BMCM Young rider of the year 2015

Teenage motorcycle star James Alderson is following in the tracks of some of the biggest names in the two-wheel racing world.

The 14-year-old who is sponsored by NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd was named the BMCM Young Rider of the Year in 2015, a title previously won by former legends Geoff Duke and Phil Read and current Honda rider Cal Crutchlow.

He was awarded the coveted Minnie Grenfell Trophy after finishing third overall in the Kawasaki Ninja 300 Cup.

James has been riding bikes since he was seven, and competing since he was nine, however it was not an easy start to his bike career.

His father, Stephen, said: “When he first started James didn't like the noise and used to get a bit tearful. It was quite painful to watch him, but he had fantastic balance on a bike and he soon improved and started to love racing. “His whole life is motorcycling. It is his passion, so much so that he has been known to turn down a date to stay in at home and watch the MotoGP racing on the TV!”

Stephen, who is married to Michelle, and runs the family garage business R Alderson & Sons in Durham with his brother Arthur, is a motorcycling enthusiast, who currently owns a Norton 99, but says he doesn’t know where James’ racing skills comes from.

He said: “I love classic bikes, but never raced and none of my family come from a racing background so we’re not sure where James gets his ability from.”

NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, which is an original equipment (OE) supplier of spark plugs, glow plugs, NTK Lambda and other engine management sensors to most of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers (VMs) and two and four-wheel racing stars and teams, supports James with its spark plugs and merchandise.

Stephen says the company’s local Sales Representative Paul Wheatley has been incredibly supportive. He said: “Paul has been brilliant with James and has given him product and merchandise and provided tickets for James to attend race meetings where he has met many of the top riders. “As a garage we use NGK spark plugs, glow plugs, NTK Lambda sensors and ignition coils, and we cannot fault them in any way. The products and company have been great.”

This season James plans to compete in the BSB Motostar competition on a Honda 125 as he strives to emulate his hero, renowned superstar John McGuinness, The Morecambe Missile.