PAUL Starke says moving to Dudley Heathens will enhance his career.

The Malvern-based rider joins the club on a 5.70 average and club bosses believe he will make a mockery of that figure.

And Starke says the experience of riding in front of big crowds when Plymouth opened will benefit him in Heathens colours at their temporary Wolverhampton home.

He said: “I’m really, really happy to have signed for Dudley. I think it’s a move that is going to benefit me and help further my career, so I can’t wait to try and get some silverware after they just missed out last year.

“I think it’s a team of riders who are all moving forward, and it’s a side with lots of potential. We’ve got some young riders in the team who with the right riders alongside them and the right attitude can really push on to make a big impact.

“Hopefully we can all come together well to bring the title to Dudley.

“Me, Lewis (Blackbird) and Ash (Morris) in particular are all capable of doing the business and moving forward.

“Our Premier League experience comes into it as well, so if there is stuff we can pass on to the younger lads to help them I’m sure we can all pull together to do the job.”

Starke endured a difficult 2012 at the Isle of Wight but is confident of bouncing back.

He added: “It’s been a bad year but I’d like to finish top of the averages in the team in 2013 to be honest. That’s my aim and I don’t see any reason I’m not capable of doing that.”

“I went to the Isle of Wight because it’s a big track and I lacked the experience on the big tracks.

“Smaller tracks are my speciality really so I can’t wait to start winning races at Monmore Green and enjoying myself.

“Monmore is a brilliant track. It’s brilliantly prepared and you know what to expect there every week.

“There is a real home track advantage because it’s prepared consistently every week.

“That’s exactly what we need as a team; we need to know the set-ups and how the track is going to react to different conditions.

“There’s no better feeling than knowing you have great backing from your supporters. I rode for Plymouth when they had 1,000 people every week and it makes the team desperate to win and to put on a show.

“I know from when I raced against Dudley last year that their supporters are fantastic and really get behind their team, so I am really looking forward to becoming a part of that.”

Starke joins Blackbird, Morris, Dan Greenwood, Nathan Greaves and Max Clegg in the 2013 Heathens side with the final signing to be announced early in January.