Speedway fans turned out in force at the weekend to support Harold Doonan’s bid to save the Wildcats.

The local builders’ merchant held a ‘Save Our Speedway’ rally at his yard in Lynch Lane on Saturday and more than 100 supporters gathered to pledge their allegiance.

Doonan is part of a five-strong consortium fighting to keep the Cats alive. However, their attempts thus far have been met by silence from Wessex Raceway landowners Wessex Delivery Partnership and ex-WeYmouth FC chairman Malcolm Curtis.

Buoyed by Saturday’s turnout, Doonan remains hopeful of avoiding a repeat of 1984, when the sport in Weymouth entered a 19-year hibernation.

He said: “We had a wonderful response and a lot of people came from the likes of Southampton, Bournemouth and Poole, and it was great to see so much interest.

“I’ve had messages of support from all over the country and even had former Weymouth rider Terry Tulloch phone up from Australia to wish us all the best.

“With the turnout we had I believe there is no problem we can’t surmount.

“Hopefully Mr Curtis will take heed and have a change of heart so that we can run this year. At the moment he does not want to speak to us nor does anybody from his organisation.

“If this year does not happen for us hopefully next year will.

“If a friendly farmer has some land we can use, or the local council for that matter, then we can try and build a new track that doesn’t belong to Mr Curtis.”

Doonan added: “I first started watching speedway in 1954 and have not missed many meetings. Therefore I have done all I can to keep it going.

“We are doing it for the love of speedway and for the people of Wey-mouth. We’re not here to make money.

“All we want is an answer from Mr Curtis so that we know where we stand.

“We have offered to pay him the rent up front so I don’t know why he hasn’t come back to us.”

Those present at the meeting echoed Doonan’s sentiments.

John Thorner, a former volunteer at the track, said: “I was working there since 1975 – when I first left school – so I’ll be sorry to see it go, if that’s what happens.

“It’s the only sport I follow locally and I don’t think the town can afford to lose it as people come for their holidays in order to watch the speedway.”

Delwyn Rowe, whose son Anders has been the club’s mascot in recent years, added: “I was first watching speedway at the age of two and it’s a really good family sport. For there to be no team next season would be crazy. If Harold got the go ahead there would be an army of people willing to help out.”

Paul Chick said: “It’s a family sport and my family have been going for years.

“We want to keep it going in order to keep the kids interested.”

Malcolm Ayre of Southern Classic Speedway Bikes, who hold vintage bike exhibitions on the seafront twice a year, also gave his backing to Doonan, saying: “We just want to help in any way we can. It would be such a shame if there was no speedway because it’s a great club.”