A RENFREW schoolboy is preparing to embark on his first full season in Scottish motorcycle racing writes David Brockett.
12-year-old Jack Hart has been competing in motorcycle racing since the age of seven, racing mini motos in Scottish and UK Championships, regularly winning races and has finished second in two separate UK Championships.
After turning 12 last July, Jack applied for and received his first road race licence, stepping up to race a 125cc Aprilia in the Formula 125 Championship.
The Trinity High pupil was even shown the ropes by championship leader Rishon Hickey, who let Jack follow him to help him learn his lines.
Jack said: “It went really well, matching my fastest lap from the last time I was here. The qualifying went great and I got faster every lap and I knew I had done some good times.”
Jack qualified in fourth position which then allowed him to compete for a podium place.
Despite having to swap bikes with Hickey, the tournament winner, at the last minute due to a water leak, the youngster managed to steer himself into pole position and crossed the finishing line with a six second lead.
He added: “I felt a bit bad beating Rishon as he didn’t need to swap the bikes, but I was also delighted to get another win and on a bike I had never ridden before.”
Within a few short weeks Jack achieved his first podium place, achieving four third places at Knockhill. Just six weeks after getting his licence, he secured his first ever race win and by the end of the season, had achieved five first places.
Despite a strong debut, the youngster was only old enough to start competing at the midpoint of the season and didn’t finish in the Championship points overall.
But the youngster is set to cap off a memorable start to his racing career, picking up the Niall MacKenzie Trophy for the best Novice Rider by the Melville Motor Club at their annual awards next month in Edinburgh.
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