The club's number eight was desperate to get a taste of top-class racing in the Elite League and the Peterborough management were only too happy to oblige.

The Midlands-based Redcar rider has been earning rave reviews in his debut Premier League season – and he has not looked out of place in with the big boys either.

Proctor, who became the club's squad rider in May, has already ridden in four away meetings for Panthers during 2008.

And he had his most successful Elite League outing to date when notching 7+2 points in the KO Cup quarter-final second leg clash at Lakeside on Friday.

Proctor found that tiny track to his liking but is now setting his sights on something much bigger – the East of England Showground.

He is relishing the prospect of making his home Panthers debut when they take on Swindon tonight (7.30pm).

Proctor said: "Riding in the Elite League was a big ambition of mine and I was desperate just to be able to sample one match.

"I have been lucky enough to do quite a few so I am very pleased that Peterborough gave me the chance.

"It is really good to be able to have a crack at racing in the Elite League so early in my career. The experience and knowledge I gain will only help me and hopefully it can be of some benefit to the club as well.

"I watched a meeting at Peterborough earlier in the season when I came down to sign as the number eight and I really like the look of the place.

"I have a good, strong motor but having never ridden there before, it will be interesting to see how I go.

"I had never raced at Lakeside until Friday, but when I got out there I found out it is a wicked track.

"I love these tight and technical tracks. They are heaps of fun to ride and you have to really use your head to find the quickest way round."

Proctor and frequent guest Ryan Fisher have filled the reserve void left by Danish rider Henrik Moller's departure. Panthers are still searching for a permanent replacement for Moller (left) who decided he wasn't up to Elite League racing.

A more immediate concern is bouncing back to top form and erasing the memory of a dreadful 51-39 home defeat at the hands of Lakeside in the first of that KO Cup showdown on Thursday.

The Robins have been rocked by the loss of rising star Troy Batchelor with an elbow problem and will operate rider-replacement to cover the absence of their third heat leader.

But they still pose a tough test according to Panthers team boss Trevor Swales.

"It will be another very hard meeting, but we have to make sure it ends with the right result," said Swales. "Swindon are a decent side on their travels and they have proved a lot of people wrong already this year.

"I am particularly looking forward to seeing Ty in action at the Showground. He is a young man who really impresses me and hopefully he can take his form of Friday into this meeting."