WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats’ skipper Jon Armstrong is confident of leading his side to the National League crown this year.

The Mighty Midget, who spent the majority of last season’s Conference League title-winning campaign on the sidelines nursing a broken leg, believes the Wildcats have the strongest line-up in the division and the strength of character to deal with the pressure of being one of the favourites.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s curtain-raiser against the Isle of Wight, which will see all spectators admitted for free at the Wessex Bus Raceway, Armstrong said: “If everyone rides to their potential then I think we will win it.

“We are all here to enjoy ourselves but when race time comes about we will all get our race heads on and go for it because we know we have a strong line-up all the way through.

“As for all this talk about pressure that does not bother me at all and I do not think the other lads are bothered by it either.

“And at the end of the season when we have won everything on offer I am sure all these lads will step up a league because they are all ready and I will help with that where I can.

“I think we have got a very exciting season ahead of us.”

Another man who is glad to be back in the action at the Wessex Bus Raceway is Terry Day, who has returned to the club this year after leaving to join Newport at the end of the 2007 campaign.

Day added: “I am glad to be back. I had a poor time last year and I am looking to that right this season. I will be riding with Jon Armstrong and I think we will be a good partnership.

“Last year was very much a testing year but we have now got the engines of to a tee and I have been going pretty quick. Hopefully I will make a lot more starts now which will mean I won’t have to race as much as I normally have to.”

New-signing James Cockle will occupy the number three berth, and he is another rider feeling confident about the campaign ahead.

He said: “The track at the Wessex Bus Raceway is very good and I have had some great meetings here in the past. I have also had some poor ones so I am looking forward to getting some laps round there and picking up lots of points for the team.

“Speedway is a numbers game and all of us are in it to win but we are also all still learning as well. And as long as we keep doing that and supporting each other I am sure the strength of our line up will shine through.”

Lee Smart, who celebrated his 21st birthday last Sunday, is expected to be another influential component in the Wildcats’ title quest.

He will ride at number five and has already set his sights on remaining unbeaten at the Radipole Lane circuit.

He said: “I am still to be beaten around here and the aim is to keep winning races and see how it goes. We have a pretty good team throughout and it now just up to each individual to perform how he knows he can.”

Matt Wright has been handed the number four spot, while another new acquisition, James White-Williams, will race at number seven with Tim Webster at six. Alex McLeod completes the squad.

Webster said: “I am now back up to full fitness after injury held me back a bit last year and I am looking forward to the challenge.

“We have got good reserves again this season in James and myself, and it is very important that we perform as we can to stop tactical rides and also add vital points. I can’t wait to get started.”

A significant rule change this year means the Wildcats are able to retain their own assets, which they command a fee for should they move on to another club.

Chairman Phil Bartlett, who has taken team manager Jem Dicken on board as his co-promoter this season, said: “This is the first time ever that we have been able to retain assets. And Jon Armstrong, Terry Day, Tim Webster, Jamie White-Williams and Alex McLeod are our starting five of many more to come. This rule change is a massive boost for all teams at this level and it will go a long way in helping to safeguard the stability of our club.”