NEIL Middleditch last week jetted across the Atlantic to honour Scott Autrey.

The Pirates team boss on Saturday witnessed the induction of the former Wimborne Road star into the prestigious TrailBlazers hall of fame at Carson Center in California.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "Scott really was a trailblazer for American speedway. He was one of the first world-class Americans.

"He came over here, fought officialdom and was followed by the likes of Bruce Penhall, Dennis Sigalos and Bobby Schwartz.

"I was 16 when I met him and he lived with me for six or seven years. One year I think he had an 11.5-point average so he was a tremendous rider.

"He was like a brother to me and remains a very good friend."

Autrey raced for Exeter for seven seasons after arriving on these shores in 1973, winning the British League title in his second campaign.

Third in the 1978 world final, he moved to Swindon in 1980 before spending the final two seasons of his career at Pirates, captaining the side.

Autrey retired from full-time racing after winning the World Team Cup with the United States in 1982.

Middleditch will be in charge for Pirates' home clash with Belle Vue on Wednesday.