‘I’M ON cloud nine, I’m quite speechless’ said Weymouth Wildcats co-promoter James Tresadern, not long after leaving the meeting which confirmed his side are to ride at the home of the Poole Pirates this season.
On Saturday Tresadern and fellow co-promoter Martin Peters met Pirates’ owner Matt, alongside his son and promoter Danny Ford, in a meeting which confirmed their return to Dorset at Wimborne Road, the home of the SGB Premiership champions, following their enforced exile away from Dorset.
The Wildcats have struggled in getting a place in Dorset to ride and have had to ride elsewhere, with spells in Devon at Plymouth, and in East Sussex at Eastbourne last year, but Tresadern spoke glowingly of owner Matt and son and promoter Danny of how they have been in helping the Wildcats get back to Dorset.
Tresadern said: “Both Matt and Danny have been so nice to talk to, Danny has been superb to deal with. They are literally welcoming us with open arms.
“It is really, really nice. I am so happy that we have got Weymouth back in Dorset.”
Tresadern added that for the sport to continue, the bigger clubs may have to do something and pointed towards what Poole are doing for the Wildcats.
Tresadern said: “They are our next-door neighbours, so I think for the future of speedway the bigger clubs will have to do something and Poole are allowing us to utilize their track, their facilities. We are over the moon.”
Poole fans may also delight in the move, which will see Jacob Clouting, son of ex-Pirates star Savalas, riding at Wimborne Road.
Tresadern also hopes that the Wildcats can learn from the Pirates’ professionals during their time in Poole.
Tresadern said: “It is going to be really beneficial because obviously as developing riders they can speak to professional riders and get some information, they can get tips.
“All these professional riders do give some time and will actually help younger riders. So it is just going to be so beneficial for our guys as well as anybody else that turns up.
“Obviously riding out of Poole, which is home of the champions of the highest level of speedway at the minute.
“Once you put on the race jacket and you know you are going to be riding at Poole, you are going to be giving that extra little bit to do your best.
“It is going to be good business for all of those involved I think.”
Similarly Danny Ford was full of praise for the Wildcats’ head duo and is glad to be helping develop speedway as a sport.
Ford said: “James and Martin are incredibly professional so they have been a pleasure to do business with so far and I really hope we can grow this partnership and yeah, we are really excited.”
“I was approached by James and he mentioned that the Wildcats were looking for a new home, it was great speaking to him and getting the Wildcats on board is great.
“Anything we can do to encourage the development of speedway as a sport, getting younger kids involved, helping these young riders develop their skills so hopefully they can make a career in speedway is really good.
“A little bit of added value on the six occasions that the Wildcats will be running for the fans which is always nice to give back to the fans which I am sure they will be very happy about.”
Fellow Wildcats’ co-promoter Martin Peters added that it was amazing for them to have secured Wimborne Road, and said that they cannot wait to get started.
Martin Peters said: “It is amazing that we have managed to secure the home of Poole Speedway for our 2019 MSDL Development League season.
“Both James and I have been after this for a while and now it has come to fruition. We would like to thank Matt Ford, Danny Ford and Anthony Tilley for allowing us to call Wimborne Road home for the coming year.
“We have a great team, and now we have that great base to perform on and we cannot wait to get started.”
For Wildcats’ rider Cesca Kirtley-Paine it feels like it has come full circle, with Wimborne Road being where she met Tresadern initially.
Cesca said: “Being able to ride in the MSDL for the first time at a track like Poole is an amazing opportunity.
“For me it almost feels like I have come full circle, as I first got to know James when I did some demo rides at the track a couple of years ago.
“So it is great to be going back to where it all started.”
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