SWINDON Robins team manager Alun Rossiter reckons help from speedway’s highest order will enable reserve rider Zach Wajtknecht to raise his game in 2019.

Over the winter, young Brit Wajtknecht agreed a deal to ride for Swindon for a third straight season in 2019 following two previous years of rapid improvement at the Abbey Stadium.

Wajtknecht’s decision to remain on the Robins’ roster came in the wake of a trip to Australia fresh off the back of the 2018 season – an experience that saw him link up with one of the sport’s greatest sons.

While Down Under, the Bristolian, who turns 21 on Friday, spent time with former world champion Jason Crump, with the Aussie legend only too happy to pass on advice.

Crump, who rode for Swindon in 1993 during a lengthy career in British speedway, is a close friend to current Robins boss Rossiter and the two would often discuss the marginal gains Wajtknecht could make in his riding.

With the 2019 season now just a few months away, Rossiter has no doubt that Wajtknecht will reap the benefits of aid from such an esteemed advisor.

“I am good friends with Jason and when Zach was in Australia over the winter, he had a couple of days at a training school with Jason,” explained Rossiter.

“I gave Jason a call and he gave me some really good feedback and just said the same as what I have always thought – Zach just needs to bring a little bit more of that aggressive grass track style into his speedway racing.

“If he does that, I believe he can go up another couple of notches.

“I still speak to Jason on a regular basis through the year. We are great friends and go back a long way. When I knew Zach was going out there, I gave Jason a call and asked him to look after him.

“I know Jason has tried to help him with his gating and setting up the bikes, positioning the seat – all stuff like that.

“He has spoken to him about where he thinks he can change things and both Zach and myself got some very positive feedback from Jason.”

Wajtknecht enjoyed a strong season at the bottom of the order for Swindon, finishing the SGB Premiership campaign with a green sheet average of 4.33 across 20 meetings – a figure that rises to 5.60 from 10 fixtures at the Abbey Stadium.

The 20-year-old also enjoyed personal success in his other primary racing field of grass tack riding, with Wajtknecht crowned British Masters champion in 2018 as well as finishing third in the European Championships.

In order to take the next step in speedway racing, Rossiter wants Wajtknecht to transfer some of his grass track skills on to the shale.

“Zach is a grass track rider, so the only thing I would maybe look to improve slightly is for him to be as aggressive on a speedway track as he is on the grass track,” said Rossiter.

“He is comfortable, smooth and stylish and it seems effortless. I’m not saying he doesn’t give a lot of effort – because he absolutely does – it is that he has got a nice, easy style.

“If he can bring that little bit more aggression to his speedway riding, he will make even further strides this year.”