Hunt forced out, joins Carmarthen.

Wimbledon team captain Chris Hunt is to leave Plough Lane and will be racing for Conference League rivals Carmarthen in 2004, after being squeezed out of the GMB Dons line up by a mere 0.008 of a point.

With Conference League rules stating that only the top five riders in each team can average over 5 points, the popular Hunt has been forced out of the Wimbledon line-up with an average just 0.008 over the limit, at 5.008.

Despite strenous appeals from Ian Perkin and David Croucher, the BSPA have upheld the decision of Conference League Co-ordinator Peter Morrish to round the Huntsman's average upto 5.01, leaving him ineligible to ride at reserve for the GMB Dons.

As Wimbledon Team Manager Dingle Brown had already pencilled in his top five, the ever popular Hunt has chosen to ride for the Meakins family in West Wales in what is likely to be his farewell season in the saddle.

Life will certainly not be the same at Plough Lane without the presence of the likeable and respected Hunt who has proudly captained the Dons - without missing a single meeting, in each of their two comeback seasons, and who leaves with everyone's best wishes.

David Croucher, Dons co-Chairman for the last 2 years said, "To say I am disappointed would be a monumental understatement. Chris was so disillusioned with the sport in 1985, he sold all his equipment and did not ride again until we met at Reading Training Track in 1999. When I became involved in the re-opening of Wimbledon, Chris, having ridden for the Southampton"Saints " for two seasons, was the obvious choice to captain the returning Dons side."

"Chris has proved to be a great ambassador for both the club and the sport in general. I know what a massive disappointment this news will be to the fans, the other riders and the Board of Directors, but I also understand why he has made this decision."

Club Chairman Ian Perkin has added his tribute to the GMB Dons outgoing Captain, "Chris has been a first rate Captain for the side and he will be a hard act to follow, I would also like to pay tribute to the hard work that Chris's wife Jan has put into the club as well, the pair of them are a huge loss and I sincerely hope that even if Chris is not riding for us this season the pair of them will continue to be involved with Wimbledon Speedway for many years to come".

Hunt has made his own statement about why he has had to leave the club, " I'm very sad to be leaving Wimbledon this year but as the averages are against me I'm afraid I really have no choice, my thanks to Dave and Ian for their help with this over the past couple of weeks."

"I would just like to say that the last two years have honestly been the best of my life and it has been an honour and a privilege to have been captain and I have enjoyed every minute."

"I would like to say a special thank you to everyone at the club who has supported me, especially Dave without whom I would never have returned to competitive racing in the first place. I would also like to thank Barbara Durand who has run my fan club, Will & Vron, Alistair and Julie, Emma and the pit bend loonies and all the Directors and staff at Wimbledon, I've made many friends there in the last two years and you won't get rid of me that easily as I will still come along and support the Dons whenever I can, so hope to see you all again soon."

Hunt himself is eager to make the most of what is expected to be his last year of track action "After speaking to Nigel Meakins the other day I'm now really looking forward to being part of Carmarthen Dragons team for 2004".