PIRATES racer Ben Cook admitted he and brother Zach were used to being competitive siblings – but would also be helping each other throughout the British campaign.

While Ben is competing in the skull and crossbones this season, younger brother Zach is plying his trade for Plymouth Gladiators in the SGB Championship.

Zach totalled 7+1 to Ben’s 5+1 when their respective sides met at the Plymouth Coliseum in the Championship Knockout Cup on Tuesday – but Pirates emerged 49-41 winners on the night.

Asked about competing with his brother in the UK, Poole rider Ben told the Daily Echo: “We are used to it – back home in Australia, that’s all we do is pretty much individual meetings, so there has been plenty of hard battles and it will be the same here as well.

“He’s helping me out this year with mechanics and vice-versa, when he’s riding I will go and do that for him.

“It’s good to help each other out when you are this far away from home.”

The pair are both staying with Pirates team boss Neil Middleditch in Sturminster Marshall, along with fellow Aussie Brady Kurtz.