MOTORBIKE racer Ethan Bayliss is getting a taste for life on the track at the tender age of seven.
The North Common youngster has just finished his first season in the FAB-Racing British championship, where he entered the rookie class for children aged five to 12.
Ethan comes from a family of bikers – his nanny and grandad, who ride Harleys, dad Paul and mum Laura.
Paul said: “Some toddlers have rides on cars, Ethan had a toy motorbike.
“Several years ago, I rode a mini moto as a hobby and was keen to give Ethan a go. Although Ethan was not a fan at first, especially after his first crash, he didn’t give up and now we can’t stop him talking about it.”
Paul has since stepped back from riding to be Ethan’s mechanic and accompanies him to races.
“The rounds are all over the UK, from Wales to Kent to Cumbria. We even take him to Spain once a year to a track called Finestrat for one week of training prior to the race season.”
Meanwhile, the rest of the family watch the live broadcasts on YouTube. Paul said: “Ethan loves the thrill of racing against others and watching the video streams back once the race has finished.”
Ethan, who goes to Cherry Garden Primary School in Bitton, rides a Blata Ultima motorcycle with a 40cc restricted engine, which is capable of around 50mph on the straights.
“He loves nothing more than dragging his knees across the floors in the corners,” said Paul.
A highlight of Ethan’s debut season was finishing third overall in a seven-round championship at Stretton circuit.
“Ethan is so unbelievably proud when taking his trophies to show in school. Racing has certainly built his confidence off the track as well as on it.”
And his ambition?
“Ethan would love to follow in the footsteps of famous motorbike champion Troy Bayliss – sadly no relation!”