JAMES Shanes hopes his prior knowledge of the National Speedway Stadium can help him shine in the Knockout Cup.

The Pirates reserve may have no top-flight experience but he has ridden at the Aces' impressive facility before.

And the 20-year-old is striving to emulate his monster 16-point haul for Kent in their National League win at Belle Vue Colts last season, although he accepts tonight's quarter-final second-leg tie will present him with an extremely tough test.

Shanes told the Daily Echo: "I know the track and it suits me quite well coming from a long track background.

"I think I dropped a couple of points there last year. I enjoyed racing on it. It was a little bit slick but I don't know if that's how it normally is.

"It's a proper racer's track. You can create so many different lines on it."

Pirates hold a 46-44 lead heading into tonight's meeting and Shanes added: "Both of their reserves (Dan Bewley and Jack Smith) are quite strong on their day. I've beaten both of them and they have both beaten me.

"Hopefully, I can bring my gating gloves because it makes life a lot easier."

Shanes is due to get his first taste of top-flight league action when Poole visit Leicester tomorrow.