It's talent, not chequebook, that counts

Mini moto racing was aimed at young riders, but now there are competitors of all ages. Nick Mann reports on the climax of the club's first championship. Pictures by Adrian Miller PROVIDING the thrills and spills of motor sport at a fraction of the cost, mini moto racing has established itself firmly.

In the space of nearly two years, it has gone from a few people racing in Les Beaucamps School car park to more than 60 members competing regularly.

And it is a sport for kids and bigger kids, with racers ranging from as young as six, to people in their 50s.

Guernsey Mini Moto Club president Jon Lloyd, 46, got involved when he bought his grandson, Max Simpson-Cohen, 8, a bike.

Around the same time Chris Poole also bought one for his son Alex, 7.

'We thought there was a club. Six months later we found out there wasn't, so we started one ourselves,' said Mr Lloyd.

'When we began racing about 18 months ago it was at Beaucamps. Now we've got over 60 members and it's growing every week.'

He has ridden motorbikes since 17 and is an advanced instructor.

The sport was a great training ground for youngsters before they went out on the roads on full-blown machines, he added.A lot of mini motos are being ridden in car parks in private estates and driving people crazy. Also people are not wearing safety gear,' he said.

'We're using bikes in a safe and legal environment and there's also the racing aspect.'

Even the youngest members get competitive, he said, with eight- and nine-year-olds trying to psych each other out before the race.

And one of the most appealing aspects is the cost. You can get onto the track and be racing for about £250.

'Some here used to do the hill climb, but got fed up with chequebook racing. These are not tuned to the nth degree, but standard, so it's about the skill of the rider, not how much money they've got in the bank.'

Meetings take place year-round at the Track, Les Beaucamps and Alliance car park and the hunt is on for other venues.

Races are generally split into age groups with classes for cubs for the five-to 11-year-olds, juniors for those aged 11 to 16, and seniors and masters for over-16s.

Youngsters can get promoted outside their age group if they are good enough and their parents agree.

'The kids love it. Give an eight-year-old a motorbike and they love it,' said Mr Lloyd.

Mr Poole, a delivery driver, had been motorcycling for 'years and years'.

He did the hill climb in a car for about four years. 'The only reason I gave up was because it worked out whoever had the most money in their cheque book was winning.'

For two years he gave motor sport a break.

'I saw this on TV, Men and Motors. My son, Alex, was interested in it. We said to him, if you learn to ride a bike, you can have a mini moto - it took him a day to learn.'

They bought two bikes initially, one for Alex to ride and another as a test machine to check out any modifications.

'I found I enjoyed it too, started in the standard class, but there's always more power available and upgrades.'

Carpenter and joiner Mark Ferbrache, 39, used to race hill climbs and sprints in a car.

He initially bought his children mini motos, before getting hooked himself.

'It's more for the kids, but unfortunately I'm very competitive as well,' said Mr Ferbrache.

'It teaches them how to ride a bike with the proper clothing and safety equipment and they learn how to fall. It's better than on the roads and probably safer because they're all going in the same direction.'

* For more information and contact details for the club, visit www.gsyminimoto.org