ROOKIE racer Paul Ellerker is speeding to the top. After a highly-successful debut season the rising motorcycle racing ace plans to move into national events next season.

The 29-year-old, from Long Street, Easingwold, has converted a Honda RVF 400 machine from a road bike to a racing bike with great results.

He collected seven trophies last season in novice events and has made a smooth transition to clubmen races this season.

He started with a creditable sixth out of 42 riders in his opening New Era Clubman race at Donington Park and is aiming to build on that fine debut at Cadwell Park this weekend.

"The plan is to do well this season and get my national licence," said Ellerker, a qualified mechanic, who is backed by Howardian Signs, Alne, and has landed a second successive year's backing from York Van Centre.

He first started riding machines at seven, but last year was the first time he took up competitive racing, making his debut at Croft, near Darlington, only 13 months ago.

And he is desperate for more sponsorship with would-be backers able to contact Ellerker on 013478 22285 or 0777922 5473.

A name from the past is also marking his mark on the bike racing scene.

The Westmoreland family from York think they may have a champion rider on their hands.

John Westmoreland, of Stockton Lane, was a useful club rider in the 1950s and his son, David, was a leading Auto 66 350cc Yamaha rider in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Now David's 13-year-old son, James looks like the pick of the bunch.

He has already collected second and third places in the MRO National Series at Brands Hatch and Oulton Park in fields of 40-plus riders aged up to 19.

His next outing will be an Auto 66 Clubman meeting at Elvington, near York, a week tomorrow.

It's not just on his father's side that Hull-based James has developed his motorcycling skills.

His mum is a Westmorland - as opposed to a Westmoreland - and her brother Mark was an international rider, while her father, Richard, is chief scrutineer of the Auto 66 club.

Updated: 11:24 Saturday, April 13, 2002