Gledhill wants to further than his father.

Jack Gledhill has set his sights on going further in speedway than his illustrious father lan. But the teenage Wildcats number two accepts that there's a lot of hard work ahead if he's to achieve his ambition. lan Gledhill was one of the National League's top points scorers in the 70s and won the competition's Riders' Championship in 1979.

"Dad is often with me on race nights," said Gledhill junior, "and he's obviously played a huge role in my career so far. It's great to have him about offering help and advice because he's been there and done it himself. My burning ambition is to go further than him in the sport although I'm well aware that won't be easy. It's all about working hard and making the necessary sacrifices and that's something I'm prepared to do."

After a mixed season in 2004 where Gledhill's home form for Weymouth was never matched by his performances on the road, the Coventry-based Great Britain Under-21 international has made his away displays a priority this summer.

He explained: "I was really pleased with the way I rode at the Wessex Stadium but my away form was a disappointment. Things did start to pick up at the end of the year but it's something I'll be working on this season. Riding at reserve there wasn't as much pressure on me as a lot of the other lads but now I'm up to number two things will be very different. I'm really looking forward to riding alongside number one and captain David Mason and I'm sure I'll learn plenty from him."

He added: "Coming back to Weymouth was what I wanted and I'm delighted to be here for 2005. On paper we look very strong as a team and I'm sure we can be a big success."

Gledhill's team-mate Lewis Bridger is a young man who knows what he wants in life. And the Carpets Galore Wildcats new 15-year-old reserve knows how to get it as well. "I want to be Weymouth's number two rider in 2006," he said, "and partner captain David Mason on the track. To do that I've got to have a really good first season in the Conference League and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Confident words, but then Bridger is a confident lad and few would back against the Sussex-based youngster taking the sport by storm this term. Already he's been the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between the Wildcats and Wimbledon and his local outfit Eastbourne. Eagles recently had him practising with their Elite League squad which includes former World Champion Nicki Pederson and Great Britain star David Norris.

"I was invited to go over to practice with the Eastbourne team in the Isle of Wight," explained Bridger, "and it was a great experience. Working with some of the world's top riders was fantastic. Obviously I'd like to ride at that level one day and riding for Eastbourne has always been my ambition. But I know I've got to put in the performances in the Conference League first and I'm itching to get out there and prove myself."

"If I can get a big average for the Wildcats and get that number two spot in 2006 then I'll be well on my way. I'm too young to ride for a Premier League side at the moment but hopefully I can impress someone at that level with a view to next season. But what's important is doing well for Weymouth and I'm certain we can win something with the team we've got."

"I'm lucky at Weymouth to be surrounded by top guys like David Mason, Dan Giffard, Jack Gledhill, Tom Brown and Lee Smart. They are all riders I can listen to and learn from and that's really important to me."