EURO CHAMP GIVEN PIRATE BERTH

The 2016 European Grasstrack champion James Shanes has been signed up by the Pirates for the 2017 season.

The 19 year old local lad from Puddletown will occupy one of the two reserve berths as he slots in on a 2 point average under the new arrangements agreed at the Promoter's AGM last month.

In announcing Shanes, on loan from third tier outfit Kent, Poole boss Matt Ford claimed "we saw what riding for your local club did for Kyle Newman and I would like to think that James can develop in a similar fashion. He is a near neighbour of Kyle and I am sure there will be plenty of encouragement for James. It is a very big step up for him and rest assured there will be no pressure on him. By taking advantage of the sub 3-point figure it does allow more scope at the higher end of the team and I believe that the other six riders will be able to carry James if they need to.

"In saying that however, James is a very determined individual as he showed in last season's Premier league play-off when he guested for Somerset. The reports I had back about him were encouraging and I know he will be keen to rise to the challenge for us."

Shanes who achieved an 8 point average in last year's National League, will be a Longtrack Grand Prix competitor in 2017 and becomes the third rider confirmed by the Pirates, joining Hans Andersen (10.01) and Jack Holder (7.16) in the starting line-up.