Kyle Hughes reckons his racing style caught the eye of Eastbourne Eagles’ top man last year.

Now he hopes to impress Arlington fans and help his new track challenge for the National League title.

The 26-year-old from Bury St Edmonds will start the 2016 campaign at the top of the order after signing as No.1.

Hughes inherits top spot from Bradley Wilson-Dean, who has moved into the Premier League with Somerset. Although he insists he is very much his own man, Hughes is delighted his racing style impressed the Kiwi, who was a massive fans favourite for the treble-winning Eagles last term.

Hughes told The Argus: “There were times when Brad beat me easily but I beat him a couple of times last year and he usually had to try hard against me.

“We became mates because of that. I think he loved the racing. It was hard and competitive and always fare.

“He knew he was going to the Premier League and he said there was a possibility I would go to Eastbourne.

“If I did he said he would help me out with a couple of bikes and give whatever advice he could. He is due to come down here some time during the season. That’s nice to know but I’m my own rider.

“I’m here as No.1. I’ve ridden No.1 before quite a few times although last season I moved to No.5 because Rye House had Rob Branford.

“I’m not a ten-point rider currently but I could be. I’m an 8.5 or 9-point rider but Eastbourne had to go that way to build the team.

“I never want to copy riders but I always give 100%. I might not get as many maximums as Brad did here but I will race hard.”

Hughes believes Eastbourne have massive home track advantage at Arlington, as their perfect record throughout 2015 underlines.

But they took their time finding winning form on their travels last term and he hopes to help them put that right.

He said: “I’ve been in this league for ten seasons and I know all the tracks except Belle Vue. I do well on big tracks and small tracks.

“If anybody is struggling anywhere, I would be happy to help. They’ve only got to ask me – but a lot of it is in a rider’s head. Speedway tracks are not much different to each other really. They are all round!

“I know some away riders coming down to Eastbourne are scared of the track. That’s a great position for the home team to be in.

“I don’t think it’s a scary track.

“It’s more a matter of the home riders being so good around there.”

Hughes averaged 8.82 including bonus points for Rye House last season - 8.17 away from home - and posted two double-figure scores at Arlington.