Wilcats manager optimistic.

Venturing into unchartered waters is just what new Wildcats team manager Mike Vernam is doing. By his own admission he is not too familiar with todays Conference League bread of riders after retiring from a sport he graced riding for Eastbourne, Reading, Poole, Romford and of course the Wildcats way back in 1968's then second division.

Mike runs a highly successful car accessories business with outlets in Pokesdown, Bournemouth and New Milton so has no problem being available to undertake the position of team manager something that he has always wanted to have a go at. "Brian (White) has picked and signed the team without any input from myself, I have come on board to assist Brian at all the home meetings with several away ones as well" Mike replied when asked about his input into team affairs. He continued "Basically I will take the strain of running a meeting away from Brian and will be on my own whilst Brian looks after sponsors."

Mike has some very strong views on how the sport resides at present "British riders are not looked after as they should be, the leagues need to support each other and work as one to enable a smoother flow for the young British riders from the grass roots up so that they are taken into the right team situation at the right time for their career and not just to make the numbers up when a club or the rules dictate. Riders like Ben Barker have a fantastic future ahead, the experience he has at his age will stand him well for the challenge ahead, but riders like him need the experience or regular racing and competing not following three other riders around as is often seen when riders move up the ladder too soon."

This was my first meeting with the Wildcats new team manager who is a very quiet and reserved character, talking about Weymouth, the track and team Mike commented, "I watched four of the six meetings last season and was very impressed by several riders who came to the track, they adapted right from their first rides and proved that the Conference League has a very good standard rider base which can only become stronger. I have seen most of this years team ride apart from Shane Colvin, at present I think Justin Elkins if all goes well with some good luck will be the pick of the bunch this year, I know he has invested heavily in new equipment, attracted new sponsors to assist him, as well as having a website put together."

Talking about advice he would give to any youngsters starting out or aiming for a career as a speedway rider, "Good sponsors are a must to enable a good standard of equipment being purchased. Ride as often as possible, whether second half or training schools to try and get noticed. Put as much money back into you equipment as possible, but most of all listen carefully to the more experienced riders who can pass on so much valued and important advice, they have been there and done it, where as you are on the first step. There are a good crop of young kids coming through the Friday night training sessions at Weymouth no doubt some of these riders will ride for the Wildcats and maybe even progress eventually into the top flight and represent Britain in years to come."