A TALENTED biker from Bere Alston has landed a prestigious contract with Japanese motor giant Kawasaki, who reckon he has the talent to go all the way to the top in the exciting sport of motocross.
Peter Redford, a 14-year-old student at Tavistock College, has signed a three-year contract with Kawasaki, enabling him to compete in the British 125cc Schoolboy Championships.
He is one of just two riders selected by Kawasaki to compete in the Under 21 UK championships and so far, is the only rider to be selected to ride in European championship rounds.
And this is just the start ? he has been shortlisted to compete in the world championships, riding in France, Russian and Sweden as soon as he reaches the age of 15.
Steven Gutteridge, European Motocross co-ordinator for Kawasaki, is expecting great things from Peter: ?We don?t sign people on with the terms he has got in his contract unless they really are exceptional.
?There have only been four people signed on with these terms in the last 40 years ? we reckon at 16, we will be fighting to keep him ? we suspect he could be world champion by the time he is 17.?
Steven said Kawasaki was putting huge financial backing into Peter?s talent. ?I think we?ve certainly invested seven noughts in the next two years ? but he sells an awful lot of bikes for us!? he said.
Steven said Peter?s potential was spotted by the current motocross world champion about 18 months ago.
Having started on 80cc bikes, he has now progressed to 125cc and is one of the best riders in his class in the country ? despite suffering the setback of two broken ankles in his first year of competing.
Peter said: ?I?ve always ridden Kawasaki bikes but I never thought I would get sponsorship from them. It?s a dream come true.
?Both Steven Gutteridge and my dad believe I can be world champion by the age of 17, and I?ve seen it done before, so I believe I could do it.?