WEYMOUTH Wildcats’ mascot Sam Peters has now signed for the team as a fully-fledged rider following the departure of Jordan Bull.

Peters has been an ever-present mascot for the Wildcats for some time now and has been riding at a youth level, but in turning 15 last month now becomes eligible for the team.

Peters’ father and co-promoter of the Wildcats, Martin Peters, has seen a lot of improvement in his son’s riding abilities and admits it is a proud moment for him.

He said: “Sam is old enough to compete in that league now, he turned 15 last month and he has massively improved over the last few times he has been riding.

“It is like it has kind of clicked and it is kind of working for him and he is riding really well.

“There have been times where I have been really hard on him and I have criticised him when I don’t think he could have done any better but I am also quick to give him praise when he deserves it. He has ridden really well.

“I think some people will think that it was always going to happen because he is my son.

“But I also don’t want him to kind of embarrass himself if he was to get lapped I know how much that hurts him, so I would not want that to happen.

“He is just riding so much faster.

“Beforehand he was a bit timid going into the corners.

“He was fine going around but now he is carrying a lot more speed into the corners and straight into the slide.

“It is quite a proud moment really.”

Sam, being from Weymouth, is also a rare person from Weymouth to represent the club, having been born over the Ridgeway in Dorchester.

Referring to this, Martin Peters said: “It will be great if things go our way.

“If we get a track back it will be great to get a few more local riders and get a few more kids involved.

“It is something that has not really happened before in the past.”

Sam got a vote of confidence from fellow Wildcats co-promoter James Tresadern who says he will get even better in the team.

Tresadern said: “This is what the development league is all about, bringing through the next generation of riders.

“I have known Sam since the Wildcats returned and believe he will get even better riding in the league and the team.”