Luke Harris wants to show Eastbourne fans he is learning fast – as a speedway apprentice.

Eagles’ new signing is a member of the new Poultec speedway apprentice scheme headed by short-lived ex-Eagle Ollie Allen.

He is getting track time, learning about riding techniques, building his aerobic fitness and being instructed on the basics of mechanics.

Now the 17-year-old has the chance to learn a lot more, the hard way, as one of three new Eastbourne signings.

Harris, Adam Ellis and Ellis Perks make their debuts for the Arlington outfit at home to Mildenhall in tonight’s Knockout Cup tie (7.30pm). The sides reconvene tomorrow at West Row for the second leg (3.30pm).

That means Harris starts this season as he ended last year – with a Cup tie in East Sussex. He believes he has progressed since struggling for Cradley in the second leg of last term’s final. Now comes the chance to prove it at No.2 in the order.

He told The Argus: “I’ve not long left school and I’m on the Poultec course. I have learnt quite a lot from it regarding fitness.

“Ollie Allen has also helped me with my starts and my position on the bike. It has helped quite a lot. I can see the confidence starting to get back in. It has been a valuable course.

“We do the mechanical side as well. Last year I wasn’t very confident bike-wise and what I am doing but again, with Poultec, it has boosted my confidence.

“I know what to do to the bike to tweak things. It has helped me quite a bit.”

Harris started this season without a club but seized the opportunity when injuries to Kyle Hughes and Richard Andrews led to a re-shuffle at Eastbourne.

He said: “I had some clubs enquire but it wasn’t suitable for me and my dad, who is a big part of my racing.

“We thought we would bide our time for when a club came to ask us in case somebody got injured. In the end we got a good deal out of it!”

Harris has a grasstrack background, which has often been very useful for promising speedway riders, thanks to his dad Mark.

The Northolt-based racer said: “Ever since I was little he always wanted to get me into racing. He is the one who puts all the money and effort into it.

“I wouldn’t be where I am now without his support. He used to do grasstrack racing. He didn’t do much speedway.

“His main goal was to get me into grasstrack and started making our way on to the shale.”

He picked up tips on how to ride Arlington from Martin Dugard during a practice last Saturday before rain arrived to wash out that evening’s league clash with Kent.

The competitive home season finally gets under way tonight with Eagles defending one of the three trophies they won last October.

Dugard said: “Our last three matches have been postponed because of rain and it will be virtually a month since we last raced.

“It feels like we will be starting the season all over again. This is a big match for us, and we certainly cannot afford to be complacent.”

Dugard hopes to see Eagles forge a tie-winning lead at Arlington ahead of the second leg.

But he added: “Having said that, I think this year’s team has the ability to win both home and away. We will look to win at their track as success breeds success.”

Mildenhall are led by Danny Halsey who rode for the Eagles at Elite League level as a fast track reserve. Backing him is 41-year-old Jon Armstrong, whose racing career began in 1992.