PIRATES racer Brady Kurtz hopes to pass his number one audition and insists: "I'm here to be the best."

Kurtz will complete a remarkable journey when he assumes the spearhead role for tonight's SGB Premiership clash with fellow play-off chasers Belle Vue at Wimborne Road (7.30pm).

As late as June last year, the Aussie was riding at reserve for Poole but 12 months later, he is set to complete a meteoric rise up the order.

For now, it is likely he will only hold top billing for one meeting as Pirates chief Matt Ford has confirmed Krzysztof Kasprzak will return next month, provided nothing "untoward" occurs.

But former Somerset star Kurtz already has his sights set on a quick return to the number one berth and is keen to make it his own.

Reflecting on his rapid rise to prominence, Kurtz told the Daily Echo: "It's not really what I expected but it's being going well for me so if number one is where I've got to go, I will turn up and get on with the job like normal.

"When we have had a few more meetings and everyone's averages have changed again, hopefully, I can go back there. That's why I'm here, to be number one and be the best.

"I'm starting to enjoy the track at Poole. I've got it dialled in now and if I hit the front, I can beat anyone. It's all about making starts. If I can do that, I think I will be all right.

"I always knew I would come good round here, it's just such a hard place to get right. That's why it's easier for me to score big now, because away riders don't really enjoy riding here."

Ford confirmed Kasprzak would return to Pirates despite admitting the Polish charger had "let us down" earlier in the campaign.

Kasprzak has not raced in the skull and crossbones since the beginning of May having sustained a broken collarbone in a crash in his homeland.

The 32-year-old had struggled to hit top form early in the season and after news of his injury broke, Pirates signed former Swindon racer Grzegorz Zengota as cover.

However, Zengota's modest performances have not given Ford the selection headache he hoped for and with Kasprzak now riding for Polish club Gorzow and eligible to return to British racing, he is set to feature against King's Lynn in a fortnight.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "At this point in time, Kasprzak will return for the meeting on July 12. That's our plan unless something untoward happens.

"He is very capable of coming back and being the rider we all expect him to be. I'm really hopeful and confident of that.

"He knows he has let us down this season and there's no mucking about in this game – you either achieve or you lose your place.

"He will not want to do that as he doesn't have a deal in Sweden. He wants to stay sharp. I'm expecting him to come back and set the tone."