PICKERING'S moto-cross racer Ben Thompson is preparing for an assault on the East Yorkshire Championship in the new year.

With foot-and-mouth wiping out last season's championship in the area, 17-year-old Thompson was forced to compete on the County Durham stage - where he won a number of trophies in the adult B class.

In fact, the talented junior could have won the North East Moto-Cross Championship in the class, but he did not enter the competition in time - missing the early rounds.

But the Pickering and District Motor Club member is now targeting success closer to home.

"The aim is for me to get as far as I can in the East Yorkshire Championship, while winning as many local club titles as I can," he told the Evening Press. "The East Yorkshire Championship is against expert riders, so that will be a real test for me as I'm a stage below in the adult B class."

Thompson's dad Adrian was also a moto-cross rider, but he now helps his son prepare for the races.

"My dad used to race and I picked it up from there," said Thompson jnr. "We've teamed up now, with my dad doing the bike maintenance, while I keep myself fit, go to the gym and ride mountain bikes.

"We do all the bike set-up together, like the suspension."

The season does not start until towards the end of March for Thompson, but he is already to go.

"I won 12 or 13 trophies last season, so hopefully I can repeat this," he added.

Updated: 10:53 Saturday, December 29, 2001