Speedway: Gamer Dakota North keen to push aside Duty call for more meetings

The Victorian charger, who also rides for Polish outfit Rybnik, raced little in July and admits he filled his time with sessions on first-person shooter Call of Duty.

And the 23-year-old, who defied a disappointing month with a paid 15-point maximum against Wolverhampton on Wednesday, insisted regular meetings would reduce his virtual body count and boost his bank balance.

He told the Daily Echo: "It's been a slow month for me because we've only raced once a week. The rest of the boys have been pretty busy with Sweden but I don't race in that league.

"I reckon I only rode four or five times and played Call of Duty for the seven days in between! I'm pretty good at it, I play online and do alright but it isn't good preparation for racing!

"I need to be racing twice a week. I went into the meeting at Wolves, a track which is pretty tough for me, having not raced and not knowing what I was doing.

"I didn't do my job and after that, the best thing for me to do was take a day off and then come back and go again, and Wednesday was my first paid 15-point maximum for Poole.

"Hopefully, I can carry on where I left off. I'm looking forward to racing regularly because when I'm at home I'm not making money and it's costing me.

"I spend eight months of the year in Britain and sitting around is not what I want to do."

Second-placed Pirates are currently three points behind leaders Coventry in the standings as they chase an unprecedented third straight Elite League title.

And while North would rather be in the box seat, he believes no advantage would be gained by ending the regular season at the top of the pile.

The Aussie added: "Personally, I don't think it matters if we finish second. Anyone is going to fear riding against us after next month.

"I don't think it's a huge loss if we don't finish top. As long as we finish in the top two, that's okay. We want to win the play-off final because that's the meeting that counts."