFARD AND BRIDGER GET BEST PAIRS CALL
By Paul Baker Thursday 14 July 2005
DAVID Mason has been left out of Weymouth’s GRA Conference League Best Pairs Championship line-up. The Wildcats’ skipper and number one had been expected to represent the club in Sunday’s showdown at Wimbledon (4.30pm). Instead, it will be Dan Giffard and teenage sensation Lewis Bridger who will wear the Wessex Stadium race jackets at Plough Lane. “It’s all about horses for courses,” said Wildcats manager Brian White. “I could have picked any two from David, Dan, Lewis and Tom Brown because all four are in great form. But I’ve opted for Dan and Lewis simply because they have the best records at Wimbledon and it’s something that both David and Tom agree with. Over the past couple of years, Dan’s been almost unbeatable around Plough Lane and he seems to ride the track perfectly. Lewis spent last year doing second halves at Wimbledon and won the Paul Strank Champion-ship up there last month.”

Having been part of Weymouth’s triumphant Conference Four Team Tournament side earlier in the summer, Giffard and Bridger are among the favourites to take the Pairs crown in South London. However, they will face stiff competition from a number of duos, including Buzz Burrows and Scott James (Wimbledon), Jon Armstrong and Lee Smart (Mildenhall) and Stoke’s Barrie Evans and Jack Hargreaves. White added: “It’s going to be tough but I reckon they’re in with a cracking chance.”

The Wildcats have been drawn against Boston and Scunthorpe in their qualifying group, which will be run over 12 heats with every pair racing each other. The scoring system will be four for a win, three for second, two for third and no points for fourth. The top duo from each of the four groups will then go through to the six-heat final round.
 

MAVERICKS NO SHOW ANGERS WILDCATS
By Paul Baker Thursday 14 July 2005
WILDCATS boss Brian White has been left fuming following the cancellation of tomorrow’s Conference League clash with Newport at the Wessex Stadium. The Mavericks have pulled out of the fixture claiming they were told the meeting was being held tonight. White has now been left with the difficult task of organising a challenge event at short notice, but promised the ‘show would go’ on. He said: “Newport won’t be coming on Friday and I’m not best pleased to say the least. They claim they were told the meeting was on Thursday but that’s nonsense. Originally we were riding on Thursdays this season and Newport had been due at the Wessex Stadium on April 7. That match was postponed because of the weather and it was just after that we decided to switch to Fridays. My bosses, the British Speedway Promoters Association (BSPA), told me I had to talk to every other club to sort out the change of race night and that’s what I did. I spoke to Newport and offered them three different Fridays and they chose this week, July 17.

“When I called them on Monday to get a line-up for the match programme they suddenly started saying they were coming on Thursday night and not Friday. When I questioned it they claimed they hadn’t been informed of our change of race night, which is absolute nonsense. Unfortunately I and the BSPA are helpless to do anything and so there will be no Weymouth versus Newport fixture on Friday. Personally I think they are making excuses because they’ve got a few unavailable riders but there’s nothing whatsoever I can do about.”

With sponsors booked and staff arranged, White is now in the throws of putting together a Conference League Select side to race against the Wildcats. “The riders, fans, staff and sponsors deserve better than this,” he added, “and so there will be some speedway at the Wessex tomorrow.  Hopefully I can get a really strong side together and put on some real entertainment to make up for this ridiculous situation.”

Meanwhile Newport’s chiefs are pointing the accusing finger at Weymouth after claiming they’ve played it by the book. Peter Towersey, Mavericks team manager, said: “We originally agreed a Thursday date and then Weymouth were given permission to race again on a Friday – subject to arrangements being made with the opponents. Apart from something appearing in the Speedway Star we heard nothing until he telephoned for a team.
 

HUGHES IS THE MISSING PIECE
By Paul Baker  Monday 11 July 2005
DANNY Hughes could prove the missing piece in the Wildcats jigsaw. That’s the verdict of boss Brian White following the former Newcastle Gems rider’s Weymouth debut at Boston, yesterday. Hughes scored three paid five as the visitors collected a Conference Trophy aggregate bonus point with a 48-42 victory. The win secured a top place finish for the Wildcats in the South Qualifying Group and they now face either Armadale or Scunthorpe in a two-legged semi- final. White said: “Getting Danny is a big boost for the club and I think at last we’ve found the missing piece in the jigsaw. He’s an outstanding rider who averaged almost seven for Newcastle last year and he’s just the sort of squad member we need. He’s only ridden once at Scunthorpe since last season and so was a bit rusty yesterday, but once he’s got a couple of meetings under his belt, he’ll be banging in the points. We’ve got a big couple of months ahead of us as we chase all three Conference prizes and Danny will play an important part during the second half of the season.”

Hughes, 22, who has had Elite League experience with Belle Vue, rode at number two yesterday, in place of out-of-form Paul Candy. White added: “It’s hard on Paul, but he’s just not been scoring enough points over the past couple of months. He’s a cracking lad with loads of talent, but maybe a rest will do him good. Hopefully he’ll go away, recharge the batteries and come back fighting for his place in the team.”
 

A PERFECT WEEKEND
Wildcats celebrate a Conference League and Trophy boost
By Paul Baker  Monday 11 July 2005
AS WEEKENDS go Weymouth’s, like the weather, was just about perfect. Having begun it with a 48-42 Conference Trophy victory over Boston at the Wessex Stadium, the Wildcats completed the job with a second leg success over the Barracuda Braves, yesterday. Their 50-42 success at the Norfolk Arena secured top spot in the South Qualifying Group and a semi-final place against whoever finishes second in the North. And is that wasn’t good enough, Weymouth’s hopes of Conference League glory were given a huge boost after leaders Wimbledon suffered back-to-back defeats at Armadale and Scunthorpe.

Team manager Brian White said: “Things couldn’t have gone any better for us this weekend. To beat Boston home and away in the space of 48 hours is no mean achievement and the boys can be pleased with their efforts. “They were big results because although both of us had qualified for the semi-finals, it was important to finish top so as to gain a psychological boost on our opponents.” He added: “We are going all out to win the Trophy but the League remains our priority and so Wimbledon’s two defeats has capped a great three days for the club.”

Despite being away from home, the Wildcats were always favourites to emerge triumphant yesterday against a weakened Boston outfit. Missing from the side that did battle at Radipole Lane were star trio Trevor Harding, James Cockle and Adam Roynon, while the visitors welcomed back their skipper David Mason. The Weymouth number one showed his class with 14 points from five outings, his only reversal coming at the hands of Simon Lambert in heat five. Mason received good support from Lewis Bridger (9), Jack Gledhill (8+2) and Tom Brown (7+2), while new signing Danny Hughes (3+2) showed promise on his debut.

The bulk of the Braves points came courtesy of Simon Walker (17+1) and Lambert (14) while veteran Rob Hollingworth chipped in with 5+1.  Following a shared opening encounter, won by Mason in the third quickest time of the meeting, the Dorset side were never headed after scoring a 5-0 through Gledhill and Lewis Dallaway in the second. In all, the Wildcats collected six heat advantages and took the chequered flag on eight separate occasions. White added: “Boston may have been under strength, but we did the hard work on Friday against their full line-up and that was without David Mason. “He was superb yesterday and I think we could end up meeting Boston in the final, which would certainly be interesting.”
 

WILDCATS ALMOST THERE
By Paul Baker  Saturday 9 July 2005
WEYMOUTH were all but crowned Conference Trophy South champions following a nail-biting victory over Boston at the Wessex Stadium last night. Their 48-42 triumph leaves the Barracuda Braves needing a 27-point win over their rivals when they meet again for the second leg in Lincolnshire tomorrow (6.30pm). In a cracking contest that swung back and forth, it was Wildcats’ teenage sensation Lewis Bridger who took the plaudits with a tremendous 14 (paid 16) return. The 15-year-old was in sensational form against the likes of Premier League regulars Trevor Harding and James Cockle with his exploits, including a chequered flag in what proved a last heat decider. Dan Giffard, who led the side in the absence of unavailable captain David Mason, chipped in with an excellent 15 from six outings, while Tom Brown returned a useful eight points for Brian White’s men.

The visitors got off to a perfect start by collecting maximum points in heat one, thanks to great team riding from Cockle and Harding, who recently won Weymouth’s Wessex Rosebowl with a 100 per cent record. The Braves extended that advantage with a 4-2 success in the second, which came after Wildcats’ reserve Jack Gledhill fell while leading on the final lap. Weymouth hit back in the next with a much-needed 5-1 from Brown and Bridger, before Giffard and Lewis Dallaway turned the meeting full circle by picking up a 4-2 in heat four. That made the scoreline 12-12 and it remained level after Bridger scorched around the outside of Cockle and Harding to earn the Wildcats a share of the spoils in race five.

Heats six, seven and eight ended all square, with easy wins for Simon Walker, Giffard and Cockle respectively, but Weymouth finally got their noses in front for the first time in the ninth. Again it was Brown and Bridger who prevailed in a thrilling encounter that saw the Wildcats’ team mates and third placed Walker separated by less than 0.5 seconds. That put the hosts 29-25 in front and it was Giffard who ensured they entered the interval with a four-point advantage with his third victory in the tenth.

Boston began the second half the way they started the first, with Harding and Cockle blazing a trail in the early stages of race 11. However, instead of celebrating a second 5-1 maximum, the visitors had to settle for a 3-3 after Giffard got ahead of Cockle moments before the Barracudas’ star was forced to retire. The Braves got themselves into contention once more with a Lambert/Lowe 4-2 in the twelfth, but back came the Wildcats in identical fashion thanks to Giffard and Brown.

And the hosts could have sewn things up in the penultimate contest, which was won by the flying Bridger, but Gledhill suffered a mechanical failure while holding a match winning third spot. With four points still separating the teams, it all came down to heat 15. That was won in spectacular style by Bridger to guarantee a home success, with Giffard awarded third behind Harding after Cockle had ploughed his bike into the fence.

New signing Danny Hughes will make his debut for the Wildcats at Boston tomorrow. The former Newcastle rider has moved to the Wessex Stadium until the end of the season and will replace Paul Candy at number two.
 

MASON OUT OF BOSTON VISIT
By Paul Baker  Friday 8 July 2005
SKIPPER David Mason has been ruled out of Weymouth’s Conference Trophy South Pool clash with Boston at the Wessex Stadium tonight (7.30pm). The Wildcats number one has been given leave by manager Brian White to attend a family wedding. Mason’s absence will be covered by rider replacement with Tom Brown, Lewis Bridger, Dan Giffard and Jack Gledhill expected to get the extra rides. White explained: “Family weddings don’t happen every day and obviously it’s important to David to be there. Our riders, who remember don’t earn a fortune in this sport, travel thousands of miles every season doing their bit for the team and so occasionally you have to be flexible. “David is one of the most committed riders in the game and so I’m sure fans don’t begrudge him the occasional night off for something like this.”

Another reason White has been prepared to give his captain the night off is because the Wildcats have already qualified for the semi- finals of the Trophy competition. They did that with victory over Mildenhall last Friday although the boss says there’s still plenty to ride for this evening. “We might be through to the last four,” said White, “but we can still win our Pool group outright. Boston are the only team who can stop us doing that and we ride against them tonight, and then again in the second leg at their place on Sunday.

“Finishing top is important to me and the riders and I’m certain it’s what the supporters expect of us as well. There will be no going through the motions tonight, that I can promise you.” With the pressure off the Wildcats, this evening’s clash with the Barracuda Braves will provide the perfect opportunity for two of the side’s lesser points scorers to step up to the mark.

Paul Candy has been struggling for form all season while Lewis Dallaway pulls on a Weymouth jacket for only the third time since moving from Newport late last month. “Paul desperately needs a score,” added White, “and he won’t get a better opportunity than this. Obviously Lewis needs time to settle because he’s only just joined us, but again tonights could be the night for him. “Whatever happens, I’m expecting a good performance and we’ll be out to open up a big lead to take to their place for the second leg on Sunday.”

Wildcats: Rider replacement (Mason, Candy, Brown, Bridger, Giffard, Gledhill, Dallaway.
 

DALLAWAY - WHITE URGES FANS TO BE PATIENT
By Paul Baker  Friday 8 July 2005
WILDCATS boss Brian White has urged fans to be patient with new signing Lewis Dallaway. The 19-year-old reserve has joined Weymouth last week from Conference League rivals Newport, where he made just a handful of appearances at number eight for the Mavericks. And while his Wildcats career hasn’t exactly started with a bang – two points on his debut in the 56-37 Trophy victory over Mildenhall on Friday and two in Sunday’s 51-43 Knock-Out Cup defeat at Buxton – his manager reckons he’s signed a star in the making.

“Lewis Dallaway is friendly with our number three Tom Brown and so we invited him down for a second half a couple of weeks ago. He looked very impressive on that occasion and we signed him on the strength of that and Tom’s recommendation. “Our other young reserve Adam Filmer has been struggling recently and needed a break and so Lewis has come in to replace him for the time being. “Four points from seven rides in his first two meetings might not sound too promising but again, I was very impressed with his style and attitude and there’s definitely plenty of potential there.

“All I’d ask is for fans to be patient with both Lewis and Adam because both will come good in the end. They are young, raw and inexperienced and the only way you learn in this game is to go to the start line and race.” With the win over Mildenhall having guaranteed the Wildcats a place in the Trophy semi-finals, fans are now beginning to talk seriously about the prospects of emulating the Fen Tigers treble of 2004. And while White is confident of a possible hat-trick, he’s not letting his riders or staff get carried away with the idea. He explained: “We are going well. We’re second in the league, in the semi-finals of the Trophy and we’ve got every chance of overturning Buxton’s eight-point lead in the Knock-Out Cup tie. On top of that we’ve already won the Four Team title so whatever happens it’s already a good season. “The Conference treble would be nice of course and I think we’re good enough to achieve. But there’s a lot of hard work ahead before we start thinking about that and a lot of speedway heats to be raced.”
 

WILDCATS CUP DREAMS HANG IN THE BALANCE
By Paul Baker  Monday 4 July 2005
WEYMOUTH’S hopes of Conference Knock-Out Cup glory hang in the balance following a disappointing first round first leg showing at Buxton yesterday. The Wildcats slipped to a rare 51-43 defeat at the hands of the Hitmen, leaving them a eight-point deficit to overhaul when the two sides clash in the second leg at the Wessex Stadium on Friday, July 22. Brian White’s men were always going to be up against following the last minute withdrawal of Jack Gledhill. The Coventry-based reserve was struck down by a migraine and sickness, which meant he was unable to take his place in the side.

After some frantic 11th-hour telephone calls, the Weymouth boss finally managed to draft 17-year-old Tim Webster into the line-up, but he failed to collect a single point from four outings. “Losing Jack was a big blow,” admitted White. “He’s a big points scorer down at reserve and that was probably the difference between the two sides.

“I’m really grateful to Tim for coming in and helping us out at such short notice. The lad lives down in Cornwall and yet the minute I called him, he dropped everything and hit the road to Buxton. It’s unfortunate he wasn’t  rewarded with any points for his efforts but we live to fight another day.”

The Hitmen always held the edge during an entertaining encounter, with Charles Wright, David Farley and Carl Belfield taking the opening three heats to give the Dale Head Lane outfit an early 11-7 lead. And they continued to forge in front of the Wildcats despite victories for Dan Giffard (heat four), Lewis Bridger (heat seven) and Giffard again (heat nine). With the hosts 35-25 ahead after ten races, White opted to employ skipper David Mason as a double points tactical in the 11th. And it turned out to be the right decision with the visitors scoring a 7-2 win with the captain in first spot and Paul Candy third.

However, three more home successes in the final four encounters were enough to give Buxton a 51-43 victory, and a healthy eight-point lead to take to the south coast later this month. For the Wildcats, three riders returned double figures – Mason (11), Bridger (11) and Giffard (10) – but it was their lack of experience at reserve that undid them on the day.

White added: “It’s disappointing to lose but it sets it up for a cracker in the second leg. Buxton will be pleased with a eight-point lead but I’m confident we can overturn that on our own track and progress in the competition.”
 

WILDCATS TRIUMPH
By Paul Baker  Saturday 2 July 2005
WEYMOUTH remain on course for a Conference treble after a superb victory over last season's hat-trick heroes Mildenhall last night. The Wildcats cruised into the semi-finals of the Trophy with a comfortable 56-37 South Qualifying Pool success over the Fen Tigers on an evening of first class racing at the Wessex Stadium. The win, which stretches their unbeaten home record to nine meetings, earned Brian White’s men the aggregate bonus point for overturning a 49-43 defeat at West Row last month.   Stars of the show were two of the club's newly-crowned Four Team champions – teenager Lewis Bridger returning a 14+1 paid maximum and Dan Giffard taking four chequered flags out of four.

A delighted White said: “Mildenhall aren’t as strong as when they did the League, Trophy and Knock Out Cup treble last year, but they are still the ones that everyone wants to beat. They set the standards last season and we want to follow them.” He added: “There's a long way to go and a lot of work to be done, but if we can continue to ride as well as this then there's every chance we can do it too. We’ve reached the Trophy semi-finals with a couple of qualifying matches in hand and confidence is sky high at the moment.”

Visiting skipper Jon Armstrong took the honours in a shared opener, although it would have been a different story had Wildcats captain David Mason not have lifted on the start line. But Jack Gledhill made up for that disappointment in race two, in which Lewis Dallaway collected a point on his Weymouth debut. Bridger eased home ahead of ex-Wessex Stadium pair Chris Johnson and Mark Thompson for a share of the spoils in the next, before Giffard and Dallaway picked up a 4-2 in the fourth. Bridger then showed why he's been promoted to the main body of the Wildcats side with what was a stunning manoeuvre on lap two of heat five. The 15-year-old roared around the outside of the Armstrong in sensation style, with Brown collecting third place to put the Dorset outfit 18-12 in front, and all square at 61-61 on aggregate.

Mason and Paul Candy secured Weymouth’s third consecutive 4-2 success in heat six while Giffard kept up his 100 per cent record by taking race seven. Heat eight saw the Fen Tigers hit back with a Purchase\Bargh 5-1, but Weymouth immediately repaid the complement thanks to Brown and Bridger. Inspired by their team mates' efforts, Mason and Gledhill repeated the exercise in race ten to send the Wildcats into a 36-24 (79-73) interval lead.

Mildenhall sent Armstrong out as a double points tactical ride in heat 11, but he could only finish sandwiched between the outstanding Giffard and Gledhill in a 4-4 encounter. Bargh failed to make an impression as a tactical in the next – a race that was dramatically won by Brown, who came from last out of the gate to pip Johnson on the line by the width of a cigarette paper. That was it as far as the Fen Tigers challenge was concerned as Giffard secured his maximum by winning heat 13 in front of Mason, while Bridger stormed to his third win in a 4-2 penultimate race victory for the hosts.

Bridger then completed his paid maximum in the last, once again getting the better of opposing skipper Armstrong – a man twice the flying Wildcat's age.  Weymouth begin their Conference Knock Out Cup challenge tomorrow with a first round, first leg tie at Buxton (3pm).
 

OAKES TIPS BRIDGER FOR THE TOP
GREAT Britain under-21 manager Peter Oakes reckons new Wildcats track record holder Lewis Bridger is ready for a step up to the Premier League. Weymouth’s teenage sensation has set the speedway alight this summer with some big-hitting displays in the Conference League. So impressive has the 15-year-old been that many of the sport’s experts are tipping him as a future world champion.

Oakes, who is in charge of youth development in Great Britain, has long been an admirer of the Sussex-based youngster, who clocked a Wessex Stadium best of 53.3 seconds against Newport last Friday. “Lewis is probably the best of a crop of very good youngsters in this country at the moment,” he said, “and one of the most accomplished motor cycle riders I’ve ever seen. He appears equally at home on a trials, road or speedway bike and he’s got a wonderful temperament for one so young. I first came across him when he rode in the Weymouth round of last year’s under-15 championship and have followed his progress ever since. I’m convinced he’s got what it takes to make it at the highest level although I think it’s important Lewis starts getting some Premier League experience under his belt as soon as possible.  Ideally he’ll still be riding for Weymouth next season, but at the very least he’s got to be occupying a reserve place at the higher level.”

Bridger couldn’t have had a better start to his race-riding career, which only began in April when Weymouth beat off strong competition from Wimbledon for the schoolboy’s signature. Since then he’s been averaging 9.14 in a Wildcats race jacket and was a member of their Conference League Fours winning side. On top of that, he won the Paul Strank Roofing Open Champion-ship at Plough Lane last month and had an impressive spin at the Millennium Stadium before the British Grand Prix in June.

Oakes added: “One of Lewis’s biggest assets is his willingness to listen and learn. Not once has he turned down an opportunity to ride this summer, whatever the event or occasion. Not only has he got a full programme for Weymouth, but he’s also agreed to ride in every round of the British Academy League for the Buffaloes and that just shows how keen the lad is. He’s an exciting prospect and we’ll give him all the support he needs. Certainly he’s close to a place in the Great Britain Under-21 side and who knows what he might achieve over the next couple of years.”
 

WILDCATS SUFFER DOUBLE BLOW
By Paul Baker  Monday 8 August 2005
WEYMOUTH’S Conference League title hopes suffered a double blow at the Norfolk Stadium yesterday. Not only did the Wildcats miss out on a crucial bonus point against reigning champions Mildenhall Fen Tigers, they also lost the services of star man and top scorer Dan Giffard through injury. Having travelled to East Anglia defending a 51-40 advantage from the first leg at the Wessex Stadium a fortnight ago, the aggregate bonus point looked a certainty for the Dorset visitors.

But that all changed following the fourth heat in which Giffard and former Wildcats team mate Lee Smart both came to grief after getting tangled up on the fourth bend of  the first lap. Smart escaped relatively unscathed, but Giffard wasn’t so lucky. He lay clutching an ankle and had to be carried to the trackside ambulance for treatment before  withdrawing from the meeting altogether.

Manager Brian White said: "It was a nasty crash although no one was to blame. It was just one of those things. It’s was very worrying at the time because Dan broke both of his ankles in a horrific crash up at Stoke a couple of years ago, but thankfully there doesn’t appear to be any long-term damage and he should be okay. Unfortunately the injury meant he had to retire from the meeting which was a real blow because he’s been in such great form of late. Had Dan not got injured then I’m sure we would have picked up the bonus point."

Having been trailing 14-4 at the time of Giffard’s withdrawal, things just went from bad to worse for Weymouth after that. In fact the visitors only managed a total of three heat victories with Lewis Bridger successful in the seventh, Tom Brown in the tenth and skipper David Mason in the last. Meanwhile it was Fen Tigers’ trio of ex-Wildcats who came back to haunt their previous employer as Mark Thompson (13), Smart (11) and Chris Johnson (8+2) bagged 32 points between them. For the Wildcats it was Brown (13+1) and Mason (12) who held their side together, while Bridger (7) would have also boasted double figures had he not blown an engine on one bike and snapped a chain on another.

A disappointed White said: "That has to go down as a bad day at the office. From Dan’s injury to niggly mechanical gremlins, nothing seemed to go right for us. It’s a shame because we worked so hard to build a decent lead in the home fixture with the bonus point in mind." He added: "On the plus side, new signing James Clement rode well enough despite only picking up two, paid four and I think there’s plenty of points to come from him between now and the end of the season."
 

BRIDGER BREAKS TRACK RECORD
By Paul Baker Saturday 6 August 2005
WEYMOUTH CARPET GALORE WILDCATS 53 NEWPORT MAVERICKS 37
LEWIS Bridger enhanced his reputation as Britain's hottest teenage property in sensational style at the Wessex Stadium last night. Weymouth's flying 15-year-old smashed the track record in heat nine of Wildcats 53-37 Conference League victory over Newport Mavericks. Bridger shaved a massive two tenths of a second off the previous best, set by Paul Lee last year, as he blitzed over the line in 53.3 seconds. In was an incredible achievement by the youngster, who finished the race a full four and a half seconds ahead of second place team mate Tom Brown.

"I'm delighted," said Bridger, who returned 11+2 points for his side. "To get the track record on my home circuit is fantastic although I think I can go even faster. After getting away well from the gate I managed to open up a big advantage and I had a feeling when I took the chequered flag that it was pretty fast."

Bridger wasn't Weymouth's only hero on a night that began badly for the title chasers. Dan Giffard collected a 14+1 paid maximum, with Brown (10+1) and David Mason (9+2) also chipping in. Mavericks had got their challenge off to a good start, just as they did in Sunday's abandoned meeting at the Hayley Stadium, with Karlis Ezergailis and Karl Mason collecting a 4-2 in the opener. The Welshmen moved further ahead following a 5-1 in the second, which was awarded after Wildcat Jack Gledhill took a nasty back straight tumble while holding a commanding lead.

And it got better for Newport in heat three - Bridger’s mechanical failure handing ex-Weymouth brothers  Danny and Carl Warwick a 4-2. That put Mavericks 13-5 ahead and they maintained their eight-point advantage after a shared fourth, won by Giffard. Wildcats hit back in heat five, which began with Danny Warwick failing to make the two minute time allowance. Billy Legg came in to replace him, but neither he nor Karl Mason had an answer to Brown and Bridger who cruised home for the hosts. Weymouth drew level after a thrilling heat six, which saw Paul Candy take a rare chequered flag against his former side. But it was behind where the action was as skipper David Mason pulled off an amazing manoeuvre to pass Ezergailis on the final lap.

Wildcats went in front for the first time thanks to a Giffard\Gledhill 4-2 in the seventh, but back came the Mavericks with a Hurst\Karl Mason maximum in the next. Then came Bridger's incredible exploits as Weymouth celebrated their second 5-1, before David Mason and Candy nailed another 4-2 success to give their team a 32-28 interval lead. Giffard kept up his 100 per cent record in a shared heat 11, while Bridger clocked just a tenth of a second slower than his new track best in another drawn encounter. Wildcats all but secured victory as Giffard and David Mason returned maximum points in heat 13, but they made certain with a Brown\Gledhill 5-1 in the penultimate contest after Hurst bit the dust on the final circuit. The hosts rounded off a wonderful night's action with a third consecutive full house in the last, with hero Bridger becoming the one and only rider to beat his team mate Giffard.
 

CLEMENT JOINS CATS
By Paul Baker Friday 5 August 2005
WILDCATS will tonight complete the signing of James Clement ahead of their Conference League battle with Newport Mavericks at the Wessex Stadium (7.30pm). The grade five rider is due to pen a contract after being released earlier this week by  Weymouth’s title rivals Wimbledon Dons. Clement, 19, is being snapped up to bolster the troublesome number two berth which has recently been shared by Paul Candy and Danny Hughes. Manager Brian White said: "I’m surprised Wimbledon have let James go, but his place there has come under pressure by them signing Grant McDonald. But their loss is our gain and we are delighted to have him on board. He’s a talented prospect who has got a good record at this level and he’ll definitely enhance our title bid. It was important to get a new face in because Danny Hughes is not going to be available for a number of meetings between now and the end of the summer ."

The need for transfer paperwork to be ratified by the league means Clement remains unavailable this evening and will instead make his debut when the Wildcats travel to Mildenhall on Sunday. Hughes is also a non-starter tonight and so Paul Candy will partner skipper David Mason at the top of the order. White added: "James is the ideal signing because he lives up in Eastbourne close to David Mason, Dan Giffard and Lewis Bridger. They are all mates together and that will help in terms of team spirit and travelling. Danny’s having a few problems with getting time off work at the moment and so Paul Candy will deputise tonight. All being well, James will make his bow at Mildenhall."

With last weekend’s clash with the Mavericks in South Wales abandoned because of rain after six heats, Weymouth will want to build a big lead to take with them when they go in search of an aggregate bonus point later in the season. "Newport are struggling a bit this year," added the manager, "but in the six heats we raced last week, they proved they can match anyone on their day. "In Karlis Ezergailis and our former team member Danny Warwick, they’ve got match winning riders. But if we perform to the best of our ability then we’ll be okay on our home dirt."
 

MAVERICKS AT THE WESSEX
By Paul Baker Wednesday 3 August 2005
WEYMOUTH'S controversial home Conference League clash with Newport will take place at the Wessex Stadium this Friday (7.30pm). The management of both sides were embroiled in a bitter row when the scheduled clash between the Wildcats and Mavericks was postponed last month. After switching race nights from Thursday to Friday earlier in the season, Weymouth boss Brian White had been expecting the Welsh club at Radipole Lane on Friday July 15.

However, Newport manager Peter Towersey claimed he was never told about the change of days and thought he was bringing his team to the south coast on Thursday July 14. In the end, the fixture was cancelled and White claims both parties have now put the matter behind them. "At the time," he explained, "I stated my position and Peter stated his. It was a bit frustrating but it's gone now and we've both laid the matter to rest. Newport are now coming to the Wessex Stadium this coming Friday August 5 and there's definitely no confusion about it this time."

Meanwhile Stoke Spitfires will be visiting Weymouth on Thursday August 11, a day  earlier than first advertised. The meeting has been brought forward to accommodate a wedding reception taking place in the Terras Wessex Lounge on the Friday. Meanwhile Dan Giffard has committed to the Wildcats for the rest of the season despite an approach from Premier League Hull Vikings. The Humberside team are believed to be interested in signing Weymouth's leading point scorer at reserve.

Manager Brian White said: "Dan is in great form and should be riding in the Premier League without question. Hull are interested but I have spoken to Dan who has assured me that Weymouth remains his priority this season, even if he is offered a run at the higher level. He's also expressed a desire to come back next year and that will be possible as long as his Premier League average doesn't top 4.50. Basically I don't foresee any problems."
 

BRIDGER REMAINS TIGHT-LIPPED ABOUT FUTURE
By Paul Baker Thursday 29 September 2005
LEWIS Bridger is remaining tight-lipped about his riding plans for next season. Speculation is mounting that the Weymouth wonder boy is on the verge of signing a lucrative contract with Elite League giants Eastbourne Eagles. But Bridger, who has been revealed as one of four nominees for the Speedway Riders’ Association (SRA) Conference League Rider of the Year award, has told fans they’ll have to wait until the indoor Brighton Bonanza on December 11 for an announcement. He said: “I’m very excited about the future but I can’t say too much at this time. An announcement will be made at the Brighton Bonanza and I’m sworn to secrecy until then. What I can say is that I’m delighted about what’s happening and I’m already looking forward to 2006.”

Sussex-based Bridger, who is still only 15, has taken the speedway world by storm this season with some breathtaking displays for the Wildcats. But while there’s little doubt the teenager has a massive future in the sport, he remains both extremely level-headed and with his feet firmly on the ground.

“It’s been a brilliant year for me at Weymouth,” he added, “and I couldn’t have wished for a better start to my career. We won the Conference League Fours, got to the semi-final of the Trophy, are in the last four of the Knock-Out Cup and should finish in the top three of the league table. On top of that, I’ve had some good performances in a few individuals and have been really lucky in terms of staying fit and not getting injured. The SRA nomination is the icing on the cake and I was really surprised and delighted when I was told. Whether I win it or not, I’ll be happy because there’s some great talent in the Conference League and it’s just great to be up there with them. Things are definitely going well for me at the moment but speedway is a tough game and everything can change just like that. It’s why I try not to take anything for granted and it’s important that I keep working hard because I’ve still got a lot to learn. But coming to Weymouth this season was certainly the right decision and I’ve really enjoyed it at the Wessex Stadium. Boss Brian White has been terrific towards me, as have all the fans.”

Wildcats team manager White, who has consistently described Bridger as a future world champion, is hopeful that Bridger will remain a Weymouth rider next summer, although he admits it’s a long shot. I’d like to see Lewis do one more year in the Conference League just to keep his confidence sky high,” he explained. “I’d hate him to go into the Elite League and struggle and then get frustrated because of it. But Lewis knows what he wants and knows his own ability and if he thinks he’s ready for the  big time, then he’s probably right. I’m just proud to have played a part in his emergence as a great speedway rider and Weymouth will always consider him as their own.”
 

WILDCATS SWANSONG?
By Paul Baker Wednesday 28 September 2005
PROMOTER Brian White has warned that Friday’s Conference League challenge between Weymouth and Middlesbrough could be the last ever speedway meeting at Wessex Stadium. Objectors are fighting an application by the Wildcats for full planning permission at their Radipole Lane headquarters – they have been operating under temporary permission, which ran out in July. Now White is hoping that West Dorset District Council (WDDC) planners will grant permanent permission for meetings, which attract up to 1,000 fans on Friday nights and Bank Holiday Mondays. However, noise objectors are challenging the application, with Chickerell Town Council have already voted against the renewal of plans – a recommendation that has been sent to WDDC.

A worried White said: “What we are talking about here is just a handful of complaints. Thousands of people have enjoyed the sport since we brought it back to Weymouth three years ago. “We are established both in terms of a successful team and a major tourist attraction and I find it hard to believe that our future is threatened because a few residents can’t live with what amounts to about 20 minutes of engines roaring once a week during the season. I have real fears about our future, so much so that if we don’t win our Knock-Out Cup semi final against Newport, the Middlesbrough meeting could be the last ever in the history of Weymouth Speedway.”

One of the major objectors to speedway is Angie Bennett of Bennetts Water Lily Farm at Chickerell, who last week told the Echo: “We are trying to run a business which includes peaceful gardens and a wonderful secluded site for weddings, so we don’t want this on our doorstep. It is disrupting our lives.”

But White today said he was ‘at a loss’ to understand Mrs Bennett’s reasoning. I appreciate and respect that other people in the town are trying to run businesses, but there is room for all of us. I’ve never heard of a wedding taking place between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on a Friday so I think that’s an unreasonable objection. So much work has gone into bringing speedway back to the town and it’s now a big, big attraction for visitors. I know of scores of hotels, fish and chip shops and other establishments who prosper from us being here and I reckon the sport must bring thousands of pounds into the resort every summer. On top of that, what price could be put on the way we advertise the resort up and down the country? The town gets daily mentions in national newspapers, on television, websites and on the race jackets and that has to be a boost for tourism.”

He added: “Also we have played a major part in providing an important facility for youngsters through our training schools to practise their motorbike skills in a safe and managed environment which has got to be better than roaring unsupervised on the streets. But all this could end on Friday which would be tragic. All I can do is cross my fingers and urge supporters to show their support by coming to the Wessex Stadium on Friday and by writing pro-speedway letters to West Dorset District Council, Development Ser-vices Manager, High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ, or e-mails to: a.martin@westdorsetdc.gov.uk”.

District councillors will decide on October 27 whether to renew consent when they consider a planning application from the Wildcats which seeks to continue to use land owned by Weymouth Football Club as a track together with an additional temporary grandstand, bar and new soundproofing.
 

BRIDGER'S BRONZE HELMET HOPE
By Paul Baker   Tuesday 27 September 2005
LEWIS Bridger will represent Weymouth in the prestigious Bronze Helmet at Mildenhall on Sunday. The meeting represents the Conference League’s last big individual championship of the season, with the Wildcats youngster among the favourites to win the coveted title. Bridger is also the youngest rider to take part, but isn’t concerned by that. He said: “It’s just great to be invited. Generally it’s the more experienced riders who compete for the Bronze Helmet and so I’m honoured to have been asked. Mildenhall’s a track I enjoy competing on and so I think I’m in with a decent shout. Certainly I’ll be going there to try and win, both for myself and for Weymouth.”

Going head-to-head with Bridger at West Row will be two of his nominated rivals for the 2005 Speedway Riders’ Association Conference League Rider of the Year award – Jon Armstrong and Mark ‘Buzz’ Burrows. Meanwhile, Bridger has also been confirmed as one of the entries for the indoor Brighton Bonanza meeting at the Brighton Centre on Sunday, December 11. “I’m really looking forward to the Bonanza,” added Bridger. “Indoor speedway is obviously new to me and it will be great fun I’m sure.”
 

WILDCATS TREBLE BID ENDS
By Paul Baker  Monday 26 September 2005
WEYMOUTH’S Conference treble bid came to a disappointing end after they were dumped out of the Trophy by Stoke at Loomer Road. Wildcats suffered a 52-41 semi-final second leg defeat by the Spitfires, who go through to the final 98-85 following their 46-44 first leg victory at the Wessex Stadium. The visitors, who are now left chasing League and Knock-Out Cup glory, were undone in Staffordshire by a faultless display from Barrie Evans. The former Wimbledon man returned a five-ride 15-point maximum while Jack Hargreaves (12+2) and skipper Luke Priest (10+2) also hit double figures.

Lewis Bridger again led Weymouth’s challenge with 15 points from his six outings, but the teenager received little support from his team mates on what proved a frustrating night for manager Brian White. He said: “We did our best, but at the end of the day we weren’t quite good enough. We lost it in the first leg at home and it was always going to be difficult playing catch-up at Loomer Road. It was frustrating because Dan Giffard wasn’t at his best which is unusual and David Mason had engine problems for about the fourth match running. Tom Brown wasn’t quite on the pace either and I thought we were a bit unlucky in a few of the heats. Also we were without James Clement who was struggling with his broken sternum and it was asking a lot of Danny Hughes to step in at short notice although he certainly didn’t let us down. That said, Stoke deserve to be in the final and we wish them all the best. Our big hope is the Knock-Out Cup and there’s still an outside chance for us in the league. Most clubs would be happy to swap places with Weymouth and don’t forget, we also won the Conference League Fours title earlier in the season.”

Wildcats began the tie in good shape and it was all square at 6-6 going into heat three. But that’s when the Spitfires started to fire as Hargreaves and Priest cruised to an easy 5-1 over Mason and Brown. Stoke continued to build on their advantage and were 27-24 in front by heat eight. However, back came the visitors with a 7-2 success, courtesy of a six-point tactical ride haul from Bridger. Hopes of a Weymouth fightback were dented by Priest and Hargreaves in the ninth, but heat 10 then saw Mason and Brown responded in kind. But that was it as far as the Wildcats were concerned as Stoke claimed further three heat advantages to secure their place in the final against either Boston or Mildenhall.
 

BREATHTAKING BRIDGER
By Paul Baker  Saturday 24 September 2005
LEWIS Bridger kept Weymouth on course for Conference Knock Out Cup glory with a breathtaking display against Newport at the Wessex Stadium last night. The Wildcats wonder boy blazed to a stunning 15-point maximum to help his side secure a 51-43 semi-final first leg victory over the battling Mavericks. Bridger, who was yesterday nominated for the prestigious Speedway Riders’ Association Conference Rider of the Year award, was in a class of his own as Brian White’s men came from behind to secure an eight-point advantage to defend in the second leg in South Wales on October 9. Twice the 15-year-old came from impossible-looking third places to take the chequered flag, much to the delight of his boss.

White said: “I’m running out of words to describe Lewis – he just leaves me speechless. “If he doesn’t go on to become the biggest name in world speedway one day then I’ll be truly amazed.”  The visitors got their challenge off to a perfect start with a 5-1 success in the opener thanks to Karlis Ezergailis and Lee Dicken. Third across the line was James Clement, while Dan Giffard, handicapped by 15 metres following a tapes offence, fell on the first lap.

And life got even better for the Mavericks as reserves Sam Hurst and Billy Legg doubled their side’s advantage with ease in the second. Weymouth hit back through Tom Brown and David Mason in race three – the home pair leaving former Wessex Stadium favourites Danny and Carl Warwick in their wake. That made it 11-7 to Newport going into heat four, and they maintained that four-point lead despite a stunning ride by Lewis Bridger. Having missed the gate, he somehow managed to blast from third to first to claim an unlikely chequered flag. Wildcats drew level at 15-15 after the fifth, in which Mason and Brown again collected a maximum return, and it remained all-square following a shared heat six, won by Giffard.

Wildcats went in front for the with a 5-0 in heat seven, which came after both Warwick brothers had fallen, but Legg and Hurst responded immediately with a 5-1 in the eighth. Mason and Brown then nailed their third consecutive full house, while a repeat dose from Giffard and Clement sent the Wildcats into a 34-25 interval advantage.  A truly incredible performance by Bridger denied the Mavericks a big pay day in heat 11, which for two laps was dominated by tactical ride Ezergailis and Hurst. The youngster appeared beaten but he somehow roared around the boards to pass both his shell-shocked opponents.

Brown then took the honours in a shared race 12 before Bridger and Giffard made it a lucky 13th for Weymouth, securing their side’s fifth five-point haul of the tie. A tactical ride victory for Hurst gave Newport a welcome 6-3 in the penultimate contest, but it was that boy Bridger who safe-guarded the Wildcats eight-point lead by taking a drawn final encounter. “Newport were excellent at reserve,” added White, “but I’m confident eight points will be enough to see us through. It’s going to be tough up there but we’re good enough to win anywhere.”

Wildcats have named an unchanged line-up for their Conference Trophy semi-final second leg clash at Stoke tonight. The hosts hold a two-point advantage having won the first encounter 46-44 at the Wessex Stadium.
 

LEWIS IS A KNOCKOUT
By Paul Baker Friday 23 September 2005
WEYMOUTH go into Knock-Out Cup semi-final action against Newport Mavericks at the Wessex Stadium tonight (7.30pm), boasting a potential Conference League Rider of Year in their ranks. Flying teenager Lewis Bridger has been nominated for the prestigious Speedway Riders’ Association (SRA) award, and is hot favourite to win it, according to chairman Shane Parker. Glasgow star Parker told Echosport: “Lewis is one of four nominations for the Conference League award with the other three being Buzz Burrows, Jon Armstrong and Ritchie Dennis. A winner has not yet been decided but I can tell you that Lewis is the clear favourite.

“I’m not aware that I’ve ever seen him ride personally, but from what people have told me and looking at his statistics, he’s quite a prospect. The scores he’s been getting for Weymouth this season are amazing and what’s great about the lad is that he’s British. It’s not just because I’m an Aussie, but I do feel Britain is crying out for a few stars in the sport and all the talk is that Lewis could well fit the bill. The votes for these SRA awards come directly from the riders and I think that’s what makes them so special. Regardless of whether Lewis wins it or not, he’s done brilliantly to get down to the last four and I congratulate him on both that achievement and a great season in general.”

Wildcats boss Brian White added: “It’s fantastic news and I don’t think there could be a more worthy winner than Lewis. What he’s accomplished at the age of just 15 is incredible and Weymouth as a town should be very proud of him.”

Tonight’s clash with the Mavericks is officially Weymouth’s last speedway meeting of the season at Radipole Lane, but White and his men will be out to pro-long the campaign by at least one more fixture. “The Knock-Out Cup is what we aimed for all summer and a big win tonight will set us up for the second leg in Wales on October 9,” added White. “If we can take the victory over two legs then we’re into a two-legged final against either Boston or Mildenhall. “That will guarantee at least one more competitive meeting at the Wessex Stadium. It will be two if we can overcome Stoke in the semi-final of the Trophy at Loomer Road tomorrow night.”

New signing Shane Waldron comes straight in for his home debut at reserve while James Clement will ride with a broken sternum sustained in a road traffic accident last weekend. Meanwhile skipper David Mason drops down the order to number four with Dan Giffard at one and Bridger at number five. “It’s just a tactical reshuffle,” explained White. “I want to try something out and that’s why I’ve done it.”
 

CATS NOT GIVING UP ON TITLE BID
By Paul Baker  Wednesday 21 September 2005
WILDCATS boss Brian White has all but conceded the Conference League title - despite his side sitting top of the table. Weymouth climbed to the summit after picking up an aggregate bonus point following their 51-45 defeat at Rye House on Saturday. But with just three away meetings remaining, the Wessex Stadium chief admits that maximum points on their travels probably won't be enough to hold off favourites Oxford. The Silver Dream Academy are currently fourth with at least three matches in hand on the sides above them - Weymouth, Wimbledon and Mildenhall.

White explained: "We're top of the table and you can't ask for any more than that from your team. But whether that's the case come the end of the season remains to be seen. "The way things are shaping up I'd say the championship is Oxford's to lose rather than anyone else's to win. The meetings they've got in hand are going to prove crucial and they should go on and pick up enough points from here. But that's not to say we've given up hope as I'm sure Wimbledon and Mildenhall haven't either. Our draw-back is the fact that all our league matches are now away from home, which obviously makes life a little bit tougher. We've still got to arrange our away match with Oxford, but when we do we'll be taking a one-point advantage from the home leg with us. That's a must-win match for us, as are our trips to Stoke and Newport. Nine points are available to us and we're going to need every single one of them to stand a chance. Beyond that we'll be left relying on a couple of slip ups from Oxford, but you never know what might happen."

While the league title may be slipping from their grasp, the Wildcats are still chasing glory in two other competitions - the Conference Trophy and Conference Knock Out Cup. Semi-finalists in each, White is confident skipper David Mason will be lifting one of the coveted gongs, if not both. We'll win one of them I'm sure," said White, "but I'm confident we can win both. We're a couple of points down after the first leg of the Trophy semi-final against Stoke but are more than capable of clawing that back when we go up there for the second leg this weekend. The Knock-Out Cup is the big one out of the two and we begin our challenge for a place in the final this Friday night. That's when Newport come to the Wessex Stadium in the first leg of that semi-final and then we're back up there on October 9. Whatever happens, it's been an incredible season for us, especially considering we didn't exist just over two years ago. We've already won the Conference League Fours Trophy this year and another piece of silverware would be the icing on the cake."

Wildcats mascot George Piper is recovering at home in Sturminster Newton following a heavy fall at the Wessex Stadium on Friday. The 13-year-old was rushed to Dorset County Hospital after crashing during a second half event. White said: "George seems to be okay, if a little battered and bruised, and is hoping to ride again this week."
 

BONUS KEEPS CATS' HOPES ALIVE
By Paul Baker Monday 19 September 2005
WILDCATS are back on the top of the Conference League despite a 51-45 defeat at Rye House on Saturday night. Having beaten their opponents 53-40 at the Wessex Stadium 24 hours earlier, Weymouth came away from Hoddesdon with the aggregate bonus point, which saw them leap-frog Wimbledon at the summit. And while that keeps their slender title dreams alive and kicking, it probably would have been even better for the visitors had they not lost the services of number two James Clement. The 20-year-old suffered injuries after being involved in a horrific three-vehicle pile-up near Worthing as he travelled home to Eastbourne in the early hours of Saturday morning following Friday’s meeting.

Clement, who is now expected to be out for the rest of the season, was replaced in the side by borrowed Rye House rookie Shane Waldron, while new signing Steve Braidford was unable to complete the required paperwork in time to make his Wildcats debut. Manager Brian White said: "We were up against from the start but obviously what happened to James puts things in perspective. A speedway match becomes very insignificant in comparison and we wish him a speedy recovery. With James out and Steve Braidford unable to ride, it meant we had three rookies in the team and the four points they picked up between them were just not enough. That’s what cost us the win although I’m not having a go at the lads at all. Young Shane, Lewis Dallaway and Dan Kirkman gave it their best shot and they should all be proud of their efforts."

Not for the first time this season, the Wildcats star performer was teenager Lewis Bridger, who returned a bumper 17+1 while Dan Giffard followed up his 15-point maximum in the first clash with a valuable 13 from five outings. However, there was little in the way of support for Weymouth’s top two with David Mason (7) and Tom Brown (4+3) unable to stamp their usual authority on proceedings. The Raiders looked comfortable early on and had built up a big ten-point advantage going into the ninth. But that’s when the visitors hit back in style with Giffard claiming six points as a tactical ride.

Bridger then did the same as he and Brown took heat 12 8-1 to close the Raiders lead to just two points. But two victories for Lee Bowen (15) and seconds from Steve Boxall (11+1) and Barry Burchatt (4+2) in the last three encounters ruined Weymouth’s hopes of a dramatic late comeback. White added: "It was a cracking meeting and the boys did their best. Lewis and Dan were truly magnificent but it wasn’t quite enough on the night. "Personally I now think the league title may have passed us by for another year. I know we’re top but Oxford have a lot of meetings in hand and I just feel it’s for them to lose now, rather than any one else to win."
 

DAN'S THE MAN
By Paul Baker 17 Saturday 17 2005
DAN Giffard boosted Weymouth's Conference League title challenge with an awesome display at the Wessex Stadium last night. The Great Britain international led his side to a comfortable 53-40 victory over Rye House Raiders with a scorching 15-point maximum. Giffard, who has just broken into Hull's Premier League line-up, showed his class by winning all five of his outings with at least four bike lengths to spare. The result, which was achieved with the support of Tom Brown (10 paid 12) and Lewis Bridger (12 paid 13), keeps the Wildcats second in the table, and on course for the bonus point when they meet the Raiders at Hoddesdon this evening.

Wildcats, who blooded 15-year-old rookie Dan Kirkman following Jack Gledhill's shock retirement, got their final home league clash of the season off to a perfect start with David Mason and James Clement nailing a 5-1 in the opener after Raiders pair Ben Powell (two minutes) and Gary Cottham (fell) had both been excluded. But the hosts' lead didn't last long - the visitors replied in the next through Dan Halsey and Cottham who were awarded maximum points after Kirkman twice came to grief. Back came the Wildcats in the shape of Bridger and Brown who left Barry Burchatt and Karl White in their wake, before a 4-2 courtesy of Giffard and Lewis Dallaway moved the home side 15-9 ahead going in to the fifth.

A second Bridger\Brown full house extended then their lead further, as did a 4-2 for Mason and Clement in heat six. Giffard took the chequered flag in a shared seventh but then back came Rye House in heat eight with tactical ride Powell helping collect a much-needed 7-2 success. Wildcats responded with a 4-2 from Brown and Bridger but the Raiders continued to claw their way into contention with a Burchatt/White maximum in the tenth. That made it 34-29 going into the interval and Weymouth maintained their five point advantage in drawn heat 11 won by the impressive Giffard. A brilliant blast around the outside saw Brown hunt down Burchatt in a shared race 12, and  then out came Giffard to maintain his unbeaten record in the next, with captain Mason, who again suffered engine troubles all meeting, taking third.

Weymouth's victory was confirmed by a 4-2 in the penultimate race, won by Bridger in the fastest time of the night of 54.5 seconds, and it was the flying teenager who followed a faultless Giffard home as the Wildcats signed off with a third 5-1 in the last.  Wildcats mascot George Piper was taken to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester last night following a nasty fall while riding in the second half of the meeting. The 13-year-old came down on the opening lap of his first race.
 

MAJOR BLOW AS GLEDHILL QUITS
By Paul Baker  Friday 16 September 2005
WILDCATS treble bid has suffered a major blow ahead of tonight’s Conference League clash against Rye House at the Wessex Stadium (7.30pm). Former Great Britain Under-21 star Jack Gledhill has announced his retirement from the sport with immediate effect. Gledhill, 21, whose father Ian won the National League Riders’ Championship in 1979, blames ‘financial problems’ and a ‘loss of form’ for his shock decision. He said: “I’ve given it a great deal of thought and have decided to call it a day. I’m not going to make it big in the sport and so it’s best I get out now. I’ve been very disappointed with my form this year and it’s hard to put right without spending lots of money on my machinery. Unfortunately it’s money I don’t have. I’d like to thank Weymouth manager Brian White for all his support and also the fans and volunteers at the Wessex Stadium. I’ve really enjoyed my time at the club and I wish the team well in the future.”

Having joined the Wildcats on the eve of their 2004 Conference League campaign, Gledhill averaged an impressive 5.88 at reserve last season which led to an international call-up. He also claimed the coveted Vic Harding Memorial Trophy but has failed to build on that that success this summer. White said: “It’s a shame Jack’s decided to quit, especially this late in the season. He’s one of the nicest guys in speedway and I’ve got nothing but good things to say about him. Unfortunately it hasn’t gone so well for him this year and I know the money’s tight, as it is for most riders. Living in Coventry means he also has a lot of travelling to do and I think he’s just had enough of it all. On behalf of the club, I’d like to thank Jack for his efforts and wish him all the best for the future.”

Gledhill’s departure leaves White with a selection headache this evening as the top of table Wildcats close their home league programme against the Raiders. “Jack’s not a heat leader,” explained the boss,” so we can’t use rider replacement. What I’ll have to do is bring in one of the youngsters like Lewis Dallaway, or Adam Filmer although which one, I’m not sure of yet. Whoever comes in will have a big job to do because it’s make or break for us tonight. If we want to win the league then we have to win this evening and again when we go up to Rye House tomorrow. Anything less than a maximum five points and I think our challenge will be all but over.”
 

GIFFARD HOLDS KEY TO TROPHY BID
By Paul Baker Tuesday 13 September 2005
DAN Giffard holds the key to Weymouth’s faltering Conference Trophy bid. That’s the verdict of manager Brian White following the Wildcats’ surprise semi-final first leg defeat at the hands of Stoke Spitfires at the Wessex Stadium on Friday night. Giffard missed the 46-44 reversal because he was riding for parent club Hull at Somerset in the Premier League, but he’ll be back for the second leg at Loomer Road on September 24. White said: “We threw it away last Friday. We built up a healthy lead early on but let Stoke get back into it. We really missed Dan because he’s almost unbeatable around the Wessex and the rider replacement didn’t really work in our favour. It’s disappointing to be going up there in a couple of week’s time having to play catch up, but with Dan back I’m confident we can do the business and reach the final. We’ve become Stoke’s bogey side  over the past couple of years and I know we can win up there again. Dan’s an ex-Stoke rider, as are David Mason and Tom Brown, so those three know the track really well. Jack Gledhill and Lewis Bridger also go well up there and it’s where we won the Conference League Four Team title earlier this season. The first leg was always going to be tough without Dan but obviously we’re delighted he’s making his way at the higher level. He turned out in the Elite League for Eastbourne at Arena Essex last week and it’s great to see him doing so well. But we’re still in there fighting and battling for a place in the Trophy final and a two-point deficit is nothing in speedway.”

Wildcat supporters were furious with referee Ronnie Allen on Friday after the official awarded the visitors a 5-1 advantage in heat 15 to secure victory for the Spitfires. His decision came after Tom Brown had fallen on lap two with Stoke pair Luke Priest and Barrie Evans well clear of Lewis Bridger in third. Home fans felt the heat should have been re-run because three laps hadn’t been completed – thus handing Bridger a second chance of taking the chequered flag and giving his side a first leg victory. But Mr Allen told Echosport that, contrary to popular belief, heats can be awarded at any stage of a race.

He explained: “Normally heats are re-run if less than three laps have been completed but it doesn’t have to be that way. If a referee feels the result would have been unaltered had a fall not occurred, he is within his rights to award the race. In this case, Luke Priest and Barrie Evans were well clear when Tom Brown fell and I don’t believe Lewis Bridger in third would have caught either of them. It would have been unfair on Stoke had I called for a re-run and I’m happy that I made the right decision. I can understand fans’ frustrations, but Tom fell of his own accord and was not impeded by an opponent in any way.”
 

SPITFIRES GROUND WILDCATS
By Paul Baker Saturday 10 September 2005
WEYMOUTH’S Conference Trophy dreams were shattered in controversial fashion at the Wessex Stadium last night. Wildcats fans were left fuming after referee Ronnie Allen awarded Stoke Spitfires a 5-1 victory in a last heat decider to hand the visitors a 46-44 semi-final advantage to take to Loomer Road for the second leg in a fortnight’s time. Having gone into that concluding race defending a 43-41 lead, the hosts were soon in trouble as Luke Priest and Barrie Evans blazed from the tapes leaving home pair Lewis Bridger and Tom Brown in their wake. Brown then came down on the second lap with Mr Allen calling the race as it stood, instead of ordering a re-run – something he was quite entitled to do. Weymouth’s management, riders and spectators were all astonished by the decision, which in turn sparked wild celebrations in the Spitfires’ half of the pits.

Phil Bartlett, Wildcats co-chairman, said: “We were robbed – simple as that. The race should have been re-run and we are all very annoyed and disappointed to say the least. “Tom suffered a serious rib injury in that fall and the decision to award the race implies that he came down deliberately to get the race stopped and re-started. Stoke’s riding tactics left plenty to be desired and it just seems that every decision went against tonight.”

Recently crowned Wessex Pairs champions David Mason and Jack Gledhill got the Wildcats off to a winning start with a 4-2 success in the opener, with James Clement and Matt Bates doing likewise in heat two. That gave the hosts an early 8-4 lead and they forged further ahead thanks to some great team riding from Mason and Brown in the next when they took a superb full house after visiting skipper Priest was forced off a 15-metre handicap for a tapes offence. Stoke’s response was immediate with Evans and Kris Irving easily holding off Lewis Bridger and Matt Bates in heat four, but Bridger made up for that disappointment by cruising home in a shared race five. The brilliant Mason took his third chequered flag as he and Gledhill collected another 4-2 in the next, and it was a similar story for Bridger and Clement who extended the Wildcats lead to 25-17 in heat seven.

Gledhill then defied the odds by getting up and walking away unscathed after a horrific crash in race eight – the Coventry-based youngster smashed into the back of Spitfire Gary Flint, whose machine suddenly locked up and ground to a halt coming out of turn two on the opening lap. Flint and Gledhill (two minutes) were excluded from the re-run, which Irving won for the visitors in front of Clement and Bates. Evans got the better of Brown in a thrilling drawn heat nine, and the ex-Wimbledon man came straight out to partner Priest to a 5-1 in the next. That came courtesy of an engine failure suffered by Mason on the start line, helping the visitors narrow the scoreline to 32-28 going into the interval. Bridger nailed an excellent tapes to flag victory in a shared heat 11, while Priest repeated the dose in the 12th.  Sparks then flew in more ways than one during an incident-packed heat 13, which was won by Evans ahead of Bridger and Grant.

It was Grant’s questionable riding style – the Stoke number one seemed to catch Mason with his elbows throughout – that led to some pushing and shoving at the pit gate as tempers began to fray during a tense encounter. After calm had been restored, out came Brown to win a shared penultimate contest and set up what should have a mouth-watering last heat decider. But it was to all end in failure for the Wildcats after Brown came to grief, and it’s the Spitfires who are now favourites to reach the competition final. Wildcats manager Brian White added: “Stoke rode it hard and seemed determined not to be beaten under any circumstances. We’re disappointed because we threw it away but I know we can go up to there place and win. Being without Dan Giffard hurt us badly but I still believe we can lift the Trophy despite this result."
 

CATS TROPHY TRAIL
By Paul Baker  Friday 9 September 2005
WEYMOUTH will be out to justify their Conference Trophy favourites tag when they entertain Stoke Spitfires in the semi-final first leg at the Wessex Stadium tonight (7.30pm). But the Wildcats will have to do it with out their top points scorer, Dan Giffard. The Great Britain Under-21 star is riding for parent club Hull in Premier League fixture at Somerset this evening, with Weymouth forced to operate rider replacement. Boss Brian White said: "It's a blow losing Dan because he is such a talented rider. But a week ago we thought he was out for the rest of the season anyway after he suffered a bad muscle injury in his groin. I then got a call from him to say he would he fit to ride for at Scunthorpe in the league on Sunday and his 13 points up there won us both the meeting and the bonus point. It would have been great to have him available against Stoke, but Hull have been good to us this season over Dan's availability and I think this is the last time there'll be a clash."
 
White, whose men are also chasing glory in the Conference League and Knock-Out Cup, reckons tonight's fixture is the club's biggest since re-forming in 2003 and he hopes that will be reflected in the size of the crowd. It's massive," he admitted, "and definitely the biggest meeting we've hosted since we brought speedway back to the town. Weymouth and Stoke are two fairly equally matched teams and so it promises to be action all the way "We'll be going all out to build a decent lead to take to their place for the second leg on September 24 and the crowd certainly have a big part to play. If they flock to the Wessex Stadium in large numbers and really get behind the boys then that's going to act like a six or eight point advantage before we start. The club set out to deliver a successful speedway team that the town can be proud of and that's exactly what we've done. Now we need the town to get behind us and show that they really do want a speedway side in Weymouth."
 
One man who could have thrown a spanner in the Wildcats works tonight is their former skipper Justin Elkins who joined the Spitfires after being sacked by White last season. But that danger passed when the Poole-based rider announced his retirement following a meeting to forget when Stoke were beaten 53-40 at Radipole Lane in the league last month. "Justin's one of those riders who has all sorts of mechanical problems," explained White, "but who is devastating when he gets it right. When Stoke came down the other week I think he had three or four engine failures and ended up quitting speedway because of it. It's a shame because he's undoubtedly talented but that's the way it goes in this sport."
 

JENSEN DEAL IS BLOCKED
By Paul Baker  8 September 2005
WILDCATS have been refused permission to sign Premier League star Steen Jensen from the Isle of Wight. Boss Brian White wanted the Denmark-born rider as cover as the Wessex Stadium for the rest of the season. Having agreed terms with the Jensen, the Islanders and parent club Eastbourne Eagles, the deal was last night blocked by Conference League officials. White explained: "Everything seemed to be sorted and I was sure the league would agree to the move. No foreigners can ride in the Conference unless they are from a Commonwealth country and have a British mother or father, but in Steen case things were different. Although born in Denmark, he has a Scottish mother and is qualified to ride for Great Britain. He rides on a British licence and has a British passport so I don't see how he can classed as foreign. Unfortunately the Conference League see it differently and have refused me permission to sign on the basis that he is foreign. It's a crazy situation and I'm not pleased about it but there's nothing I can do. Steen would have been quality at this level but it's now dead in the water."

White had hoped to track Jensen against Stoke in the Conference Trophy semi-final first leg at the Wessex Stadium tomorrow night in place of Dan Giffard who is riding for parent club Hull in the Premier League at Somerset. "Dan recently signed a contract with Hull," explained White, "and so they have first call on the lad. It's a blow, but it's not likely to happen very often and so we'll just have to get on with it."
 

WILDCATS IN CHASE FOR PREMIER STAR JENSEN
By Paul Baker Wednesday 7 September 2005
WEYMOUTH look like succeeding in an audacious bid to bring crack Premier League star Steen Jensen to the Wessex Stadium. The Danish-born former Eastbourne Eagles Elite League rider is expected to join the Wildcats later this week. Boss Brian White is awaiting clearance from Conference League officials to finalise the deal, which he describes as being one of the biggest in the competition's history. He said: "We are going to need cover between now and the end of the season because riders such as David Mason and Dan Giffard commitments which mean they'll miss a couple of meetings. At first I didn't think there was any hope of getting Steen because I assumed he rode on a foreign licence, but it turns out his mother is Scottish which makes him qualified to ride for Great Britain.

"Only riders from Commonwealth countries can ride in the Conference League, and only then if one of their parents is actually British. "The other issue was whether his average fitted. Any rider who started the Premier League season with an average of more than 4.50 is also unavailable to ride Conference League speedway but fortunately Steen's was 3.63." He added: "As far as I can make out he qualifies on all counts and is certainly very keen" to help us out. All I'm waiting for now is clearance from the league and once that comes I'm hoping to do the deal. If it does happen then it will be a great coup for the club and will also be one of the biggest signings ever made by a Conference League club."

White reckons the arrival of Jensen will further enhance his side's Conference League, Knock-Out-Cup and Trophy treble ambitions, which were boosted at the weekend by the surprise return from injury of Great Britain international Giffard. White explained: "If we get him on board I'd be surprised'if we lost too many meetings again this year. "He's an Eastbourne asset and we've got a tremendous relationship with them and he's a good friend of our own Lewis Bridger. Everyone seems happy including the Isle of Weight it's just a case of waiting for confirmation from the Conference League. Jensen, who is standing by to replace the unavailable Giffard in Friday's Conference Trophy semi-final first leg against Stoke at the Wessex Stadium, began his a with Swedish League club Kaparna and has also enjoyed spells with Pila in Poland Danish outfits Grindsted and Brovst. In 2001 he finished fourth in the Danish Under-21 final and has seven Elite League outings with Eastbourne to his name.
 

FANS IN FOR A TREAT AS KIDS GO FREE
By Paul Baker Tuesday 6 September 2005
SPEEDWAY fans are in for a treat on Friday night at Weymouth’s Wessex Stadium. That’s where the Wildcats take on Stoke Spitfires in what is being billed as one of the biggest meetings in the club’s history. The rivals clash in first leg of the Conference Trophy semi-final – one of the sport’s most prestigious national competitions. With both sides going all out to gain a healthy advantage to take to Potteries for the second leg later this month, it promises to be a cracker with top class racing guaranteed. Victory for Weymouth  will keep their incredible treble dream alive with the Wildcats currently top of the Conference League table and through to the semi finals of the Knock Out Cup.

And chairman Brian White is calling on support from all four corners of Dorset to help his side achieve an amazing hat trick of silverware. He said: "We are on the verge of something really big at Weymouth and I’d urge the public to come and back our treble bid. Friday’s meeting with Stoke promises to be a spectacular night’s entertainment with two of the Conference League’s top sides going head to head. At Weymouth we have one of the sport’s top youngsters in 15-year-old Lewis Bridger and it’s worth the entrance fee alone to watch him in action. No brakes, no gears, no fear. That’s speedway racing and it’s certainly one of the most action-packed and family friendly sports there is."

Children under the age of 16 will be admitted free on Friday if accompanied by an adult with gates at the Wessex Stadium opening at 6.30pm. The first race is due off at 7.30pm and the track boasts hot food and refreshment facilities, a club shop and a fully licensed bar.
 

BACK THE CATS
By Paul Baker Tuesday 6 September 2005
 WEYMOUTH boss Brian White has called on the town to back the Wildcats bid for an amazing league and cup treble. As the speedway season enters its final countdown, the Wessex Stadium outfit are still going strong in three of the sport's major competitions. Currently top of the Conference League, the Wildcats are also chasing glory in the Conference Knock-Out Cup and Conference Trophy, having reached the semi-final stages of both.

 "We're on the verge of something really big," said White, "and I'd be very surprised if we didn't pick up two of the three trophies on offer. We want all three and that's what we'll be going all out to achieve. On the other side of the coin, it could be that our season falls completely flat and we end up with nothing although it would take a lot of poor speedway and some bad luck for that to happen. I'm confident and so are the team, but we can't do it on our own. What we need is the town to back us and get to the Wessex Stadium in big numbers. Our hardcore fans are some of the best in speedway and we are really grateful for their tremendous support. But I'd love to see a few hundred more turning out between now and the end of the season because the atmosphere would then be worth at least half a dozen in our favour before the engines are even fired up."

 The Wildcats re-new their quest for honours on Friday when Stoke arrive at Radipole Lane in the first leg of the Trophy semi-final. White said: "It should be a cracker. Two good sides going flat out for a place in the final will guarantee some top class racing. When you equate speedway to football, the position we're would be the same as if the Terras were top of Conference South, in the semi finals of FA Trophy and their old League Cup competition. "If that was the case, which is could well be later come March or April, you'd be looking at crowds of 2,000 to 2,500 watching them every week.

 "Speedway might not be as big as football but it's a real family sport and I'd urge anyone who hasn't been to a meeting to take the opportunity to do so. We've got a really successful team at the Wessex Stadium and I'd personally like to invite supporters old and new to come and see the action."
 

GIFFARD GETS WILDCATS BACK ON TRACK
By Paul Baker Monday 5 September 2005
WEYMOUTH staged a spirited fightback at Scunthorpe yesterday to get their Conference League title challenge back on track. After back-to-back defeats to Wimbledon last week, the top of the table Wildcats looked to be heading for another reversal as the Scorpions made a flying start at Normaby Road. With just three heats gone, the hosts had opened up a 12-6 lead and were well on the way to overturning their opponents 54-42 advantage from the first leg in Dorset earlier in the summer. But solid displays from Dan Giffard (13), Lewis Bridger (12) and Tom Brown (7) helped the Wildcats record a 48-42 success to bank both the match points and aggregate bonus point.

Giffard proved Weymouth’s real hero on his return to action following a serious groin injury. He took the chequered flag three times from five outings and finished second in his other two races. Manager Brian White said: “Dan was outstanding and it was like he’d never been away. To come back from a serious injury and ride that well first time out just shows what a top rider he is. Having him back has given our season a huge boost, as has the three points he and the rest of the boys collected at Scunthorpe.”

Having fallen behind, Weymouth clawed their way back slowly, but surely and it was all square at 36-36 going into what proved a decisive heat 13. That saw the visitors collect their one and only 5-1 maximum of the meeting with Bridger leading skipper David Mason over the line. Jack Gledhill and James Clement followed up with a 4-2 in the next, with Giffard cruising home in race 15 to ensure all three points for the Wildcats. White added: “Scunthorpe have only been beaten once at home this season so that was a cracking performance from the boys.  It was one of those rare meetings where our captain David Mason had an off day which is so unlike him and yet the rest of the team rallied round and did the business.”
 

LEWIS IN UNDER-18 BID
By Paul Baker Monday 05 September 2005
LEWIS Bridger will be among the leading contenders in tonight’s Great Britain Under-18 Champ-ionship final at Wolverhampton’s Monmore Green (7.30pm). And Weymouth’s exciting teenage prospect is full of confidence as he prepares for one of the biggest meetings of his fledging career. He explained: “I don’t really get nervous about things and tonight’s no different. I’ll be going there looking to do well but I won’t let the occasion get to me. It’s a big championship with a big prize but I can’t afford to let that get in my head. I know I have the ability to beat my opponents and I’m just hoping to leave the mechanical gremlins behind for a night.”

By his own admission, 15-year-old Bridger is lucky to be in a fit state to ride following a horrific fall in the deciding heat 15 of the Wildcats narrow Conference League defeat at Wimbledon last Wednesday. The youngster was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken jaw, but was back in action on Friday in the pairs meeting at the Wessex Stadium. I remember going into the bend and next thing I knew I was waking up in hospital,” he explained. "I was a bit battered and bruised but there was no serious damage and so I just thought it best to get back riding as soon as possible.”

Bridger faces some strong competition in the Midlands tonight with one of his main rivals being ex-Weymouth team mate Lee Smart. Also lining up will be British Under-15 champion Josh Auty along with Chris Johnson who turned out for the Wildcats last summer.
 

Wessex Pair Championship
2005 Friday 2 September 2005
DAVID Mason was in devastating form during the Weymouth Open Pairs Championship at the Wessex Stadium last night. The Wildcats captain scorched to a five-race maximum to land the inaugural title with partner Jack Gledhill. Together, the home-based duo bagged a bumper 31 points – five clear of their nearest rivals Tom Brown and James Clement. Youngsters Lewis Bridger and Robert Smith (23) claimed third place on the rostrum ahead of former Radipole Lane favourite Danny Warwick and James Purchase (21). A delighted Mason said: “It might not have been a league or cup meeting but it was certainly just as competitive. All the boys were keen to prove a point and I’m really pleased to have won the competition. Collecting a five heat maximum is great and goes some way to making up for the disappointment of our two defeats to Wimbledon in the Conference League this week. But I couldn’t have won it without some top riding from Jack Gledhill who picked some crucial points along the way. We’ve always ridden well together for Weymouth and I think this result proves we work well as a pair.”

After blazing from tapes to chequered flag in his opener race in heat three, Mason never looked like getting beaten on a night of first class speedway at the Wessex Stadium. And he and Gledhill’s hopes of success were further boosted when talented Aussie Karlis Ezergailis was forced to withdraw from the meeting following just two outings after cracking the frame on his machine. That left partner Tyron Proctor to battle on alone and he deserves credit for remaining competitive throughout on his way to 11 points and fifth place overall.

Of the other partnerships, Bridger and Smith had threatened early in the meeting but mechanical problems saw their challenge end in disappointment, while Brown and Clement were both impressive but they just didn’t have the class and consistency of Mason and Gledhill. Meanwhile Kiwi Andrew Bargh picked up an excellent 12 points but his team mate Paul Candy could only manage two from a possible 20.

Mason, who finished fourth in the Conference League Riders Championship at Rye House last weekend, gated superbly throughout and it was no surprise when he clocked the fastest time of the night in heat five of 55.2 seconds. Mason added: “It was a good work out for the all the Weymouth lads and it puts us in good shape for tomorrow’s big meeting. “That’s a match we’ve got to win to get our title challenge back on the rails and I confident we can go there and do a good job.”
 

GIFFARD FIT TO MAKE A SURPRISE RETURN
By Paul Baker  Saturday 3 September 2005
DAN Giffard is set to make a shock return for the Wildcats tomorrow. The Great Britain Under 21 international has been named in Weymouth’s side to face Scunthorpe in the Conference League at Normanby Road. Giffard had been expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season after a tearing a muscle in his groin three weeks ago. However, a rapid recovery means he’s fit and raring to go again, much to the relief of manager Brian White. “I, like most people, had written Dan off until next summer,” explained White. “It was a nasty injury which looked like needing a lot of rest and I certainly didn’t expect him back this quick. But Dan called me yesterday and said he was feeling good again and was ready to ride. He’s a sensible lad and not the sort to take unnecessary risks and so I’ve no reason to doubt what he says. It might take a few races before he’s in the groove fully again but I’m just delighted to have him his back. He’s a special talent and a great team man and it definitely boosts our chances of silverware this season.”

Weymouth travel to Lincolnshire looking to defend a 54-42 advantage from the first leg at the Wessex Stadium in May, which would see them pick up the bonus point. White added: “A win up there is crucial for us, especially after our two defeats this week to Wimbledon. If we can get the win then we get the bonus point as well so it’s vital the boys are on the gas right from the very start. “With Dan back and David Mason in great form, we’ve got every chance. Tom Brown and Lewis Bridger are also going well at the moment and there’s a few more points coming in at reserve these days which is just as important.”
 

BRUISED BRIDGER IN FOR PAIRS
By Paul Baker Friday 2 September 2005
LEWIS Bridger has been given the all clear following his horrific crash at Wimbledon on Wednesday night. The talented Wildcats youngster was rushed to hospital in South London with a suspected fractured jaw after coming to grief at high speed during an explosive last heat decider in the 46-44 defeat at Plough Lane. Bridger, 15, lay motionless on the track for more than 15 minutes but x-rays have revealed nothing more than heavy bruising. The youngster will ride in tonight's Weymouth Open Pairs Championship at the Wessex Stadium (7.30pm) and takes his place at Scunthorpe in the Conference League on Sunday.

Weymouth boss Brian White said: "Lewis took an almighty fall and we all feared the very worst. Initial reports suggested he'd fractured his jaw but fortunately he's okay. "Obviously he's battered and bruised and I think he's chipped a couple of teeth for his troubles, but it's a great relief to know it's no worse than that. Aside from injured heat leader Dan Giffard, there will be several Wildcats taking part in tonight's 15-heat showdown.

"Pairs speedway is always very exciting," added White, "and the Weymouth Open should prove no exception. The boys might be friends off the track, but on it they'll be giving it their all. I'm still working on the final line-up, but it will feature most of the Weymouth riders and a few very good guests. It makes a nice change from the rigours of league and cup speedway and present riders with an ideal opportunity to try a few things out and find some form."
 

BRIDGER'S HORROR SMASH AS WILDCATS FALL TO DONS
By Paul Baker  Thursday 1 September 2005
WIMBLEDON DONS 46 WEYMOUTH  WILDCATS 44 (Wimbledon win 92-88)
WIMBLEDON dented Weymouth's Conference League title hopes for the second time in 48 hours last night. After scoring a narrow 46-44 success at the Wessex Stadium on Monday, the South London outfit repeated the exercise in a thrilling meeting at Plough Lane. A 5-1 maximum from Buzz Burrows and Grant MacDonald gave the Dons victory, in what proved a very costly final race for the Dorset visitors. As well as surrendering the match points, the Wildcats saw their star teenager Lewis Bridger rushed to hospital with a suspected broken jaw and whiplash injuries following a high speed crash during that explosive last-heat decider.

Phil Bartlett, Weymouth's co-chairman, said: "It was a cracking meeting, just like the one at home on Monday. It again came down to heat 15 and had Lewis not crashed, I'm sure we would have won. He suffered a really nasty fall and had to be rushed to hospital by ambulance. Nothing is confirmed at this stage, but it looks like he's fractured his jaw, lost a couple of teeth and damaged his neck as well. We're waiting for his injuries to be confirmed but it will be a huge blow if they turn out to be as bad as suspected. We've already lost Dan Giffard for the rest of the season and losing Lewis will be just as big a blow. But at this stage all we are concerned about is the lad's health and we all wish him a very speedy recovery"

Things began well for the Wildcats with wins from Bridger and James Clement helping them open up an early 9-3 advantage. However, a full house for Matthew Wright and MacDonald in heat three narrowed the gap to two points, and that's how it stayed following six shared encounters. Wimbledon drew level thanks to a Danny Betson\Scott James 4-2 in the tenth, but back came Weymouth to restore their lead courtesy of David Mason and Jack Gledhill in the next. Dons' riders took the chequered flag in the next three races, but with Wildcats packing the minor places in each of them, it meant the visitors held a 43-41 advantage going into that crucial final heat.

Initially it looked good for Weymouth as captain David Mason and Bridger tracked leader Burrows with McDonald back in last place. But then MacDonald managed to sneak past Bridger just before the Wildcat came to grief. The teenager, who received lengthy treatment from paramedics before being taken to hospital, was excluded from the re-run, in which MacDonald managed to hold off Mason to take second place behind team mate Burrows. That 5-1 maximum secured successive 46-44 victories for the Dons, along with a bonus point to boost their own title credentials. Bartlett added: "The boys can be pleased with their efforts and had the luck been with us then the result might have been different. David Mason (10+1), Lewis (14) and Tom Brown (8+1) all worked hard and there was good support from the rest of the team which was encouraging."
 

HAIL KING LEWIS
By Paul Baker Saturday 29 October 2005
King of the Wessex: 1 Lewis Bridger 2 David Mason 3 Chris Johnson  LEWIS Bridger bid farwell to the Wildcats in sensational style, as the curtain fell on Weymouth's 2005 speedway season last night.  The teenage wonderkid, who is set to join Elite League giants Eastbourne Eagles next year, signed off by being crowned the undisputed King of the Wessex at Radipole Lane.  After ermerging unbeaten from five qualifying heats, the brilliant 15-year-old cruised home in the final ahead of David mason, Chris Johnson and Dan Giffard.  The title adds to an impressive haul of honours collected by Bridger this season including Conference League rider of the year, British young rider of the year, Bronze Helmet champion, Conference League Fours and Knock Out Cup winners medals, a Great Britain international cap and the Wessex Stadium track record. 

Bridger said: "I'm sorry to be leaving Weymouth because I've had a wonderful year with the club but this is a nice way to finish. My expectations were high coming into what has been my first season in speedway, but I've exceded even my wildest dreams.  "It's all been a bit of a wirlwind really but I've enjoyed every moment of it. Everyone at Weymouth has been so supportive and kind towards me and I'd like to say a big thank you to them all, especially manager Brian White and all the fans. I've received so many compliments which is great but I've honestly no idea how good I am and how far I can go. The only way to find out is to move up and ride at the highest possible level and that's what I'll be doing next season.  Whatever happens, I'll never forget Weymouth in a hurry. It's the club that gave me my break in speedway and anything I achieve in the future will be for them. I'm looking forward to the future but any chance I get to come back to the Wessex Stadium to visit or to ride, I'll be there."

After watching another breathtaking Bridger display, former Weymouth training school chief and speedway legend  Lew Coffin compared the departing youngster to one of the Wildcats most famous sons - the late, great Simon Wigg. "I have worked with thousands of riders in my time and Lewis Bridger is definately a world champion in the making," said Coffin. "The best two lads I've seen at his age are Simon Wigg and Mark Loram - both of whom went on to be crowned world champion at long track and speedway respectively. Lewis is as good as both of them at the same stage of their careers, if not better, and I've no doubt he will reach the very top. What's sets him aside from all others is his incrediable maturity and ability to think quickly while hurtling into a corner on a motorbike with no brakes or gears at 60 mph. But he dosen't just think quickly, he acts quickly as well and that's the difference between being a good rider and an exceptional rider." He added: "Weymouth has a great tradition for proceeding world class stars such as Wiggy, Steve Schofield and Martin Yeates. Now they can add Lewis Bridger to that impressive list."
 

FANS CHANCE TO BID FAREWELL TO BRIDGER
By Paul Baker  Friday  October 2005
WILDCATS fans have one last chance tonight to salute their heroes before the curtain comes down on the 2005 speedway season.  Weymouth's Conference League side will all be lining up in the King of the Wessex Individual Championship at Radipole Lane tonight (tapes up 7.30pm). Team boss White has described this evening's action as a 'celebration' of what has been a truly sensational campaign. He explained: "It's party time tonight and hope all our supporters will turn out and celebrate a great season for the Wildcats. It's our first home meeting since we won the Conference Knock-Out Cup and the boys will be parading that along with the Fours title we won earlier in the year. On top of that, we reached the Trophy semi-finals and finished third in the Conference League so there's certainly plenty to cheer about.  All the Weymouth boys are taking part in the King of the Wessex along with some invited guests such as Chris Johnson and Dean Felton "It should be a cracking night and I'm looking forward to thanking all our fans for their wonderful backing this summer."

One rider Weymouth fans will almost certainly be seeing for the very last time tonight is teenage sensation Lewis Bridger. The brilliant youngster, who turns 16 next month, is expected to join Elite League Eastbourne Eagles next season where he will ride at reserve. White added: "What a find Lewis has been and if anyone deserves a big send off tonight, it's him. It looks certain that he'll be going to Eastbourne and I'm absolutely delighted for him. In one season at Weymouth, Lewis has been crowned Bronze Helmet champion, British Under-18 runner-up, Conference League rider of the year and British young rider of the year. He rode as the pre-Grand Prix entertainment at the Millennium Stadium, won his first international cap and is the Wessex Stadium record holder. Not bad for a 15-year-old!"
 

CATS SECURE THIRD DESPITE HEAVY LOSS
By Paul Baker  Monday 24 October 2005
STOKE SPITFIRES 63 - WEYMOUTH  WILDCATS 32 Stoke take bonus paint 103-85 on agg
 WILDCATS ended their Conference League campaign with a heavy defeat at Stoke on Saturday night. Brian White's threadbare side  missing top two David Mason and Lewis Bridger  were gunned down 63-32 by the Spitfires at Loomer Road. Despite the loss, Weymouth still had plenty to celebrate, having collected enough points to secure an excellent third place finish in the table.

 White said: "It was a disappointing way to end our league programme, but it was always going to be difficult without David and Lewis. We tracked probably our youngest and most inexperienced team ever and they did the club proud. "Winning the meeting was always unlikely and so our priority was getting the 26 points we required to move above Mildenhall and clinch third behind Oxford and Wimbledon. We did that which was tremendous and third place in the table together with the Conference League Fours title, the Knock-Out Cup, a Trophy semi-final appearance and Lewis' Bronze Helmet victory, represents a magnificent season for the Wildcats."

Weymouth, who borrowed Stokes' fledgling reserve Joe Reynolds, got off to a flying start thanks to a Tom Brown \Danny Hughes 5-1 in the opener. However, the visitors managed just one other race winner after that - a double points tactical triumph for Dan Giffard in the sixth. In all, Spitfires shot in seven 5-1's with Barrie Evans (12) collecting a full house from  four  outings  while  Jack Hargreaves (13+2) and Luke Priest (13+2) each returned paid maximums.

Brown (11) and Giffard (11) scored more than half of Weymouth's points between them, but their efforts couldn't prevent the hosts from riding off with the bonus point for completing a 103-85 aggregate success. White added: "It's been a long, tough campaign and the boys are looking forward to a well-earned break. We've got one more meeting at home on Friday and that will definitely be a celebration of a fantastic season."
 

CATS EYE BIG FINISH AT STOKE
By Matt Pitman Saturday 22 October 2005
WILDCATS aim to secure a third place Conference League finish tonight missing two star riders. Weymouth travel to Stoke Spitfires (7.30pm) without the services of dynamic duo David Mason and Lewis Bridger. Skipper Mason is attending a family wedding, while Conference League Rider of the Year Bridger has pulled out to rest ahead of his Great Britain under-18's appearance tomorrow.

But boss Brian White insists his under-strength side are more than capable of doing enough in the Potteries to pip Mildenhall to third place. He said: "We beat Stoke 53-40 down here in the league and so if we earn the bonus point up there tonight or score 26 from the meeting we'll do enough to earn a third place finish. That would cap a great few days what with our Conference Knock-Out Cup success last weekend. Being without David and Lewis definitely  makes  life  harder, because they are class riders and have both played a big part in our success, but we're still more than capable of getting a result. David's attending a family wedding and Lewis wants to rest ahead of his ride for Britain under-18s against Buxton tomorrow. It's a shame not having them available, but I can't complain because of what they've done for us this year."

 Weymouth plan to operate rider replacement for Mason, while Lewis Dallaway comes in at number six. White's enforced reshuffle sees flying Welshman Tom Brown take over as heat leader and James Clement move to number three.  After tonight's meeting at Stoke, Weymouth fans have just one more speedway meeting this season, the individual King of the Wessex event at Radipole Lane next Friday.

 White added: "It's been a wonderful season what with the Knock-Out Cup, Conference League Fours title, Trophy semi-finals and all those honours Lewis Bridger has picked up over the summer. We also saw Dan Giffard in the British Under-21's final and it has all added up to the most successful campaign in Weymouth's history and the boys should be very proud. The meeting next week will be a chance to parade the Knock-Out trophy and end what has been a terrific season in style."
 

MONUMENTAL MASON LEADS WILDCATS TO VICTORY
By Paul Baker Monday 17 October 2005
EXPERIENCED hand David Mason has won a few speedway races in his time, but none more important than his heat seven success in yesterday’s Conference Knock-Out Cup final second leg at West Row. With holders Mildenhall fast wrestling the silverware from Weymouth’s grasp, it was win or bust for the Wildcats as their skipper went to tapes sporting a back and white tactical double points helmet cover. Trailing 24-13 on the day, the visitors had seen their 14-point advantage from the first leg at the Wessex Stadium on Friday all but wiped out by the Fen Tigers, despite the meeting being less than halfway through.

It was the visitors’ last throw of the dice and with that sort of pressure and an unhelpful outside gate to contend with, Mason would have been forgiven for cracking under the strain. But cometh the hour, cometh the man captain marvel roared to the chequered flag with team-mate Tom Brown following him across the line. That earned Weymouth a match saving 8-1 success, and ultimately the first national seven-man title in the club’s history. Defending a 54-40 first leg lead, Lewis Bridger opened the Wildcats’ account superbly with a tapes-to-flag victory in a shared heat one.

And the visitors were heading for three more points in the second until James Purchase edged past James Clement to help the hosts and a 4-2. Mildenhall’s hopes of retaining the trophy received a huge boost in the next as ex-Radipole Lane pair Mark Thompson and Chris Johnson stormed to an easy 5-1. That made it 12-6 to the Fen Tigers, and they maintained that six-point gap following a drawn fourth encounter, won by Dan Giffard. A second Thompson\Johnson maximum propelled the home side further ahead after heat five, prompting visiting boss Brian White to send out Giffard as a double points ride in the sixth. But that move proved frustrating for the Dorset outfit, with Armstrong collecting victory by a bike’s length over his opponent in a shared 4-4.

However, it was a very different story in that memorable heat seven, which will long be remembered by Weymouth’s large band of travelling supporters. Fen Tigers responded with a 4-2 in the eighth, courtesy of Andrew Bargh and Purchase, leaving the showdown delicately poised at 69-78 on aggregate going into the interval. A thrilling heat nine saw Giffard just fail to get around the outside of Johnson, and with Thompson finishing third, Mildenhall were still snapping hard at the Wildcats’ heels.

And the Fen Tigers had Weymouth fans biting their fingernails by moving to within just three points of their rivals after a Bargh\Armstrong 5-1 in race ten. White’s response was to play his last available tactical card, sending Brown out in heat 11 as a double pointer off a handicap of 15 metres  a gamble that brought a 5-2 reward as the Welshman dived through to third spot behind Smart and race winner Bridger. A shared heat 12, in which Thompson held off Brown and Waldron, set up a mouth watering 13th featuring big four Armstrong, Smart, Giffard and Bridger. And the talented quartet didn’t disappoint during a simply breathtaking affair, won by Armstrong with Giffard and Bridger bucking and rearing their way to three more crucial points behind him.

That left Weymouth needing one heat success from two remaining races for glory, and it was fitting that skipper Mason and battling reserve Waldron should be the pairing who secured the cup in heat 14 and spark wild celebrations in the Wildcats’ half of the pits. And while the final encounter may have been meaningless in terms of the result, it meant everything to Conference League rider of the year Bridger, who ended the meeting as he began it with a chequered flag.
 

WILDCATS ROAR
By Paul Baker Saturday 15 October 2005
WEYMOUTH have one hand gripped tightly on the Conference Knock Out Cup following a classic night of speedway at the Wessex Stadium. In front of a bumper Radipole Lane crowd – which included Kiwi dirt track legend and six times world champion Ivan Mauger – the Wildcats roared to a stunning 54-40 final first leg victory over holders Mildenhall. Double figure hauls from Lewis Bridger, Dan Giffard and David Mason helped Brian White’s side rack up a 14-point advantage to take to West Row for the second leg tomorrow – a lead that should be enough to lift the silverware, according to the manager. White said: “You never know what’s around the corner in speedway, but I think 14 points could well be enough. I would have been happy with a ten-point lead, so obviously I’m delighted. But of all the teams in the competition, Mildenhall are the ones capable of overturning that sort of deficit, especially on their home track. However, if we ride to our strengths and work hard as a unit, I really believe we can do it.”

Last night’s thriller got off to a cracking start with an all-action opening heat which saw visiting skipper Jon Armstrong and team mate Andrew Bargh split by Lewis Bridger. That gave the Fen Tigers an ominous-looking early advantage but the Wildcats responded immediately with reserves James Clement and Shane Waldron collecting a 5-1 maximum in the second. Weymouth extended their lead thanks to a 4-2 from David Mason and Tom Brown in the third, and it was a similar story in heat four with ex-Wessex Stadium favourite Lee Smart coming between Dan Giffard and Waldron. That put the Wildcats 15-9 in front, and they maintained the six-point gap after a shared race five, won by Armstrong.

A storming victory from Bridger helped the hosts record a third 4-2 success in the sixth, followed by a breathtaking Giffard ride in the next. Having come out of the second bend some 20 metres behind Smart, the Wildcats’ number five clung bravely to the outside before finally catching his opponent on the line for a share of the spoils. Mildenhall reduced the deficit in fine style in heat eight, with Bargh and Purchase powering to an easy 5-1 over Waldron and the disappointing Hughes. But anything the Fen Tigers could do, so could the Wildcats – Mason and Brown returning the compliment with even greater panache in race nine.  And it was the hosts who were still smiling at the interval, which was reached with a 4-2 in the tenth from Bridger and Clement, albeit after Thompson suffered an engine failure on the final bend when holding third.

Trailing by ten points, visiting boss Mick Horton predictably sent Armstrong out as a double points tactical ride in heat 11, but the Mildenhall number one failed to make it pay, finishing second behind Giffard. A drawn race 12, in which Brown took the chequered flag, put the Wildcats 41-33 up going into what proved a lucky 13th for the hosts. Up against crack Fen Tigers pair Armstrong and Smart, Giffard and Bridger cruised from the tapes to nail a crucial 5-1 maximum. Mildenhall suffered another failed tactical assault when Johnson could only cross the line second behind Mason and in front of Clement in the penultimate contest, which gave Weymouth a 50-38 cushion with just one race remaining. And the Dorset side’s hopes of lifting the cup tomorrow were given a further boost in that closing encounter, with Bridger and Giffard collecting an important 4-2 to earn the Wildcats that 14-point advantage to take to Suffolk.
 

CATS GO FOR A KNOCK-OUT
By Paul Baker Friday 14 October 2005
WEYMOUTH are boosted by the return of James Clement for tonight’s Conference Knock-Out Cup final first leg against holders Mildenhall at the Wessex Stadium (7.30pm). The Sussex-based rider missed Sunday’s semi-final success at Newport, forcing the Wildcats to operate with just six riders. And while the numerical disadvantage failed to halt his side’s progress, boss Brian White is relieved to be at full strength for the visit of the Fen Tigers. He explained: “We’ve had to go with six riders only in our last three meetings and it’s just asking too much. We got away with it in the cup match at Newport but it cost us the league fixture up there along with the points at Oxford in midweek, where Jordan Frampton was prevented from rider by an administration mix-up. “James’ absence at Newport was unavoidable but I’m delighted he’s back tonight and also available for the second leg at Mildenhall on Sunday. There was a real danger we’d be down to six again without him so it’s just a big relief for what is a huge occasion in the club’s history.”

Clement’s return is the only change to the Wildcats line-up although White has made a couple of interesting positional changes. Newly crowned Conference League and British young rider of the year, Lewis Bridger, will wear the number one jacket with skipper David Mason at four and top scorer Dan Giffard at five. “Mildenhall aren’t the reigning Conference League treble holders for nothing,” said White, “and they’ve got a side packed full of talent. You have to be pretty clever to beat them and it’s vital that we build a big lead tonight to take to their place on Sunday. The positional changes are designed to give us that extra advantage in certain heats and I’m confident it will work in our favour.”

If the Wildcats do go on and lift the Knock-Out Cup, it will be for the first time ever in the club’s history. The closest they’ve come was in 1983 when finishing runners-up in to Exeter. White added: “That was in the old National League Knock-Out Cup days when Weymouth’s side included great names such as Martin Yeates, Steve Schofield and Stan Bear. It was an absolute classic with Exeter winning 96-95 over the two legs and it’s a final that’s still talked about now. We’ll be going all out to better that result and bring the cup home to the Wessex Stadium for the very first time. It’s not going to be easy but on our day we’re good enough to beat anyone, anywhere. But our fans have a huge part to play this evening. If they get behind us the way they did at Newport then that will be worth a few points to us before the meeting even begins.”
 

WHITE PAYS TRIBUTE TO MAGIC MASON
By Paul Baker  Thursday 13 October 2005
BRIAN White today paid tribute to David Mason following the Wildcats’ stunning Conference Knock-Out Cup semi-final victory over Newport. While teenage sensation Lewis Bridger stole the headlines with a breathtaking 15-point maximum in Weymouth’s 51-40 second leg success at the Harley Stadium, the manager singled out his skipper for special praise. Mason’s contribution was an outstanding 14, paid 15-point haul, with his only defeat coming at the hands of his 15-year-old team-mate. “David was magnificent,” said White, “and I don’t just mean on the track. In the pits he was just as impressive – geeing up the lads and playing a real captain’s innings. We were up against it from the start after James Clement failed to make it due to personal problems, which meant we had to operate with just six riders.  But not once did the boys’ heads drop because of it. In fact, if anything, it made them even more determined. The team spirit we have at the club is fantastic with both the riders and mechanics helping each other out and giving loads of support and encouragement.”

He added: “David’s had a few mechanical problems of late which have affected his form away from home, but he was back to his very best again on Sunday and it was great to see. He’s a wonderful ambassador for both speedway and Wey-mouth and no one deserves to lift that Knock-Out Cup more than he does.”

Another rider who received a special pat on the back after the Wildcats’ 101-84 aggregate victory, was battling reserve Shane Waldron. “It was tough for Shane with no partner at reserve,” added White, “and yet he got his head down and battled like crazy for the team and his five, paid six points were crucial.”

The first leg of the final takes place at the Wessex Stadium tomorrow night (7.30pm), with the return at Mildenhall on Sunday (3pm).
 

SIMPLY THE BEST
By Paul Baker Wednesday 12 October 2005
LEWIS Bridger re-wrote the record books at the Speedway Association Riders’ (SRA) awards in Coventry last night. The Weymouth Wildcats star became the first teenager ever to scoop two national titles at the sport’s equivalent to the Oscars. As expected, Bridger took the Conference League rider of the year trophy, but was also crowned British young rider of the year. And the 15-year-old wonder boy came close to upstaging the world’s finest in the overall rider of 2005 category, finishing just a whisker behind Great Britain skipper and Grand Prix regular Scott Nicholls. "I’m absolutely stunned," said Bridger. "I thought I might be in with an outside chance of the Conference League title, but I certainly wasn’t banking on it. But to win that, the young rider award and get a mention in the overall rider of the year category along with guys like Scott Nicholls and Jason Crump is unbelievable. What’s nice about these awards are that they are voted for by the riders themselves and there can be no better compliment than that."

Bridger’s double SRA success comes following a breathtaking first year in the saddle. After starting the season with some big scoring displays at reserve, he was quickly moved up to the main body of the Wildcats side by boss Brian White. Since then he’s returned a stunning average of almost 9.50, set a new Wessex Stadium track record, finished runner up in the British Under 18 championship and won the coveted Bronze Helmet at Mildenhall. Touted at a future world champion, Bridger has attracted interest from a host of Elite League outfits, with Eastbourne favourites to win the race for his signature. Bridger added: "The aim in my first season was just to do as well as I could and enough to earn another contract at Weymouth in 2006.

But it’s all gone crazy although I’m determined to stay focused and keep working hard because life can change so quickly in speedway. Things have gone so well for me and I’m excited about what the future. But I wouldn’t be where I am with the help of a lot of people and I dedicate these awards to them. One of my biggest influences is Brian White who gave me my break in the sport and also all the fans, helpers and riders at Weymouth. A special thanks also to my two main sponsors Foxdown Construction and Eurovans, and all the other companies and supporters who have helped me along the way." He added: "I’m determined to repay them with more success in the coming years, starting with the Conference Knock-Out Cup this weekend."

Boss White described Bridger’s SRA silverware haul as ‘amazing’ and tipped his starlet to become the youngest world champion ever. He added: "To win two awards is just amazing and Weymouth speedway is so proud of Lewis’ achievements. He shouldn’t have even been considered for the overall rider title, but was added to the line-up after receiving an unprecedented number of nominations. That says it all and see no reason why he can’t go on and become the sport’s youngest ever world champion. Whatever happens, Weymouth will always consider Lewis as one of their own and the club is delighted to have played a part in his success."

Bridger will parade his trophies at the Wessex Stadium on Friday night ahead of the Wildcats Conference Knock-Out Cup final first leg against Mildenhall.

Lewis Bridger 2005 Factfile
Feb 1 – Signed for Weymouth Wildcats
Mar 25 – Scored paid 15 point maximum on Wildcats debut v USA
Jun 5 – Won Paul Strank Open Championship at Wimbledon
Jun 11 – Rode in British Grand Prix demonstration races at the Millennium Stadium
Jun 25 – Member of Weymouth side that won Conference League Fours title
Aug 5 – Set new Wessex Stadium track record of 53.3 seconds
Aug 27 – Finished fifth in Conference League Riders’ Championship
Sep 5 – Finished second in British Under-18 Championship
Sep 23 – Scored first full 15-point maximum against Newport at the Wessex Stadium
Oct 2 – Won Conference League Bronze Helmet title
Oct 9 – Helped Wildcats reach Knock Out Cup final with 15 point maximum at Newport
Oct 11 – Named SRA Conference League and Young Rider of the Year 2005
 

MAVERICKS EARN QUICK REVENGE
By Paul Baker Monday 10 October 2005
Newport Mavericks 52  Weymouth Wildcats 43 Weymouth take bonus point 96-89
NEWPORT gained revenge for their Knock-Out Cup defeat by turning the Wildcats over in the Conference League clash during yesterday’s double header in South Wales. Led by Karl Mason (9+1), Lee Dicken (9+1) and Karlis Ezergailis (8+2), the Mavericks cruised to a comfortable 52-43 victory over their Dorset visitors.  But the hosts couldn’t do enough to claim the aggregate bonus point – that went back to Weymouth following their 53-37 success at the Wessex Stadium earlier in the campaign.

And another thing Newport failed to do was beat wonderboy Lewis Bridger, who bagged 15 points to go with his five-ride maximum from the cup clash. The teenager’s total haul for the day would have been even more impressive, had he not suffered an engine failure when galloping towards the chequered flag in heat 13. Manager Brian White said: "After our cup exploits, I don’t think there was the same sort of motivation for the league meeting, and that was understandable. What’s important was that we took the bonus point which will help towards our quest to finish third."

He added: "Lewis was so unlucky to suffer that engine blow out in heat 13 because he was on course to win all his races which would have been amazing. But he knows he would have done just that and also knows that no Newport rider came within a stiff of beating him." David Mason was again in top form with 13 while Giffard scored a useful 10+1.
 

IT'S A KNOCKOUT!
By Paul Baker Monday 10 October 2005
NEWPORT MAVERICKS 41 WEYMOUTH CARPETS GALORE WILDCATS 50
Weymouth win 101-84 on aggregate
LEWIS Bridger and David Mason powered six-man Weymouth into the Conference League Knock-Out Cup final with awesome displays against Newport Mavericks at the Haley Stadium. Defending a first leg lead of just eight points, the Wildcats suffered a huge blow just minutes before the start of this second semi-final when James Clement withdraw due to personal problems. However, clever tactics by manager Brian White, who juggled his riders superbly, helped the visitors secure a 50-41 success, to take the tie 101-84 on aggregate.

Skipper Mason’s contribution was an excellent 14 paid 15 with his only defeat coming at the hands of teenager Bridger, who returned a breathtaking 15 point maximum. White said: "I’m absolutely delighted. The Knock-Out Cup was our main target for the season and we’re in the final, which is fantastic. To come up here with just an eight-point lead and take on Newport’s strongest side with only six riders was always going to be a tough prospect. But we’ve turned in a wonderful team performance with Lewis and David in an absolute class of their own."

Mavericks got their challenge off and running with a 4-2 in the opener but the Wildcats looked on course for an immediate response in the second. Shane Waldron, left partner-less by the absent Clement, had led for more than three laps, but was passed by both Sam Hurst and Billy Legg before falling and pushing home for a point. Mason scored Weymouth’s first victory in a drawn heat three before Bridger claimed the chequered flag in a time of 60.59 seconds – just a quarter of a second slower than the track’s Conference League record.

A third consecutive 3-3 made it 18-12 to the hosts going into a three rider sixth – won again by Bridger in an even quicker time of 60.47. Weymouth narrowed the gap with their first heat advantage, which came thanks to an easy win for Mason followed by Brown back in third. A poor decision by referee Barbara Horley – calling all four riders back to the start after James Westacott had clearly brought down team mate Legg – then cost the Wildcats maximum points in heat eight. The re-run, that never should have been, saw the hosts bag a full house which took them level on aggregate at 71-71.

Wildcats hit back in some style in the ninth with Bridger roaring to his third success, while Dan Giffard picked up two points for finishing third as a tactical substitute. That made it 30-25 to Newport on the day, with a 4-2 from David Mason and Brown then reducing the deficit further. A win for Giffard ensured honours were even in 11th, but it was heat 12 that proved decisive for the Wildcats. After Legg had been thrown out for tumbling in the first outing, colleague Danny Warwick did likewise in the re-run to hand a 5-1 to Mason and Waldron. That put the Dorset side 37-36 in front and they booked their place in the final against Mildenhall, when Bridger stormed magnificently from third to first to help his side land a 4-2 victory in 13. Brown and Waldron followed up with another 4-2 in the penultimate outing, before the brilliant Bridger and Mason celebrated full and paid maximums with a 5-1 drubbing in the last.

In yesterday’s other semi-final second leg, Mildenhall beat Boston 60-33 at West Row. The Fen Tigers took the tie 111-74 on aggregate. Weymouth Speedway Travel club will be running a coach to the Conference League Knockout Cup final second leg at Mildenhall on Sunday 16th October. To book a seat please call 0777 564 5655 as soon as possible. The first leg at the Wessex Stadium will take place this coming Friday.
 

WILDCATS SLAY THE DRAGONS
By Matt Pitman Saturday 8 October 2005
WEYMOUTH CARPETS GALORE WILDCATS 60  CLWB CAERFYDDIN 33
WILDCATS have drafted in Danny Hughes for their big Knock Out Cup semi-final second leg at Newport tomorrow (1pm). The former Newcastle Gems rider replaces Lewis Dallaway for Weymouth in a contest billed by boss Brian White as the biggest of his side’s season. The Dorset outfit – who warmed up for the trip by blitzing another Welsh team, Clwb Caerfyrddin Dragons, 60-33 in a Conference League challenge at the Wessex Stadium – travel to Newport with an eight-point advantage following their 51-43 first leg victory. White is hoping Hughes, who has previously ridden for tomorrow’s opponents, will impress against his old club riding at number two. He explained: "Tomorrow’s fixture at Newport is probably our biggest meeting of the season so far and I’m determined to have our strongest possible side on the track for this one.

"The Knock Out Cup is a competition we have targeted all season so it’s vital we go to Newport and get a positive result. "We’ve strengthened by bringing in Danny, who we signed earlier this summer, in at number two and moving James Clement down to number six. "The good thing is we’re going there with an eight point lead and with the addition of Danny, we’ve got to fancy our chances. Wildcats go into the big clash in buoyant mood after a thumping home win over the Caerfyrddin Dragons last night in what could possible be the last home fixture of the season at Radipole Lane. Teenage star Lewis Bridger led the way in the comfortable victory with a stunning 15-point maximum from his five rides. Team skipper David Mason was also in top form notching a 14+1 paid maximum, his only defeat coming to Bridger in the final heat of the night.

As a contest, this was as a one-sided affair as you will ever get with White’s men dominant throughout apart from the opening heat of the night which Ben Powell took for the visitors. But once bridger and Shane Waldron claimed a full house for Weymouth in the second, the hosts were up and running. In addition to the dominant Bridger and Mason, Jordan Frampton, Dan Giffard and James Clement all celebrated chequered flags on a super night for the Wildcats. A firework display closed the meeting – long-serving referee Barry Richardson’s last as an official due to retirement – which could mark the end of the season at the Wessex unless Weymouth are victorious tomorrow.
 

WILDCATS CHAMPIONSHIP HOPES LOST
By Paul Baker Friday 7 October 2005
OXFORD  ACADEMY 51 WEYMOUTH  WILDCATS 45  #  Oxford win bonus point 95-90
WILDCATS slender Conference League title hopes ended in disappointment at Cowley last night. Needing a victory over Oxford to keep their dreams alive, Brian White’s nearly men slid to a 51-45 defeat at the hands of the Silver Machine Academy. The hosts, who were also rewarded with the aggregate bonus point, then went on to clinch the championship themselves by storming to a 54-39 success over the Newport Mavericks in the second half of an action-packed double header at Sandy Lane.

For their part, Weymouth gave it everything although they were hampered by the loss of Jordan Frampton who was deemed ineligible to compete following his recent move from Sittingbourne. That left White a man short throughout although Lewis Bridger (13) and Tom Brown (12+2) did everything in their power to help overcome their team’s numerical disadvantage. But despite their best efforts, even they had no answer to the outstanding homers for whom Jamie Courtney (14) and Craig Branney (13+1) were in top form.  The Wildcats were under pressure within seconds of the tapes going up for the opening encounter Dan Giffard taking a nasty tumble after getting tangled with Chris Mills going into the first turn.

However, the visiting number one dusted himself down and stormed to victory in the re-run with team mate James Clement taking third. Frampton’s exclusion from the clash took its toll in the second with the Dream Academy hitting back with a 5-1 against the Wildcats lone reserve Shane Waldron. A shared heat 3-3 in which Courtney held off David Mason and Brown made the score 10-8 to the hosts going into the fourth, and that was extended by another two points as Branney and Kyle Hughes were separated by Bridger in another three-rider affair. Oxford stretched their lead further with a Courtney\Mills maximum in race five before the Wildcats were struck down by some cruel luck in the sixth.

Bridger and Waldron looked to be on their way to a comfortable 4-2 for the visitors when Bridger’s engine blew on the final lap to gift wrap the points to the Silver Dream. Weymouth got some respite in heat seven which ended all square and there were high hopes when Bridger came out on team-mate Brown’s machine as a tactical substitute off a 15-metre handicap in race eight. And the teenage star came within a whisker of taking the chequered flag after a sensational ride that saw him finish less than a bike’s length behind winner Hughes in a shared 4-4. Bridger was again forced to go off 15 metres after a tapes offence in the next, but this time he could make no impression on Courtney and Branney who eased to a full house. The Wildcats deficit was a massive 14 points going into heat 10, although the margin was narrowed slightly thanks to Brown’s tactical ride, second behind the impressive Hughes, with Mason crossing the line in third.

Weymouth failed to make the most of yet another double-pointer in the next with tactical ride Giffard sandwiched between Branney and Martin. A battling Brown and Waldron salvaged some pride with a 4-2 for the Wildcats in heat 12, as did Bridger and Giffard in race 13. But it was all too little, too late for the Dorset outfit, whose challenge ended on the wrong end of a 4-2 in the penultimate contest. With the win secured, Oxford sent out rookies Jason Newitt and Marc Andrews in the last and they paid the price with Bridger and Brown claiming Weymouth’s one and only 5-1 maximum of the night.
 

Conference League Bronze Helmet
1 Lewis Bridger (Weymouth) 2 Jamie Courtney (Oxford) 3 Jon Armstrong (Mildenhall)
LEWIS Bridger lived up to all the hype with a stunning display at Mildenhall, yesterday. Weymouth’s 15-year-old wonder boy – touted as Britain’s big hope for a future world championship crown – saw off the cream of the Conference League to land the coveted Bronze Helmet. Having blazed a trail into the final at West Row, Bridger had to come from behind to claim the title in a thrilling decider against Jamie Courtney. The Oxford rider looked to be on his way to glory, having held the lead for the opening three laps, but just when it appeared he’d have to settle for second place, the talented Wildcats star dived through to take the chequered flag.

Weymouth boss Brian White said: "The Bronze Helmet is one of the biggest events in speedway and is on a par with the actual Conference League Riders’ Championship. For Lewis to win it is a marvellous achievement, especially considering his age. The very best riders from the Conference League were in action yesterday, many of whom also ride regularly in the Premier League. Yet a 15-year-old has gone there and claimed the title and it has to go down as one the sport’s most incredible results. Lewis has enjoyed a wonderful year what with being part of Weymouth’s Conference League Fours title winners and being nominated for the Speedway Riders’ Association Conference League Rider of the Year award. But this has to be the highlight of his short career and Weymouth should be truly proud of him."

After reeling off three wins in his first three outings, Bridger then suffered what appeared to be a costly set back in heat 16. Up against two of his main rivals, Mildenhall’s Jon Armstrong and Jamie Courtney of Oxford, the Wildcat was forced to retire from the race following an engine failure. That disappointment meant the youngster would have to win his final outing to stand any hope of making the semi-finals. It was Matthew Wright (Wimbledon) who made the gate in that decisive heat 20, but Bridger refused to panic and came cruising through to take the chequered flag. After watching Courtney reach the final with a semi-final win over Armstrong, Chris Mills (Oxford) and Lee Derbyshire (Buxton), Bridger went head to head with Buzz Burrows (Wimbledon), Darren Mallett (Boston) and Scunthorpe’s Wayne Carter in the second qualifying event.

The Weymouth teenager led that encounter from tapes to flag and booked his place in the final with Burrows roaring past Carter to take second place. The deciding showdown was a classic affair, as Courtney blazed away with Bridger never more than a bike’s length behind. And with less than a lap remaining, the Wildcat suddenly dived spectacularly under his rival to land a memorable victory. White added: "The lad just doesn’t know when he’s beaten, as he proved in that final race. It was a great manoeuvre and something that we are used to seeing at the Wessex Stadium. "We really do have a future superstar on our hands in Lewis and is ever there was an advert for keeping speedway in Weymouth, then he is it."
 

WHITE LOOKS FOR ANOTHER BRIDGER
By Paul Baker
BRIAN White is wasting no time in his search for the next Lewis Bridger. The Wildcats teenage sensation has bid farewell to the Wessex Stadium and is now set to sign for Elite League giants Eastbourne Eagles next season. White admits that replacing Bridger, whose incredible haul of honours  this  term  included Conference League rider of the year, British young rider of the year, Bronze Helmet champion and Dorset Echo Weymouth rider of the year, will be 'tough, if not impossible'.

 "Riders like Lewis Bridger don't come along very often," said the Wildcats boss. "Once every 10 years if you're lucky. I honestly can't ever remember looking at a rider aged 15 and thinking he's going to be a world champion one day, but that's exactly what I think when I look at Lewis. It's sad that he's  leaving Weymouth after just one season but it's totally understandable. If he's going to achieve what we all think he's capable of then he's got to be riding at the highest level possible. Replacing him will be tough, if not impossible but already I've got the feelers out with next year in mind. There comes a point when you have to accept the inevitable and get to work on unearthing the next big star of Weymouth Speedway.

 "Already we have Shane Waldron at the club who I feel can go on and become a big name in his own right and I'm very hopeful he'll be with us again next season. Like Lewis, he was magnificent in the 2004 British under-15 championship and I can see him progressing in a big way over the next couple of years. "There are also a lot of other 15 and 16-year-olds out there with great potential and my plan is to get a couple of the country's very best at the Wessex Stadium. As a shop window, Weymouth is a great place to ride. Youngsters only have to look at what Lewis has achieved to see that. The club has played a major part in his progress and that's something I'm very proud of."

Bridger, whose other 2005 successes include a Great Britain international cap and the Radipole Lane track record, said he would always recommend Weymouth to any young rider wanting to make it in the sport.  "Weymouth is great club to ride for," he explained, "and I've learnt so much during my time there. It's a tight track which quickly tests your skills as a rider, and the support you get from everyone is amazing. Had it not been for Brian White I would not have come this far so soon and I'm just really grateful to him for giving me my chance."
 

I'M HAPPY TO STAY WITH CATS – MASON
By PAUL BAKER  Wednesday 2 November 2005
SKIPPER David Mason is keen to return to Weymouth next year after celebrating one of the best seasons of his long career. The popular Sussex-based rider led the Wildcats to both the Conference Fours and Knock-Out Cup titles and now wants to lead the club to a maiden Conference League title. He said: "It's been a terrific season and I've really enjoyed it. Winning the Fours was a great achievement and one I'll long remember, but for me the highlight was definitely the Knock-Out Cup success.

"That's been a real bogey competition for me having previously ridden in four finals and lost all four. Breaking my duck was great and the fact it was against the holders Mildenhall and that I was on track when we actually sealed it, made it very special indeed. On top of those successes, we also reached the Trophy semi-finals and finished third in the league which is pretty good considering we were without our top scorer Dan Giffard for a  fair chunk of the summer because of injury. And then there was the form of Lewis Bridger who has to rank as probably the best 15-year-old ever to ride a speedway bike."

He added: "If everything goes well in terms of the club's planning application renewal, and if manager Brian White wants me, I'd be delighted to come back and captain the side again next year. Weymouth is a happy club with a great set of riders and it's a real pleasure to ride for the town. Our target in 2006 will definitely be the Conference League title which we could so easily have won this year had it not been for Dan's injury and a bit of bad luck along the way. But we're determined to put that right and I've got no doubts we can do it."

Although contract talks won't begin until next month, manager White has already hinted that 28-year-old Mason will be offered the chance to skipper the Wildcats next summer. He's a top lad in every way," said the team boss. "On and off the track he gives everything to the cause and no-one deserved to lift that Knock-Out Cup more than he did. In terms of next year, the riders are now heading off for their well deserved breaks and we'll then start discussing things with them next month. As for David, I can't imagine the Wessex Stadium without him there."
 

ACE BRIDGER IS READERS CHOICE
By Paul Baker  Wednesday 2 November 2005
AS PREDICTABLE as night follows day, Lewis Bridger was crowned Dorset Echo Readers' rider of the year at the Wildcats end of season presentation night. The amazing 15-year-old scooped the coveted title, along with the most exciting rider of the year award. Bridger's double success adds to a impressive haul of honours gained this term, including Conference League and British young rider of the year, Bronze Hemet champion, Wessex Stadium track record, Wimbledon Open title. King of the Wessex cup and British Under-18 runner-up.

"I can't quite believe the year I've had," said the teenager, who is set to join Elite League big boys Eastbourne Eagles in 2006, "and I'd like to thank every one who has helped me along the way, particularly Weymouth manager Brian White and all the Wildcats fans. Winning the Dorset Echo award is a great honour and one I'm very proud of. Receiving praise from within the sport is tremendous, but when it comes from the readers and supporters it's extra special because they are the ones who matter the most."
 
The prize for the most improved rider went to Dan Giffard, who topped the club's averages with 9.50 and finished fourth in the British Under-21 final at Rye House. Team man of the year was fans' favourite Tom Brown, who also carried off the Bonus King award after notching up a total of 36 points. Other awards handed out during a packed event at Chickerell's Lugger Inn were winners medals to the Wildcats magnificent seven Knock-Out Cup winning riders and the Wessex Pairs trophy, claimed by skipper David Mason and Jack Gledhill.
 

DAN THE MAN IS MR CONSISTENCY
By Paul Baker Wednesday 2 November 2005
WHILE Lewis Bridger stole most of the headlines this season, it was his team mate and close friend Dan Giffard who topped the Wildcats averages, writes Paul Baker. The Great Britain under-21 star finished the campaign with an impressive return of 9.50 in all competitions. Giffard, who missed a chunk of the summer with a serious groin injury, was most effective at the Wessex Stadium where he picked up 184 points from 70 rides at an average of 10.86. Teenage sensation Bridger wasn't far behind with an overall return of 9.50.

Where the British young rider of the year was most impressive was in the Knock-Out Cup, which Weymouth memorably lifted following a two-leg final victory over Mildenhall. Bridger's contribution was a massive 79 points at a whopping average of 11.07. Away from Radipole Lane, the most consistent Wildcat was skipper David Mason who bagged 8.67 on his travels and 9.30 in all competitions home and away.

So often during the summer, Brian White's side were described as a four-man team and a glance at the averages confirms that. Behind Giffard, Bridger and Mason in the overall standings comes Tom Brown (7.98). White said: "Our big four have been outstanding this season and have led from the front throughout. Beyond that, life's been tricky, especially after Jack Gledhill's sudden retirement. "But every rider who pulled on a Wildcats jacket has done the team proud and special praise goes to Shane Waldron and James Clement who ended the season so strongly at reserve."
 

Ford considers running 2006 Conference team
by Paul Burbidge Daily Echo Thursday 29 December 2005
PIRATES' co-promoter Matt Ford has confirmed he is considering running a Conference League team at Wimborne Road in 2006. The Poole supremo, along with partner Mike Golding, is pondering the venture following the vast drop in number of clubs entering British speedway's third tier.

With Armadale in Scotland and Wimbledon already out of action, Pirates' Dorset neighbours Weymouth could also be heading for the exit door. After Wildcats' eviction from their Wessex Stadium home, the team must now search for a new venue for this season. And should they fail in their quest, Ford and Golding may be prepared to step into the breach and keep the Conference in Dorset.

Ford said: "British speedway cannot afford to lose any more of the Conference League clubs. So we decided if three or four of the Conference teams decided they weren't running in 2006, the Poole promotion would step in and help. Indeed, if Weymouth can't find a way of racing next term, we will consider putting together a team. The Wildcats are still hoping to run at a different venue, possibly in Yeovil, and if they can do this, that would be great. If a team operates at Weymouth or Yeovil, there wouldn't really be any need for us to have one here at Poole. But if not, then maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing for us to get running for a season, possibly on Sundays or Thursdays."

Despite the success of his Elite League team, Ford was quick to state that a new side would not operate under the Poole Pirates banner. He explained: "Any team we have wouldn't be called the Pirates because we don't want it to be associated with our Elite League side. The new team would take another name, perhaps Dorset or the Dolphins, for example. It may be run at the same stadium by the same promoters, but any Conference League side will not carry the Poole Pirates name.

"If you want to see the best racing, come and see Elite League speedway and the Pirates. But if you also want to see some junior riders try and make the grade, there might be an opportunity to do so."

Costs of running Conference speedway should be less than in the top flight, but crowds would obviously be lower for these meetings. And despite the popularity of speedway in Poole, Ford believes negotiations over rent will have to take place with his Wimborne Road landlords Stadia UK.

He said: "As yet, we haven't had permission from our landlords at Wimborne Road to run a team. When we spoke to them before, they wanted one-and-a-half times our normal rent. This is because Conference crowds are usually lower. Clearly, we need to be paying half our current rent and just have less of the amenities at Wimborne Road available to us. There would be no need to use the glass-fronted grandstand on the back straight and this would keep costs low.

The intention of running the Conference was that riders receive a small amount of money to cover expenses. Any team would not be run for the benefit of a promoter's pocket and our entrance fees would reflect this. As a promotion we have a lot to say on this idea, but we will be waiting to see what happens elsewhere first.

There is a Conference League conference in January and we will declare our interest in having a team at that meeting or possibly before."
 

BARTLETT’S BID IS NON-STARTER
By Paul Baker Thursday 22nd December 2005
HOPES of speedway continuing at the Wessex Stadium next season are fading. Wildcats boss and licence holder Brian White will no longer be operating at the site after having his tenancy agreement with landlords Weymouth Football Club cancelled due to disputes over finances and planning. And a planned takeover bid by speedway co-chairman Phil Bartlett today appears to have failed.

In the Dorset Echo on Tuesday, resort businessman Bartlett urged White to sell him the licence so that the Wildcats could again roar into Conference League action next summer. But after the two parties spoke yesterday, a change of licence ownership now looks unlikely.

Bartlett told Echosport: “Following the story in the Echo, Brian contacted me and we had a long and interesting chat. I asked him what sort of price he was looking for to sell the speedway licence and he went away to do some sums. When he called me back with a figure it far exceeded what I thought the licence was worth and what I would be willing to pay In fact we are miles apart in our thinking and so it looks like the deal is dead.”

“I respect Brian and can understand his thinking. He’s put his life savings into getting speedway up and running again in the town and obviously he’s looking for a return on his investment. But all he is actually selling is a piece of paper to say that owner is licensed to run speedway in Weymouth or within a 30-mile radius of the town. He’s not actually selling a track or even the tenancy to the Wessex Stadium so the figure is unrealistic.”

“Oxford, with its licence, stadium, tenancy, facilities, Elite League status and riders’ contracts was sold recently for £45,000 and that’s a lot less than Brian’s asking for, I understand that Mildenhail, who also race in the Conference, was sold for £7,000 not so long ago with all its assets and that’s certainly more the sort of figure I was expecting.”

Bartlett added: “It’s a shame because it now looks like the end for speedway in the town, at least until such time that Brian gives up the licence. Personally I can’t do any more and so as far as I’m concerned the matter is now closed.” Meanwhile White was today unavailable for comment.
 

BARTLETT: LET ME RUN THE WILDCATS
By Paul Baker Tuesday 20th December 2005
Co-chairman offers to step in and rescue club
SPEEDWAY could return to the Wessex Stadium next season under the management of Wildcats co-chairman Phil Bartlett. The Weymouth-based businessman has today offered to step in and rescue the club following its eviction from Radipole Lane last week.

Landlords Weymouth Football Club ended its tenancy agreement with Wilddats boss and licence holder Brian White following disputes over finances and planning. Bartlett has now urged White to give up the rights to run speedway in the town and help new management take over the Conference League outfit. He said: “I, and all speedway fans. have nothing but total respect and admiration for Brian White. He was the man who single-handedly brought the sport back to Weymouth and will go down in history as having done so. “On top of that, he delivered a great team that last year won both the Conference Knockout Cup and Fours title, and he also helped develop young Lewis Bridger who most experts believe will go on to become the next British-born World Champion. That is one hell of a legacy and he can be rightly proud of his achievements. It’s unfortunate that the football club no longer wishes to deal with Brian and I would urge hhn to consider giving up the licence to allow speedway to continue. The Terras are happy for speedway to continue, the fans desperately want it to and so does the sport’s governing body, the BSPA.

“Lots of people have asked if I’d step in and help and the answer is ‘quite possibly’. I have retained my co-promotors’ licence with the Wildcats but obviously Brian owns the overall operation rights. It’s Brian’s decision, although I think he’s hurting over what’s happened at the moment. If he feels like talking, then I’m here, I’m sure we can come to an arrangement whereby everyone gains and speedway continues at the Wessex Stadium. That can’t be done without Brian’s say-so and help. As I’ve said before, without Brian there would have been no speedway and it won’t carry on now without his support.

He added: “But time is tight. The BSPA meet in January to sort out next season’s racing and there’s a lot of work to be done if Weymouth are to be included once more.” Bartlett, who has sponsored the Wlldcats through his Weymouth-based firm Active Mobility is believed to be among the Terras’ preferred speedway promoters should White agree to sell Or give up his licence. Chairman Martyn Harrison said: “We are very keen to see speedway continue but it has to be under different management. If someone comes along with a proposal we’d be happy to listen.”