Teenage sensation Lewis Bridger tuned up for his first professional challenge and declared: "I'm here to win it".

The 16-year-old, from Bexhill, has been tipped as a future world champion after a fabulous 2005 season in junior and lower-league events.

Now fans get their first chance to see him in senior company as he joins star riders from both sides of the Atlantic in the Brighton Bonanza on Sunday.

Bridger has yet to announce whether he will be signing for an Elite League track in time for next season after a fabulous 2005 with Weymouth Wildcats in the Conference League, speedway's third division.

But he makes no secret of his ambitions to de-throne Bonanza champion Edward Kennett before a big crowd at the Brighton Centre.

Bridger, who prepared for the popular indoor burn-up by churning through the mud at Reading's outdoor track, said: "I went to the Brighton Bonanza the year before last to watch with my grandad.

"It looked quite fun. I've been brought up on little tracks like Eastbourne, Sittingbourne and Lydd.

"It definitely looks exciting and you get loads of fans. It's a mini Millennium Stadium.

"There's no point turning up if you're not going to try to win it.

"You've got to look at it positively. I think I've got as good a chance as anybody of winning it.

"Maybe I'm a little more flexible than the older riders."

Bridger, who got his first bike at the age of two-and-a-half, enjoys various forms of two-wheel sport and has given himself five years to make an impact in speedway.

His performances last season moved Weymouth boss Brian White to say: "In Lewis Bridger we have a lad who has the ability and potential to become a world champion one day."

Winning the Bonanza would be a fabulous step towards that but he faces massive competition, not least from a young counterpart from across the Atlantic.

Chris Kerr is a few steps ahead of Bridger in terms of development but the 21-year-old from Auburn, California, is out to make his first real impact on a British audience.

Success on Sunday could be enough to earn him a place in the Elite League, possibly with Eastbourne Eagles.

Kerr has been riding speedway since he was eight and Jon Cook, promoter of both the Eagles and the Bonanza, said: "His presence here will alert a few Elite League clubs."

At the other end of the age range, veteran Bobby Schwartz, 49, will look to regain his doubles title along with Shawn McConnell.

Eagles fans will enjoy seeing one of Arlington's all-time greats, Martin Dugard, in action.

Dugard teams up with 2005 Eagles rider Oliver Allen in the pairs (1.30pm), which sets the scene for individual battle (6.30pm).

But one of the biggest cheers will surely be reserved for Eagles asset Sergei Darkin, the Russian rider who turned out for Arena-Essex last season.

Darkin suffered horrific injuries in his home country earlier this year and was on a life support machine for two weeks.

He is making the three-day overland trip with Siberian sidekick Vladimir Dubinin and will be guest of honour along with Barry Briggs.

Darkin's mechanic Steve Chilman said: "It's a long way to come but Sergei lives for speedway and he is happy to be as fit as he is."

Billy Janniro is another of the American raiders who can add indoor glory to the Elite League title he won with Coventry Bees.

And fans will wonder whether Roman Povazhny could have more than just indoor pride to ride for after Cook admitted he would have to make changes to his Eagles line-up.

This is probably the shortest close season speedway has ever known but the mid-winter indoor date is enough to instill youthful enthusiasm into any speedway rider or fan missing his or her favourite sport.

Bridger is no different. He said: "I'm really excited about it.

"I started last season just hoping I'd keep my place as No.6 or No.7 for Weymouth in the Conference League.

"It's quite a big jump to be signing professionally but I'm ready for it."