by Ky Capel - Dorset Echo

The Wildcats’ season may be over but Weymouth Speedway now turns its attentions to winter training schools for up and coming riders. The first of five expected sessions will be held at the Wessex Stadium on Saturday, November 22 and is open to all speedway hopefuls with Eastbourne Eagles’ star and England international Edward Kennett passing on his expertise and experience.

The training school will consist of a morning tuition based on bike set-up and maintenance, which will be followed by an afternoon of track time instruction. Weymouth Wildcats’ chairman Phil Bartlett, whose side captured the Conference League title this season, is looking forward to the winter sessions and is keen to cast his eye over potential future talent. He said: “We are delighted to be able to hold training schools this winter as youth development is very important to the club. We are aiming to have five training schools all held with experienced riders there to pass on valuable experience to the youngsters. Another aim of the schools is to give those that are new to the sport the opportunity to learn about bike set-ups and maintenance. On the whole it’s dads or granddads that double up as mechanic, team manager and driver, and unless they have previous experience of speedway it’s often a matter of learning by trial and error, something which can be costly both on and off the track.”

Numbers for the training schools are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so anyone wishing to attend should immediately contact Jem Dicken on 07775645655 to secure their place.

Weymouth Speedway - latest update: This training school will now be taken by 2008 Poole Pirate and Elite League Champion - Davey Watt.