Future looks bright for biker Josh Hiatt

The 14-year-old suffered numerous mechanical failures competing in the FAB-Racing Metrakit 70 class.

Early promise was blighted by bike problems as the team, including dad Nigel, struggled to work out why the engine and gears kept failing.

But once the Metrakit GP70 was up and purring, the Heath Hayes teenager showed why he is one for the future by climbing back on the podium despite a severe lack of track time.

The eight-round series, mainly contested on go-karting tracks, ended with a second trip to Red Lodge before the final races at Mallory Park – a full race circuit used by the top British Superbike riders.

It was on the big tracks that Josh, who attends Kingsmead School, really felt at home and gave his team serious food for thought over the 2017 campaign.

Nigel said: "We were back at Red Lodge for round seven and straight away he was on it, qualifying on pole.

"He came second in the first race and was just chuffed to bits to be back on the podium. Everything looked like it was going down the pan until Red Lodge when finally it came together."

But Josh's favourite race was certainly the last as he tackled Mallory, one of the country's most renowned circuits.

"It was a proper track some of the BSB riders use, rather than a go-kart track like a lot of the others," added Nigel.

"He qualified fifth and came fourth. He had got into third place but he was pipped at the line. His bike just wasn't as quick as the others pulling out of the corners.

"He loved making the step up to the next level, competing on the bigger track."

Red Lodge was a good circuit all year for Josh, who secured a third place during round two earlier in the year before mechanical problems began to surface.

Everything went pear-shaped during round three at Rowrah, in the Lake District, when problems on the 70cc bike ended in a DNF and a non-starter for race two.

He was also running third in the second race at Llandudno in the wet when he came off, causing engine problems and first gear issues.

Nigel said: "We had high hopes for round five at Whitton Mill, Northampton, because it's where Josh practises most Tuesday nights.

"Unfortunately, we suffered gearbox and engine problems and spent the entire weekend stripping the bike. We ended up doing no racing at all.

"Lydd in Kent was round six but yet again we had the same engine problems.

"This time we managed to sort it out, but Josh was off the pace a bit because he had been off the bike for so long.

"Things went worse when he came off the bike again and smashed it up a bit, as well as hurting his leg, but he was okay. He tried to do the second race but was in too much pain."

However, the final two race meetings have potentially opened new doors for the rising star.

"We are still a bit undecided about next year," said Nigel. "We're thinking about returning to the Metrakit series because we have unfinished business there.

"Other options include joining the Aprilla Championships or the BSB series, which would be the KTM Cup 390, but we'd probably have to find £15,000.

"With those sorts of prices it's virtually impossible unless you get major sponsorship.

"We'd like to thank Phil Turnell from Lower Road Service Centre, Heath Hayes, for providing us with tyres all season, which has saved us an absolute fortune.

"They cost us £130 a time and sometimes we can go through two sets a meeting.

"During the winter we're hoping to join the mini-bike series and fit in a couple of track days. We want to try and keep Josh on the bike for as long as possible."