IPSWICH Evening Star Witches rising star Daniel King today revealed the secret behind his success.The 18-year-old, already tipped as a potential future world champion, said that he owes Grand Prix rider Hans Andersen a great deal.

IPSWICH Evening Star Witches rising star Daniel King today revealed the secret behind his success.

The 18-year-old, already tipped as a potential future world champion, said that he owes Grand Prix rider Hans Andersen a great deal.

The Dane did not receive the best press last year after being accused of helping Sweden beat Team Great Britain in the World Cup final.

And Andersen had a couple of public spats with Scott Nicholls, the 2004 Witches skipper and fellow heat leader.

But he ended the campaign easily topping the Ipswich rider of the season poll held in The Evening Star.

Andersen took time out from his busy schedule to work in the pits during King's British Under-18 success at Wolverhampton last year.

“Hans has been a great help,” revealed King.

“He has been in regular touch during the close-season and has become my role model.

“He does not have to take an interest in me, but he is always giving advice and helping out in any way he can. I would not be so far forward as I am now without his assistance.”

King is confident he can make as big a stride in 2005 as he did last year.

The 18-year-old admits that he was surprised at the progress he made last season when he came from nowhere to ride a whole season in the Sky Bet Elite League.

He completed the paperwork to continue his career with the Witches last week - and cannot wait for the season to start. The current England Under-18 champion will be in for a busy time as he has also signed for Premier League Rye House.

This is a perfect arrangement for the Huntingdon-based youngster as it will improve King's financial lot and give him a much better chance of tasting the delights of crossing the finishing line accompanied by the wave of the chequered flag.

“It should work out well,” said King. “Rye House promoter Len Silver is happy for me to ride in every Ipswich match and I don't anticipate missing out on any Witches' meetings.

“It is an ideal arrangement and my goal is to carry on improving. I was thrown in at the deep end somewhat last year, but both John and Chris Louis had faith in me and I was happy with my scores.

“I have to admit that it did surprise me somewhat. Being able to hold my own among the best riders in the world has boosted my confidence and I now know in my own mind that I am capable of making a name for myself in the sport.”

King reached the World Under-21 semi-final last year and has set his sights on going one better in 2005.

John Louis noticed King's potential as a 16-year-old and quickly signed him as an Ipswich rider. After his exploits in 2004 King is now being talked of as a future world champion.

Despite the transfer of Scott Nicholls to Coventry, King believes 2005 will be a successful season for the Witches, who have just one place to fill in their side.

They are still working on getting Piotr Protasiewicz's average reduced by the removal of bonus points from his 2003 campaign with Peterborough.

If so, then Wolverhampton asset Jesper B Jensen is set to return to the team after a successful loan period at Foxhall Stadium last season.