PIRATES new boy Dakota North got his Australian Solo Speedway Championship campaign off to a strong start as he racked up 13 points at Gillman.

North trails just Jason Doyle on 17 and Rohan Tungate on 15 following the opening round at the Adelaide circuit.

However, Pirates star and defending champion Chris Holder struggled to eight points and placed joint-seventh.

Holder, who borrowed an engine from younger brother and fellow competitor Jack, managed just five points from his opening four rides but won his fifth race to make the B final.

However, Holder was pushed into third in the B final as winner Justin Sedgmen progressed to the A final.

Three wins had helped North qualify for the A final with 13 points but he fell at the first attempt.

All four riders came back for the re-run and Doyle prevailed with Sedgmen second and Tungate third.

The next round is at Mildura’s Olympic Park on Monday and further meetings are set to follow at Undera and Kurri Kurri.

Standings: 1 Doyle 17, 2 Tungate 15, 3= North 13, 3= Sedgmen 13, 5 Josh Grajczonek 11, 6 Max Fricke 10, 7= Chris Holder 8, 7= Tyson Nelson 8, 9 Sam Masters 8, 10= Jake Allen 6, 10= Jack Holder 6, 12= Kieran Sproule 3, 12=Brodie Waters 3, 14= Joey Ringwood 2, 14= Jack Fallon 2, 16 Josh Coyne 1.