AUSSIE charger Zane Keleher insisted there were “no grudges” between him and Pirates’ promotion but admitted he “definitely” had a point to prove.

The Rockhampton-born racer started the campaign with Poole this season, before owner Matt Ford made the decision to drop him from the one-to-seven after five meetings.

Keleher was quickly snapped up by Plymouth Gladiators, and is set to ride against Pirates when the teams do battle in the SGB Championship at Plymouth Coliseum tomorrow (7pm).

Asked whether he had a point to prove to Pirates, Keleher told the Daily Echo: “Yeah, definitely. I think everything happens for a reason and obviously those reasons will sort themselves out in the next few months and years to come, I suppose.”

He added: “I am just looking at the positives and looking ahead to getting going with Plymouth.

“I think it was unfortunate what happened with Poole. I was improving every meeting, getting more and more points on the board.

“But at the end of the day, I guess that’s speedway in the UK and you can’t be expected to be in a team forever, you know?

“If they have to make a change, they have to make a change. I am really excited to go to Plymouth.

“The opportunity happened really quick and they were really keen to have me. I didn’t even hesitate, I took it with open arms and I think it’s going to be really beneficial for me being down there.”

Keleher endured a tough start to life at Wimborne Road with 14+3 points from 19 rides across five meetings.

But he insisted the call from owner Matt Ford to release him still came as a surprise.

Quizzed on what the conversation was like, the racer replied: “Definitely a shock. It was still pretty early in the season. We only had five matches I think, so it was a bit of a shock.

“My results improved in every race, my away scores were two, three and four, and home was one, then four-plus-two.

“I felt like I was doing my job and improving and I think with a few more meetings and stuff under my belt I would have been getting a few more points on the board.

“Dan made it pretty clear that it was Matt’s choice and I don’t hold any grudges towards Matt or Dan.

“At the end of the day, they had to make a decision. Dan and I have seen each other since and everything is okay off the track.

“I don’t want there to be any hard feelings or any grudges or anything.

“I said it was a little bit embarrassing to be dropped by Poole, considering I have got some great Poole sponsors and a lot of fan support.

“Since it has been released everyone has sort of got behind me. I think that’s pretty cool that fans from one club will support you at another club.

“I am really looking forward to doing everyone proud.”

One positive for Keleher comes with the fact he has linked up with mentor Jason Crump at Plymouth.

The three-time world champion featured for Poole in 1991, 1994, 1995 and 2007.

“It’s going to be awesome. Jason and I had a bit of history and we are actually both making our Plymouth debuts tomorrow at one and two,” he added.

“We are going to have three heats racing alongside each other.

“He’s a legend of our sport and he has taught me a few things along the way. Another thing for me is hopefully I’ll get settled in and get nice and comfortable.

“I know him, we’ve got a couple of other Aussies on the team and hopefully we all gel and put in a good team performance.”