JACK HOPING FOR FAMILY SUPPORT

Spearhead Jack Holder is hoping his 2019 return to the No1 Carpet Cleaning Poole Pirates will be a family affair.

Holder will follow in the footsteps of older brother Chris in donning the Number One race jacket when the Pirates’ Class of 2019 gets the new season under way in the Premiership Shield at King’s Lynn on Monday.

While 2012 world champion Chris will once again be absent from British racing at the start of the new campaign, Jack revealed he hopes to have his sibling’s support in the Wimborne Road pit lane should his own European racing schedule allow it.

Jack, whose debut season for the Pirates in 2017 was followed last year by a spell at Somerset, said: “Hopefully Chris will be here when he can.

“He’s doing his own thing out in Andorra but if he’s back in town then I hope he’ll be here, possibly next Thursday for our first home meeting.”

Chris was missing from the Pirates’ 2018 campaign due to off-track issues, but owner Matt Ford has not ruled out the Sydneysider wearing the skull and crossbones race jacket again.

Jack, meanwhile, insisted a foot injury sustained in Torun’s challenge match against Rybnik 11 days ago was “not serious” as the Pirates prepare for Monday’s showdown at the Adrian Flux Arena and Thursday’s return leg at Wimborne Road.

He added: “We had a training meeting in Poland and one of the guys didn’t shut off. My foot ended up in his front wheel, but it’s not too bad. I’ve had some practices and it’s all sweet.”

• Yesterday’s practice session at Wimborne Road was postponed due to the wet weather, with the session rescheduled for 5pm on Wednesday, April 10. The public are welcome to attend.