Shropshire motorbike racer Ross, 12, revving up for career in fast lane
He's been racing motorbikes since he was six years old and now Shropshire's Ross Turner has his sights set on the big time.
Over the past year, Ross, 12, has been all over Europe racing – he even broke his arm during a crash. But he has finished the year back at his best and has his eyes set on the British Superbike Championship in 2017, when he will be racing in the moto three class.
Ross's mother Suree Coates is the chef at the King and Thai in Broseley and his passion for motorbike racing comes from his father Simon, who worked in motorsport engineering and now helps organise Ross's busy schedule.
Simon said: "His dedication to become a professional racer sees him training every weekend on a motorcycle, be it trials, motocross, pitbikes racing or supermoto. He also trains every day at home on his static bicycle or doing core training.
"He's learning three languages, Spanish, French and German, as he thinks it is important as a modern sports person to be able to communicate with people while abroad.
"In his spare time, when he does manage to find a bit, he plays guitar or practises tracks on his PlayStation.
"He also like working on his own bikes and can often be found servicing them.
"For us, results are not the be all and end all, it is about learning the technique and the craft of racing. It is more a case of using your head, being sensible, working out what you've go to do and making that progression and moving forward.
Two years ago saw Ross representing Great Britain in the Moto4 Class series of the Spanish RFME. This year he has been all over Europe with the Morowaki European Cup, racing in Germany, Portugal, Holland and Spain.
In his category, many of the other racers are between 15 to 17 years old, making him one of the youngest on the grid.
Ross is a pupil at Wrekin College, in Wellington, and recently took in some of his bikes and answered questions about engineering challenges and racing generally.
Ross said: "The reason I enjoy it is the thrill and excitement. There is something different every race. I also find it helps improve my focus with things like school.
"I like the mechanical side, the reason is because I learn about how the bike works and how different parts affect different parts, it also helps me to explain to the mechanics when I'm having a problem.
"My dream is to get to Moto GP, and if not that maybe the World Superbikes but Moto GP is my main target."In the meantime I just want to keep training and have fun while doing it."
