MATT Ford is tipping Pirates target Martin Vaculik to be a roaring success in the UK despite his disappointing showing in the World Under-21 Championship at Wimborne Road.

The Slovakian, who has already held talks with Ford regarding a possible move to the Castle Cover-sponsored outfit, mustered eight points from five outings during Sunday’s first round.

Vaculik failed to register a victory and paid dearly for some poor gating – with reigning under-21 champion and podium topper Darcy Ward trouncing him in heat nine.

However, despite Vaculik’s indifferent display, promoter Ford remains determined to clinch the signing of the 21-year-old GP Challenge finalist.

Ford, who put up Vaculik over the weekend, told the Daily Echo: “Martin was desperately disappointed on Sunday. He is an immensely better rider than that and just didn’t get his set up right. He brought engines from Poland that he thought would be suitable for the track and they weren’t.

“I think it was clear to see that most of the riders who finished high up all ride regularly in the UK. That was certainly the case with the top three, Darcy Ward, Dennis Anderson and Maciej Janowski.

“Martin is a great talent and anybody who has been following speedway during the past three years would know all about him.

“I first tried to sign him three years ago but, at the time, Martin felt it would not be the right move to come across to the UK.

“I think he was perhaps a little reluctant because of the smaller type of track. However, he has reconsidered and now believes the UK will be a big part of his progress.

“We have already discussed terms and he is going to come over again in August for further talks. At that point, I imagine we would look to cross the Ts and dot the Is.

“It remains to be seen whether or not it would be for him to come into the team for 2012 but I would not totally rule out the chance of him appearing for us this year, if the need were to arise.”

Ward, who beat Janowski and Andersson in a run-off for rostrum places on Sunday after the trio had finished on 14 points, has admitted he might not be ready for a full-time Grand Prix debut next year.

The 19-year-old has made no secret of the fact he wants a wild card berth for the Polish GP, which takes place the day before the next round of the under-21 championship at the end of August.

Ward, in an interview with FIM Speedway, said: “To be honest, I’d rather just have a couple of one-off appearances, do a wild card this year and one next year.

“The Grand Prix is hard and I don’t know if I am ready for it. I’m 50-50 on it.

“I’d rather be 100 per cent and go in there with confidence, so you probably won’t see me in the Grand Prix.”