FORMER Pirates star Magnus Zetterstrom has revealed how a conversation with promoter Matt Ford resulted in the introduction of a new rule for this season.

Zorro, who captained Poole to Elite League and KO Cup glory in 2004, brought up the idea for number two second string riders to take the inside gates in heat one of each meeting.

Ford thought it was such a good idea that he pushed it forward at the British Speedway Promoters' Association conference.

And fellow promoters liked it so much they voted to bring it in for the 2007 season.

Up until the end of last season, number one heat leaders from both sides went off the inside gates, with the number twos having to make do with traps three and four.

Zorro, who took part in a behind-closed-doors practice at Poole on Thursday last week, said: "I said to Matt one day last year that we should switch the gates around in heat one because it would make speedway more interesting.

"To have Craig Boyce on the outside with Jason Crump or Bjarne Pedersen on the inside, it is not likely Craig is going to win the heat.

"It is going to be more interesting if Craig jumps from the start and gets away in front.

"The first heat is always on a well watered track with little material on the outside where the dirt hasn't built up.

"Because of that it is always difficult to go around someone in the first heat.

"Now it will be more interesting to see what happens, whether the top guys can pass the number twos if they are beaten out of the gate."

Zorro, who is 35 and rides on loan for Somerset from Poole in the Premier Division this season for a third successive year, recognises he is getting to the twilight of his career.

But he said: "I have always said I will never set a date for my retirement beforehand because I have seen so many riders saying that and then you start getting scared about getting injured.

"I want to concentrate 100 per cent on what I'm doing until the day I say I'm finished.

"You can always be realistic and say I'm 35 now and that I don't think I will be riding when I'm 40.

"I will not set a date. I will carry one as long as I'm enjoying it and having good fun."

Zorro, who may yet ride for Pirates again, continued: "It seems like ages since I first came over to Poole and then crashed and broke my back at Exeter (in 1996).

"I have always been a bit of a slow starter and feel I'm now making up for missing almost two years in England back then," added Zetterstrom "I came over a bit later than riders are used to. People like Hans Andersen and Antonio Lindback were only 18, but I was 24.

"That is why it has been such fun winning the European Championship and Premier League Riders' Championship when you are a little bit older. It is just great.

"Anyway, I don't think age is a problem. It is only a problem for other people.

"As long as you stay away from injuries and are scoring the points, it doesn't matter what age you are."

ends