TEENAGER Elliot Pinson is looking forward to making his mark this season as the racer steps up to Motostar Moto3 for the first time.

The 13-year-old, from Lydiard Millicent, finished ninth at Donnington Park in his first race for his new team Cresswell Racing.

While the schoolboy is looking forward to making the step up he is more than aware he will face stiffer competition this campaign.

The 13-year-old said: “I’m very excited, it should be an interesting season with a new bike, a new team and new opposition “The main differences between this season and last season will be having a team, being on a different bike and, from what I’ve been told it's stiffer competition.

“I haven’t set myself many goals for the season, I just want to do the best I can.

“It’s definitely something I want to do when I am older, it is the thing I love doing the most out of everything."

“Some of my friends at school are them are interested in it and think it’s quite cool but some also think it’s crazy.”

The youngster is struggling for funding and needs an estimated £25,000 to see out the season.

Something his dad Keith has been trying to appease by setting up a crowdfunding page to raise money for the cause.

“Because he has done so well and jumped from bike to bike and was still winning, we have to give him a shot,” he said “We want to try and give him a chance at the national series to see if he can get noticed and try to get some proper support.

“Charlie Nesbitt is someone who has come through the same route. He got some backing and he is doing the Moto3 Junior Cup next year.

“He won the Moto3 championship last year so we would very much like to try and follow in his footsteps.”

For those who would like to sponsor Elliot you can contact him via email pinson_k@yahoo.co.uk or donate to his crowdfunding page: https://wasp.podiumpartners.org/campaign/127-elliot-pinson-2017-bsb-moto3-standard-class-