A bitter sweet reunion for Wildcats (From Dorset Echo)

A bitter sweet reunion for Wildcats

8:21am Tuesday 15th November 2011 in Speedway By Ky Capel

REUNITED: Weymouth Wildcats officials and former riders, from left to right: Nick White, Alex McLeod, Harold Doonan, Terry Day, Kyle Newman, Buzz Burrows and Jem Dicken

ON the first anniversary of Weymouth Wildcats’ demise, fans’ favourite Terry Day has expressed his frustration following a year on the sidelines.

This time last year, the Wessex Raceway was repossessed by landlords Wessex Delivery Partnership due to unpaid rent.

Former club sponsor Harold Doonan launched a bid to save the Cats from extinction, but his attempts to negotiate a new lease fell on deaf ears at WDP headquarters.

The track remains intact, however, much to Day’s annoyance.

The 26-year-old, who showed his support for the Cats at a special party on the weekend, said: “Wey-mouth was the reason I came back into racing as I had previously stopped for a few years.

“Now it’s back to reality and going to work as opposed to riding. I would still be riding if the club was still going.

“It’s weird the club not being there and when we drove down at the weekend we had a look at the track and it’s in a bit of a state now.

“People have tried to get in contact with the landlords and sort out a deal but they’re just not interested and it’s annoying.

“It’s another British club that has gone and it’s happening more and more these days.

“The most annoying part of it is that we have the people with the knowhow to get the club going again but the landlords are stopping it from happening.”

Day remains hopeful that the Wild-cats’ name will live on regardless.

He added: “I know Tim Allan has mentioned doing some challenges next year to keep the name alive so that would be interesting if it happens.

“A lot of thanks must also go to Nigel Charlton at Wessex Bus and Harold Doonan as they are also putting in a lot of hard work.”

Commenting on Saturday’s gathering, which saw ex-riders, former club officials and loyal supporters converge at Weymouth FC, Day said: “It was good to see everyone, catch up and talk speedway.”