RENAT Gafurov believes the secret to having a good season for Pirates is to remain relaxed off the track, particularly when he’s globetrotting between meetings.

The experienced Russian arrived in Poole on Monday after completing a gruelling 5,100 kilometre seven-day journey from his hometown of Oktabrskiy, east of Moscow.

On the way, Gafurov called in at the British Embassy in Moscow to obtain his work permit.

Then he called into one of his two Polish bases, Bydgoszcz, to pick up his mechanic, Piotr, before they shared the driving in his van to Dorset.

The 29-year-old rider looked refreshed and at ease as he met the media and Pirates’ season-ticket holders during a practice session at Wimborne Road.

And being fresh on race nights is going to be key for the former Oxford and Swindon rider, who last rode in the British League in 2006.

Particularly as he has an unenviable schedule riding for Gdansk in Poland, Hammarby in Sweden, Vladivostok in Russia, as well as for Pirates.

That’s right, Vladivostok, Russia’s largest port on the Pacific Coast, a city of 700,000 just north of the Chinese coast.

Vladivostok is about 9,000 kilometres from Oktabrskiy, which means it’s about 14,000 kilometres from Poole!

Such is the hectic life of an international speedway rider these days.

Gafurov, speaking through an interpreter, said: “I’ll only have about 12 to 14 meetings for Vladivostok, six or seven at home.

“But I’m not bothered about the travelling. I’ve just got to relax and not think about it.

“I was surprised to get a two-year work permit to ride in Britain. But, hopefully, everything goes good here and my average will be okay.

“If it is, I want to spend those two years with Poole.

“Matt Ford hasn’t given me any targets. He’s just said ‘do your best’.

“I just want to score consistently in every meeting and be in a team that can win some trophies.

“I like small tracks like Poole and everything depends on my form.”

Christian Hefenbrock will fill Pirates’ doubling-up berth in both challenge matches against Eastbourne.