PIRATES have acted quickly to sign Polish teenager Krzysztof Kasprzak for the 2003 season under fierce competition from a host of Elite League rivals.

Poole Meridian Lifts have beaten off the attentions of at least four other top-flight tracks, with Ipswich believed to be one of them, to capture the 18-year-old's signature.

Kasprzak, son of former Leszno rider and Polish champion Zenon Kasprzak, finished second in this year's World Under-21 Final.

A week after losing a run-off for that title to Lukas Dryml, Kasprzak junior was runner-up, again after a run-off, to Magnus Zetterstrom in the European Championship.

The youngster has just completed a week's tour of riding on English tracks.

Kasprzak didn't perform well in the 16-Lap Classic at Ipswich and his scheduled appearance for Poole in a challenge match at Somerset was washed out.

But it was his winning of the Pairs Championship on the Isle of Wight with David Kujawa and 12 points from six rides for a Polish Select in their 57-33 defeat at Poole last week that secured his deal with the Dorset club.

Pirates co-promoter Matt Ford said: "Krzysztof is an exciting young talent and has signed for next year on a 4.50 point average as a new foreigner.

"Even though we don't know what the rules are going to be for 2003, his average means we can incorporate him in any format.

"He didn't do too well at Ipswich but showed his liking for the Poole track with 12 points against us, including two wins.

"Krzysztof also won his last race on the Isle of Wight to snap up the Pairs title with Kujawa and looked good.

"There were seven clubs in total after him, four or five in the Elite League with a couple of Premier tracks making overtures for his signature as well.

"He has come to England and liked what he has seen. We believe him to be a great prospect for the future. At whatever level Poole ride, Krzy-sztof will ride for us next year."

Ford added: "We believe his signature to be a long term move for the club. He has 15 years ahead of him in the sport.

"He was first choice for us out of the Poles in 2002, but he couldn't come due to his extensive continental commitments with Leszno in Poland and in the World Under-21 and Under-19 championships.

"He has also just signed for Smederna in Sweden. Now he feels he can fit a British League racing commitment into his schedule in 2003.

"I believe Krzysztof will not put it all right in one year but over a period of three to four years. That's why we have applied for a three-to-four year work permit from the Depart-ment of Employment. We don't foresee a problem with that because he has all the qualifications."

Poole's fans will get their next chance to see Kasprzak in action in December when the Pole takes part in the Brighton Bonanza indoor meeting.

The line-ups for tonight's (Oct 16) Craven Shield Final first leg at Poole (7.30pm) are:

Pirates: 1 Peter Karlsson (guest), 2 Henka Gustafsson, 3 Magnus Zetterstrom (guest), 4 Bjarne Pedersen, 5 Hans Andersen, 6 Lars Gunnestad. Non-riding reserve: Andre Compton.

Coventry: 1 Billy Hamill, 2 Billy Janniro, 3 Lee Richardson, 4 Tomas Topinka, 5 Joe Screen (guest), 6 Stuart Robson. Res: Ryan Fisher.

Ipswich: 1 Jarek Hampel, 2 Chris Slabon, 3 Scott Nicholls, 4 Danny Bird, 5 Craig Boyce, 6 Joonas Kylmakorpi. Res: Kim Jansson.

Pirates are running a supporters' coach to the third leg at Coventry on Saturday (.

Cost per seat is £16 per person and £15 for elite members.

The coach will depart Poole Stadium at 2pm.