ALMOST 20 years of hurt for Weymouth speedway fans comes to an end tonight when the town's new track hosts the Wessex Rosebowl Individual Championships (tapes up 7.30pm).

The last time fans flocked to the Wessex Stadium with air horns sounding was on September 11, 1984, to see the Wildcats hammer Rye House in the National League.

The Radipole Lane venue was closed down soon after, since when supporters have had to journey to Poole to get their weekly fix of one of the fastest growing spectator sports in Britain.

But thanks to the determination of promoter Brian White, speedway is back and it looks like this time it's here to stay.

He explained: "It's going to be a very emotional night for me and all speedway fans and I can't wait for the tapes to go up. It's been a long, hard road bringing the sport home to Weymouth and I'd like to thank all the volunteers who have helped turn a Football training pitch into a speedway stadium in five weeks flat.

"There were times when even I thought it would never happen, but speedway is back and I'm going to make sure it stays.

"We're expecting a very big crowd this evening and my phone's been red hot with people calling to say they are travelling down from all over the country.

"There's plenty of Parking spaces and the gates open at 6pm, however I'd still urge followers to get here early and enjoy the pre-race build up which includes a fun fair for all the kids."

The official opening of the track takes place at 7pm and will be performed by Wildcats legend Martin Yeates.

The former skipper, who was almost unbeatable around the old Wessex Stadium circuit, admits the memories will come flooding back this evening.

"I enjoyed every moment of my time riding for Weymouth," he said, "and no one was sadder than me when the track closed in 1984.

"I never thought we'd see speedway back in the town and I think what Brian White and his team have achieved here is absolutely

fantastic.

"Being asked to do the track opening is a great honour and I'm really looking forward to catching up with some old friends. The Weymouth fans were always some of the best in the country and the occasion will stir up some wonderful memories for me."

The format of the Wessex Rosebowl will be a 20-heat affair with each rider racing a total of five times. The winner will be the man with the highest score at the end of the night with a play-off planned if scores are level.

Among the favourites to ride off with the silverware are current Wildcats skipper Justin Elkins and popular Poole asset, Danny Warwick.

But they'll face stiff competition from a host of other young hopefuls including schoolboy sensation Ben Barker and rising star Nathan Irwin.

White added: "There are some very ould be a cracking competition. The track is tight and perfect for close racing and so fans should be in for plenty of thrills and spills.

"Riders like Justin and Danny will be strongly fancied and I'd expect both of them to be up there challenging. But no one can lay claim to being unbeatable on this track yet and so it might be a night full of surprises."

Entrance prices to the meeting are £8 adults, £6 OAPs and just £1 for children under-16. Parking is available at Weymouth Football club at only £1 per vehicle.

The Terras Tavern bar will be open to fans from 6.30pm with the Wessex Lounge bar then available for refreshments after the meeting.

White added: "I think we've thought of everything. There are fast food vans, the fun fair, toilets and the bars and the track shop are fully stocked and ready for business. "I'm sure everything will go like clockwork however. I've been telling myself it will be all right on the night for five weeks now and I'm sure it will."

Line-up: Danny Warwick, Nathan Irwin, Jack Gledhill, Paul Candy, Tom Brown, Justin Elkins, Simon Paget, Brendon McKay, Jamie Holmes, Dean Felton, James Purchase, Ben Barker, Peter Collyer, Stephen Braidford, Chris Johnson, Nick Lee, Simon Walker, Troy Batchelor