PIRATES newcomer Karol Zabik believes his childhood hero Craig Boyce has a key role to play in his success at Wimborne Road this term.

The Poole legend, who retired from racing over the winter, will tune the Pole's British engines this season.

Boyce's mechanical skills have gained him a strong reputation among the Elite League's finest.

But it was the Australian's on-track prowess which first brought him to the attention of a young Zabik - not to mention his infamous right hook.

The former world under-21 champion said: "Boycey is a legend for me, as well as the Poole fans. When I was a young child, I watched him ride as number three in the world.

"I remember when he punched Tomasz Gollob in the British Grand Prix at Hackney in 1995 - that was good fun!"

Boyce's racing days may be behind him but few can rival his knowledge of the Wimborne Road track. Zabik wasted no time in tapping the 40-year-old's expertise and he is determined to make the most of it this year.

He added: "Boycey has sorted all the engines for me and I'm really grateful to him. He's a clever guy and that will help me.

"I spoke to him about British tracks and he has taught me to ride them normally and not to be scared of them, so I'll definitely try to do that."

This will prove easier said than done for any Polish rider trying to acclimatise to Britain's much tighter circuits.

Zabik notched just two points at Lakeside last Friday, as he struggled to get to grips with its tricky turns. But having practised at Eastbourne during the pre-season, he is ready to travel to Arlington for part two of the Good Friday double-header against the Eagles.

He added: "British circuits are much smaller than the ones in Sweden and Poland. But I will get used to them - I just need a little bit of time."