'My season starts tonight'
Danny King is relishing his new points-scoring responsibility ahead of a season that could shape his career.

The 21 year-old has returned to Alwalton for a second season on loan from parent club Ipswich.

Last year Panthers fans had to wait until the summer months to see King shine, but they can expect to see the very best of the Huntingdon lad this year from the very first time the tapes go up.

"My season starts tonight," said King. "Not June or any other month – I want to hit the ground running.

"I have never been this excited about starting racing. I can't wait to get out there and start scoring points.

"There are no excuses for me this year. I had a lot on my plate last year and didn't even know I would be able to ride for Peterborough until about a month before the season started.

"I couldn't plan, I couldn't prepare and I couldn't get going once the season was under way. But I took everything to pieces, started again and then showed what I can do.

"And hopefully I will be doing that from the very start this year in what is going to be the most even season for years.

"Every team has a big chance and there are nine title contenders, but it would be awesome to win it with Peterborough."

King insists he can live up to the responsibility of having to be a regular source of points.

After hitting top form approaching the middle of last season, King frequently exceeded expectations as a free-scoring reserve and second string.

Then his hefty hauls were a pleasant bonus for the Panthers management. Now they are must.

King (below) added: "Once everything fell into place I held my own when I was riding in the main body of the team.

"I am an ambitious man and don't want to stay as a reserve and second string forever. I'm relishing the chance to be a heat leader and I feel I can score plenty of points.

"I am looking for double figures every meeting at home and I have enough experience of all the away tracks to chip in with a fair few on the road as well."

And King also has some lofty individual targets.

He is determined to secure a rostrum finish in the British Final (an impressive performance in the corresponding event kickstarted his improvement last year) and he would love to earn the wildcard for the British GP at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff (he was an unused track reserve in 2007).

King continued: "I had a good meeting in the British Final last year but was disappointed to go out in the semi-final.

"I felt I had ridden well enough to get through to the final and but for being shoved really wide in the semi I might well have made it.

"I want to improve on that this year and don't think it is unrealistic to aim for a top three finish. Getting the wildcard for Cardiff would be brilliant as well.

"I've always been to the British GP as a fan and then last year was a reserve. I didn't get a ride but it was a great experience just to be there as Chris Harris won and it certainly inspired me.

"I would love to ride for my country as well and I will be doing my best to impress the new GB boss, whoever that may be."