Middleditch hopes youngster Perry has 'fire in his belly' after impromptu gating lesson

Team boss Neil Middleditch urged youngster Max Perry to find the “fire in his belly” as the Poole Pirates teamed up to offer him some advice.

Teenage reserve Perry has found points difficult to come by in recent weeks, as he learns the ropes in his first season at SGB Championship level.

Following last Wednesday’s 61-29 victory over Workington Comets at Wimborne Road, Perry was given an impromptu gating lesson from heat leaders Tom Brennan and Richard Lawson.

He has since thanked the duo via social media, with Middleditch hopeful the knowledge passed on could aid the reserve racer.

Middleditch said: “The team spirit is really good. Max is a very quiet lad and doesn’t vent his frustrations on anybody.

“He needs to get a bit of fire in his belly and it’s nice that Tom and Richard were out there helping him out – it can only do good and he needs track time.

“He needs gating practice, that’s what he needs. We know he can ride a bike. If he can make a start, he will beat his opposite number and that’s his job.

“But he needs to make some starts and that is imperative that he learns to make starts. It’s only a few minutes but it may make all the difference.

“His dad says to me he hasn’t really had anyone to teach him. I don’t think Max’s dad has ever ridden, so it’s difficult for him to pass on knowledge.

“That’s why it’s good the boys are out there trying to help him out and pass on their knowledge. Hopefully that will bode well for the future.”

Pirates are back in action at home against Plymouth Gladiators in the BSN Series on Wednesday (7.30pm).

?? WEDNESDAY | POOLE v PLYMOUTH

?? BSN action returns as we clash with our Southern rivals at Wimborne Road this Wednesday!

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They also head to the Coliseum on Saturday for the away fixture, knowing sealing the aggregate bonus point across the two meetings would see them progress to the semi-finals of the competition.

Promoter Danny Ford said: “Plymouth are certainly not going to be any pushover. They showed their mettle at Edinburgh on Friday night when they picked up a Championship away win and ran Berwick close on Saturday.

“Add in the fact that they have riders that can certainly get around our place and arguably have a strong home advantage on their small circuit, I think it is very clear that we are going to be facing a tough 30 heats of racing.

"There are two important meetings coming up but we believe that we can keep our interest in the competition as we seek to successfully defend the title we won last year."