Stars of the future at Mildenhall this weekend

MILDENHALL fans will get to see some of the stars of the future, when the club stages the second round of this year’s British Youth Championships at West Row on Sunday, 3pm.

A bumper 36 race programme will be staged in three classes 500cc, 250cc and 125cc.

Co-promoter Michael Lee said, “We were delighted and proud when we got allocated this meeting, as youth development is at the heart of everything we do at Mildenhall. It promises to be a great day of racing and a lot of the boys taking part have the potential to get to the very top. As well as our own supporters, I would urge fans from other clubs to come and have a look. It’s only a fiver for adults to get in and kids under 15 can come in for free. We’ve even produced a special souvenir programme in full colour. There are loads of other attractions as we are determined to turn this into a day to remember for all the family.

Lee continued, “We must also give a massive thank-you to meeting sponsors Ridgeons of Newmarket and Troy Dudley Plumbing, plus the companies and individuals who’ve enabled us to get every single heat sponsored. A truly great effort.”

Among the riders heading the 500cc class will be the Fen Tigers’ teenage reserve pairing of Josh Bates, who leads the series after Round 1, and current British Champion Nathan Stoneman, who is lying second.

“It’ll be interesting to watch Josh and Nathan racing against each other on their home track. A lot of people raised an eyebrow when we signed Josh in the winter, but I’d been aware of his potential for some time, and his paid 11 against Scunthorpe last week underlined what a talent he is.”

Meanwhile Nathan Stoneman can’t wait for Sunday. “I would love to win on my home track, but there are plenty of other good lads taking part.

My team partner Josh obviously knows his way around here, and Max Clegg and Danny Phillips are racing in the National League now, so I reckon it’ll be a tough afternoon but in front of my own supporters, it’s one I’m looking forward to.”

In the 250cc class, another West Row favourite, Fen Tigers’ mascot 10-year-old Lewis Whitmore, can’t wait to perform at Mildenhall after finishing an impressive third in the opening round at Leicester.

Dad Jason said, “Lewis loves racing and has been given special dispensation to ride in the 250cc class this year, where the minimum age is usually 12. We are aiming for a top six finish this year, which would be fantastic as the youngest rider at that level. He has been looking forward to the day so much, as he looks on West Row as his home track and wants to do well in front of the Mildenhall fans.”

In the 125cc class 12 year old Macauley Leek is aiming to make a good impression. The ‘Pocket Rocket’ is a regular visitor to West Row and local rivals Rye House, where he is team mascot. “I love riding and hope I can do well on Sunday. I go all over the country racing and all I want to do is be a speedway rider.

Gates for Sunday’s meeting open at 1pm, with racing starting at the earlier than usual time of 3pm. The club have laid on a host of other attractions to make it into a family day out. Between 1.30 and 2.30 there’ll be the chance to meet Fen Tigers’ stars Cameron Heeps and Lewis Blackbird, look at their bikes and have a photograph taken with them. There’ll also be face painting and a Bouncy Castle.