MOTORBIKE racing has become a family sport for the Ainsworth family of Kendal.

Paul has spent this season riding a Clubman Road Racing, his partner Sheryl is his mechanic and daughters Megane, aged five, and Lauren, three, go along to cheer dad on.

"We both had road bikes until a year ago, but we were getting too many points on our licences, so we decided that Paul should go racing," said Sheryl.

"I decided to become his mechanic and I have been learning as we go along," she added.

Throughout the season the family have toured the circuits of Aintree, Darley Moor and Croft with the family and bike packed into a van and Paul has finished consistently in the top ten in his novice year.

He won twice at Darley Moor and on several occasions he has picked up the first novice award.

In his first season he has been supported by John Wilding Ltd, Aztec Signs and KMPR Bodywork and preparations have already begun for next year when he hopes to gain his national racing licence.

With a new and faster engine now fitted to his John Wilding Suzuki 600 he hopes to make consistent rostrum finishes.

Sheryl may not be able to devote all her tome to her mechanic's role, however, as the couple are currently expecting an expansion to the fan club. "This time we hope it's a boy," she said.