PROUD PERRY PLEASED TO BE A PIRATE

16 year-old Max Perry joins the Poole Pirates for 2024 season

Max, who only turned senior racing age after the start of last season, will join Sam Hagon as reserve for the forthcoming campaign, joining the Pirates on a 2-point average.

Poole promoter Dan Ford, in welcoming Max to the side, revealed "Max was in our plans long before the decision was ratified at the recent AGM for all clubs to commit to the Youth Programme and with Max joining Tom Brennan and Sam Hagon in the team for this year certainly means that Poole have three highly talented young British riders.""As far as the two point riders are concerned Max is right up there, probably one of the best as his average last season in the NDL and he shows no fear as he demonstrated in his great heat win in the Championship Pairs when he led home Josh Pickering and Kyle Howarth. "We had planned to make Max a Pirate even prior to the horrific injuries he sustained during the NDL Grand Final at Oxford on the last day of the 2023 campaign, and thankfully he is on the way to recovery and assures us that he will be ready to race come the start of the season, which is fantastic news. "

That is something the rider is looking to with equal relish as he reveals "I used to watch Poole when I was younger so to ride for a  club I used to support feels a bit surreal. I was really surprised to receive a phone call from Matt [Ford]. I was not expecting it and I feel honoured to be asked to be a Poole Pirate. Poole is going to be a fantastic club to start my championship career with. I know I will gain a lot of experience, receive the right guidance and it will give me a big confidence boost riding with such a great team."

Max claims "my recovery is heading in the right direction. I am working hard at home as well as having a private physio session each week, which is very kindly being supported by the Ben Fund. In January those sessions will be increased to two per week with the aim of getting back on my bike in February."