FAILSWORTH youngster Joe Lawlor has become a national motorcycling phenomenon in his first competitive season – at the age of eight.

Joe, of Westminster Road, finished second in the Junior National Grasstrack Championship earlier this year and is leading three other leagues across the country.

It’s a massive achievement for the St Margaret’s primary pupil (pictured), who only began racing in March last year.

After riding a bike in a nearby farmer’s field, his parents Angela and Steve decided to enter him for competitions.

In his first few races, riding a Kiwi TW50 bike, Joe was finishing towards the back of the field, but a change of bike to a KTM motorcross 50cc saw the young speedster start winning his races, culminating in a runners-up medal in the national youth championship.

He is leading in the Lancashire, Yorkshire and Worcester leagues, which finish in October.

Grasstrack racing takes place on a flat track consisting of two straights and two bends usually constructed in a field. It is one of the oldest types of motorcycle sports in the UK dating back to the 1920s.

"Joe loves every minute of it," said mum Angela.

"When he’s on that bike something clicks and he’s like another person.

"Like any mother in those situations sometimes my heart is in my mouth, but I remember that Joe could get injured walking down the street, so this is no different.

"It’s a great hobby for him to do. It’ll keep him off the streets and away from trouble when he’s a bit older, and may lead to a career."

Joe is also supported by his sister Sarah, 22, who is in the Army, but his biggest fan is his dad Steve who used to race motorbikes at Belle Vue as a boy but stopped because of the expense.

"It’s a really expensive hobby," added Angela.

"Not just the travel costs, it’s the bike and equipment, and the entry fees.

"That’s why sponsorship is really important. He is doing so well we don’t want to have to stop."

If you’d like to sponsor Joe, contact Stuart Greer on 0161 636 3663 and he’ll put you in touch with the family.

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