AMBITIOUS Kyle Newman is planning to swiftly make his reserve days a distant memory after hitting the ground running at the start of the new campaign.

The 24-year-old has been a star turn in a bottom-two role in full seasons at Pirates in the past two years, establishing himself as one of the most feared reserves in the top flight.

New rules rubber-stamped by the British Speedway Promoters' Association over the winter mean tier one riders such as Newman will be handed the chance to move into the main body of the team in 2016.

The Poole-born charger, who followed up his paid 20 haul against Coventry in the Elite Shield with paid nine in the Elite League rout of Swindon, will be given a new average after the fourth meeting of the season.

Newman welcomed the rule change and insisted he was ready to regularly mix it with the Elite League's heat leaders and second string riders.

He told the Daily Echo: "My goal for the year is to get out of the reserve positions and stay out of the reserve positions.

"I want to push myself and move on and being in the main body of the team is the main step.

"It worked out perfectly with the new rules and I am happy to start the season at reserve because I know I have the ability to move out. Now I just have to put it down on the track.

"You have to produce in races where there is tougher competition – that is no disrespect to the guys I've ridden against in the past few years – but I feel confident and ready for it."

Newman will also ride for Polish side Pila in 2016 and is hoping an engine purchased from former team-mate Darcy Ward will aid his charge.

The popular local lad, who is without a Premier League place following Plymouth's sudden demise, has been joined in Poole's reserve spots by new recruit Adam Ellis.

France-born Ellis has spent the past two campaigns at Lakeside and Newman backed the 19-year-old to move to a new level in Pirates kevlars.

Newman added: "I was desperately trying to get Adam in the Plymouth team over the winter. He is a really nice lad.

"He has great ability and is more than capable at Elite League level and I think moving to Poole will be a very good step for him.

"We all know how well he can ride so it's a similar situation to me, it's just a case of putting it down on the track now."

Pirates launched their Elite League title defence with an emphatic 61-31 trouncing of Swindon on Good Friday, although the return clash on Easter Sunday was postponed.

Pirates have won three top-flight titles in a row and are hoping to become the first team since Wimbledon Dons in 1961 to scoop four on the spin.