Last year the Auto Cycle Union, the governing body for motorcycle sport in the UK, changed its regulations to allow riders as young as four to take part in events. Previously, the starting point had been six.
‘This is his first event since the ACU reduced the licence age to four,’ said mum Nikita Burnett.
‘He only turned four on 2 December, so that makes him the youngest rider to take to the Pleinmont cliffs. He has been so excited and we are super proud of him, he has done really well.’
Thomas, who was on a new bike and wearing protective gear that he got from Father Christmas, said he really enjoyed the experience of the full track.
‘I liked going down the hills,’ he said.
Now the regulations have changed, Thomas is the first of a new group of riders coming through, but the world of motocross is not entirely new for the four-year-old, who has grown up around his family who are steeped in the sport.
‘His great-uncle was a local motocross rider, along with his uncle,’ said Mrs Burnett.
‘His great-uncle currently holds the record for the youngest ever participant of the Guernsey Hill Climb aged 14, so he’s following in the family’s footsteps.
‘Thomas got his first sit-on bike at 10 months old, he progressed to a balance bike at 18 months and was riding a bicycle without stabilisers by the age of two.
‘He is a fearless, bike-mad child, when he gets a new toy bike he takes it to bed with him, he loves it.’
Mrs Burnett said she would encourage more children to get involved with the sport.
‘This is a new group so there are kids who race from six. There are about eight in each class, but we really want to encourage other young riders to take part as Thomas hasn’t really got anyone to race against at the moment,’ she said.
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