WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats get the 2009 campaign up and running tonight (7.15pm) with a free-to-view Challenge meeting against National League rivals the Isle of Wight Islanders.

Tonight’s clash, co-sponsored by the Dorset Echo, at the Wessex Bus Raceway will provide Wildcats’ supporters a first glimpse of their heroes in action together.

And the Radipole Lane outfit will be up against familiar faces in the shape of former Cats Brendan Johnson, who helped Weymouth lift both the Conference League and Four-Team Tournament trophies last year, and Chris Johnson.

Chris, who rode for the Wildcats in 2006, will be making a miraculous return to speedway after a horror crash in October 2007 almost cost him his life.

Instead, he sustained a broken pelvis, shattered kneecap, badly broken thigh and considerable blood loss while riding for the Islanders at King’s Lynn.

But he will be back on the shale this evening and is keen to make an impact.

He said: “I am really looking forward to riding at Weymouth where I have been practising over the last couple of months during the winter training schools.

“My leg is improving all the time and feels a lot stronger than when I first returned to riding. I know there is still some way to go but I just want to get out on the track and have some fun.

“I had a couple of offers of team places this season even before I had thrown a leg over my bike but I wanted to see how I felt before committing myself to a team place.

“I have had a practice at Weymouth and at the Isle of Wight and physically I am improv-ing all the time. I was unsure about how I would feel riding again but thankfully it felt great and if all goes well I would be hoping to get a team place.”

Meanwhile, current Wildcat James White-Williams is looking to build on a second-placed finish in a second half meeting at Newport.

White-Williams, unbeaten until he met eventual winner and ex-Wildcat Kyle Newman, was delighted with his display.

He said: “It’s the first time I have ridden there for a while and it’s my first proper meeting of the season but I was delighted with the way things went. I feel a lot more confident this season and feel that I have improved greatly over the winter and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Should bad weather result in tonight’s meeting being called off, Weymouth hope to stage the clash tomorrow night.

Tonight’s Line-ups

Wildcats: Jon Armstrong, Terry Day, James Cockle, Matt Wright, Lee Smart, Tim Webster, James White Williams.

Islanders: Chris Johnson (guest), Ben Hopwood, Ryan Sedgman, Brendan Johnson, Nick Simmons, Andrew Braithwaite, Dan Berwick.

* Poole Pirates take on Eastbourne Eagles in an Elite League double-header today (11am home and 7.30pm away).