A HIGH school whizz kid has made the step up to senior motorbike racing in style.

Fifteen-year-old Ben Ashcroft, of Newton Road, Lowton, lies seventh in the Aprilia RRV GP adult’s 450 class championship, which started last month.

The Golborne High School pupil is one of the youngest racers on the grid and is delighted to be faring so well at senior level.

Ben only took up the sport last year, when he managed to win the ACU North West Junior Championship and finished eighth in the ACU British 125GP National Championship.

Last year he also competed in the Aprila Superteen series, finishing 10th, and came third in the CU North Western 125GP Championship and the Aintree 125GP Championship.

His 52-year-old dad and fellow racer Andrew, who won the 2013 and 2014 ACU Aintree 125 Championship, said: “He is mixing it with the big boys now and doing really well.

“He wanted to follow in my footsteps.

“Ben has always been interested in motorbike racing as I have been involved in the sport since joining Leigh Motocross at the age of 11.

“He was always asking me to go on the bike and I eventually gave in and let him have a go, and he has proven to be a talent.

“It was not easy for him at first but he got up after a few crashes and has gone on to develop very quickly.

“I do worry at times about his safety but when he does well I feel really proud, especially when everyone is clapping and cheering him.”