Brit Simon Stead is desperate to lift more silverware this season as he looks to help drive King's Lynn Stars to Elite League glory.

The experienced 30-year-old tasted success last term as part of the Swindon Robins team which won the 2012 title.

And the popular rider, who was released after four years at the Abbey Stadium in November, is hoping he can reach British speedway's summit again – this time at the Norfolk Arena.

The former Team GB rider said: 'I'm really looking forward to the new challenge. I had four years at Swindon so I was probably ready for a change. To go out as league champion was fantastic. But that's something I want to keep hold of. I think we've got a team that's certainly capable of keeping that title, so that's what we'll be aiming for.

'Buster's (Chapman, Lynn owner) been involved for a long time and I've got a lot of respect for him and what he's done for British speedway and this club in particular. Obviously I knew Rob (Lyon, team boss) from when I was involved in Team GB with him and he's somebody who I've always got on well with and kept in contact with. So there were lots of positives about the place and all-in-all it was a great package and I can't wait to get started.'

The much-travelled Yorkshireman, a three-time British under-21 champion, wants to recapture the form which saw him represent his country at a host of World Cup events during the early 2000s.

A doubling-up position with his home city club Sheffield Tigers in the Premier League should give him some much-needed track time this term and Stead admits it should only help him return to his outstanding form of yester-year.

The 30-year-old, talking about his lack of racing over the last few campaigns, said: 'It's hampered my progress for three or four years now and that's something that was beyond my control. But the rules have rightly been changed and fortunately I can double-up now.

'It looks like, looking at my schedule, I'll do more meetings in one season than I have done in three. And I think time on a bike will improve me as a rider again and we can have a great season.

'I've ridden with Mads (Korneliussen) before, I rode with Seb (Alden) last season and I've ridden with Rory (Schlein) before. There's been some great banter from the start at Lynn and I think that is important. If you look at the teams that do well, Swindon last year, Poole in general, they all have great team spirit. And judging on what we've had so far it looks great here too.'