MOTORCYCLING: Hello Moto (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

MOTORCYCLING: Hello Moto

9:00am Saturday 2nd June 2012 in Sport By Dan Barnes

Hullavington teenager Fraser Rogers will realise his dream of competing against legendary riders such as Valentino Rossi next month after earning a wildcard entry for round six of the Moto GP World Championship.

The 16-year-old speedster currently rides in the Spanish Moto3 championship for the Racing Steps Foundation (RSF) team but has been handed a place in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on June 17.

Rogers’ Racing Steps teammate John McPhee has also been gifted a wildcard and the youngster, who has been competing regularly in Spain for three years, says that he isn’t just planning on making up the numbers when his Moto GP chance comes around.

“We wanted to try and apply for the wildcard last year but they changed the minimum age from 15 to 16 and we still never really thought we’d both get in this time – it’s just amazing,” said Rogers, a national junior Minimoto champion at the age of nine.

“I’ve always wanted to get there and all of the riders are legends.

“I want to try and see if I can finish in the top 15 and get in the points.

“I’ve always wanted to try and make the step up next season.

“Hopefully that can be with the same team that I’m riding for now.”

Malmesbury School student Rogers, who rides a Honda-powered KRP M3-01 bike, notched up his career best result in the Spanish Moto3 series in Navarra last month when he finished sixth.

Stepdad Ian Harris, who manages Hullavington’s Minimoto Racing centre, added: “Getting in the Moto GP is the last step of making it really, so it’s brilliant for Fraser.”

RSF motorcycle racing co-ordinator Peter Ball added: “To pick up both wildcards for the British Grand Prix is great news for the Racing Steps Foundation, the team and British motorcycle racing.’’