David Norris today warned his teenage team mate: "You're in for a culture shock next season."

Rising Eastbourne Eagles star Lewis Bridger has agreed a three-year deal with top-flight Czestochowa in speedway-mad Poland.

It means the 17-year-old can expect a hectic second professional season, having already committed to Eagles and second-tier racing in Sweden.

Norris, one of his senior colleagues at Arlington, knows the Polish scene, having raced for Gdansk in 1995 and Torun in 1999.

He reckons Bridger faces a challenge impressing the Poles but admits life will not be dull.

Norris said: "It's mad over there. It's so intense, there is a lot of pressure.

"You get big crowds but you never really know if people appreciate you.

"They don't speak English and they are so aggressive that they are shouting even when they are happy. It will be a real culture shock and he will learn quickly.

"Maybe he could have waited another year. It's a lot to take on.

"But fair play to him. He's having a go and you can't fault him for that."

Bridger's new commitment means he will face hectic weekends, riding at Arlington and setting off early next morning for the traditional Sunday afternoon race slot in Poland.

He has joined a powerhouse club. Czestochowa finished second in the fiercely competitive Ekstraliga last season and attracted home crowds as big as 13,000 for the clash with eventual champions Wroclaw.

Bridger is joined iat Czestochowa by close friend and former Eagles colleague Edward Kennett.

They will compete for track time in a squad which includes GP stars Antonio Lindback and Greg Hancock as well as Hastings-based Lee Richardson, who recently signed a long-term deal.

Their rivals will include Eastbourne duo Nicki Pedersen and Davey Watt, both of Rzeszow.

Tony Thompson, Bridger's grandad and racing mentor, admitted the team thought long and hard about taking up the Polish challenge.

He said: "Initially we were not sure this was the right move but Lewis needed to ride more and this will move him forward "When we found out Polish tracks must have air fences next year it made our minds up to race there.

"The Polish club promoter even phoned Lewis to wish him happy new year and thank him for signing for them."

Norris believes the Polish track have acted wisely in taking Bridger and Kennett together.

He said: "It's good for Lewis to be going with Edward because otherwise you can be out there for two days without hearing English.

"It's do-able. I hated the travelling and I hope he isn't like me in that respect.

"If I could have coped better with the travelling I would have ridden there for longer.

"It's going to be hard work for him. I hope he doesn't burn himself out but there is only one way to find out."

Bridger will use Richardson's GP bike from last season around the big Polish tracks.

Hagon Shocks, one of Bridger's sponsors, have come up with two Jawa chassis for use in the Elite League and two more for Sweden, where he has signed a three-year contract at top-flight Bajen but will initially ride on loan to Griparna.