STRICKEN speedway star Darcy Ward remains determined to see through his world title dreams – by inspiring “idol” Chris Holder to a second crown.

Ward, 23, was widely touted as a future Grand Prix champion before he suffered life-changing spinal injuries while riding in Poland in August.

Holder acted as a mentor to his close friend Ward during his rapid rise to prominence and has been a pillar of support during his ordeal since that fateful day in August.

  • To donate to the fund set up to aid Darcy Ward's rehabilitation, click here.

The 28-year-old, who has yet to announce his plans for 2016 with Poole Pirates set to announce their two heat-leaders this week, faced a series of traumatic injuries himself after lifting the world crown in 2012.

Holder suffered broken shoulder, dislocated and fractured hip and shattered heel in a horror smash at Coventry in July 2013 and then fractured a vertebra in his neck less than a year later.

In interviews last season, the Sydneysider admitted the mental hangover from that neck problem had lingered into 2015 prior to a strong end to the campaign.

And Ward, who has since made public his acceptance that he may never walk again, reckons the time is right for his sidekick to finally banish from his mind the treacherous sequence of accidents.

Ward told the Daily Echo: “I want to help Chris become world champion again. That would be something in my eyes, to get him on the straight and narrow.

“He has that season under his belt now, he believes injuries are not always going happen.

“I need to show him I am alright as well because this has affected Chris just as much as me I think.

“I don’t think confidence is the problem. Everybody says it is but I don’t think that. I see him race and he still has 2012 in him, I can see it.

“He just needs a kick up the backside.”

Explaining his motivation to aid Holder’s cause, Ward continued: “Chris has played a major part in my career.

“During my first three years in England, he helped me every day and even gave me engines for the under-21s when I didn’t have the best equipment.

“He lined up with (renowned engine tuner) Peter Johns, he took me to Torun, he got me in at Poole, he got me in at Motala (Piraterna) in Sweden.

“Chris is my idol I guess, the inspiration for my career so far.”

n Pirates have been forced to cancel tonight’s Riders' Equipment Fund evening due to the enforced absence of co-ordinator Nigel Leahy.

The organising committee has apologised for the late change of plan.

n Poole Pirates' Elite League rivals Wolverhampton have completed their one-to-seven with the signing of Sam Masters and Jacob Thorssell.

The duo join ex-Pirates Kyle Howarth, Mikkel Bech, Freddie Lindgren, Joonas Kylmakorpi and Max Clegg at Monmore Green for 2016.