Reid Battye has a hotline to a former world champion as he prepares to make his European debut for Berwick Bandits this spring.
The 24-year-old – who switched to speedway just over four years ago after a successful career in road racing – joins countrymen Nick Morris and Jye Etheridge in Bandits line-up.
Battye, who won the Northern Territories State title and showed well in the Australian National Championship, revealed that three-time world winner Jason Crump is a phone call away.
The ambitious young racer revealed that Crump has been helping him prepare for British racing, calling or sending messages with tips, and he will be on the end of a phone when he gets over to Berwick.
Despite making rapid progress domestically and also competing internationally in SuperSport and Superbikes – including a spell as a factory rider for Suzuki Australia – Battye made the switch to speedway.
He said: “Road racing was just so expensive and it was the right time to switch and it’s been a good summer over here. I’ve trained very hard and worked hard and I’ve been getting the rewards.
“Getting the British contract all happened pretty quickly and I can’t wait now to get over to Berwick.”
TRAINING: Battye working hard on his racing before jetting to Britain.
