NEW recruit Rohan Tungate is hoping to step up to Elite League level and become Pirates’ next wonder from Down Under.

Tungate will aim to follow in some illustrious Australian tyre tracks when he links up with the Wimborne Road outfit next season.

The 22-year-old will form part of Pirates’ Elite League team after being signed on a doubling-up basis for the 2013 campaign.

Tungate, who will also represent Ipswich in the Premier League, arrives with a promising reputation following his debut year in British speedway.

He upped his Premier League average from 5.00 to 6.78 last term and was the Witches’ most improved rider.

Pirates have a strong tradition of Australian stars after Chris Holder and Darcy Ward followed the likes of Davey Watt, Jason Crump and Craig Boyce.

And New South Wales-born Tungate told the Daily Echo: “Hopefully, I can go along the same lines as them and step up to what they are doing.

“That is the plan and that is what I want to do. Hopefully, it all works out. It takes time but it is possible.

“You have got to learn to crawl before you walk but it is all possible.”

Tungate, who was this week named among the seeds for the Australian Championships, revealed that he had jumped at the chance to join Pirates.

He is keen to enhance his reputation by learning alongside world champion Holder and Grand Prix ace Ward in the top flight.

“Hopefully, I can step up, move forward and do a good job,” said Tungate, speaking to the Echo from Australia.

“My aim is just to learn as much as I can, up my average, move forward and gain as much experience as I can.

“I know Chris and Darcy pretty well and I get on well with them. With them being in the team, it will help a lot.

“It will be good experience and, hopefully, I can learn a lot from that and I am looking forward to it.”

Tungate will be joined by big-scoring compatriots Holder and Ward in the 2013 Poole Pirates line-up.

Robert Miskowiak, Maciej Janowski and Kyle Howarth have also been announced by the Dorset club, with one rider still to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, Poole rookie Tungate is looking for sponsors. For further information, contact the Wimborne Road speedway office on 01202 681145.