Candy man can.

Watching him tear around the Wessex Stadium these days, it's hard to believe that a year ago Paul Candy had never ridden a speedway bike in anger. To describe the 23-year-old as a late starter would be a massive understatement with most riders taking up the sport as teenagers.

Nicknamed the Taunton Tornado, his progress over the past 12 months has indeed been of whirlwind proportions - from complete novice to proud owner of Conference League Weymouth's number two race jacket.

"I was a motorcross rider this time last year," he explained, "and speedway was just something I thought about but never tried. I decided to have a go up at Somerset and really enjoyed it. It's an expensive game to be in and so instead of spending out a fortune straight away I decided to just make do with cheap and borrowed equipment to see whether it was something I fancied long-term.

"It was tough at first because it's so very different to motorcross. Everything I'd been taught over the years went out of the window and it was a case of learning to ride a bike all over again. But after a few sessions it began to click and by the end of the summer things were starting to go really well."

He added: "It's probably fair to say that I was just playing at it last year but this summer is going to be very different. "Having found speedway to my liking and having proved I can do it, I've now thrown everything I've got at it both financially and in terms of commitment and I'm absolutely raring to go."

Candy has invested heavily in three brand new bikes, which have all been finely tuned by engine supremo and former Wildcats legend Lew Coffin. He's also attracted support from a number of big sponsors and is determined to repay their faith in him on the track.

He added: "After everything I and my backers have put into this I've got to have a good year. I'm lucky enough to have a great team behind me and I'm confident we'll be okay. Obviously my aim is to help Weymouth win something this season and I'm convinced we're good enough to be league champions. Beyond that I'd like to be pushing for a Premier League ride next summer and hopefully that will be with Wildcats."