LUKE Fitchett, an 11-year-old from Wroughton, became a Motorcycling British Champion last weekend.

Fitchett won the FAB Racing Championship aboard his 50cc two stroke Mini Grand Prix bike after racking up a total of 16 wins and five lap records over the course of eight rounds.

The 11-year-old, who was far from the pre-season favourite to lift the title, travelled to Go Kart circuits all over England and Wales and eventually claimed his crown at Red Lodge Kart Circuit in Suffolk after winning all three of his events.

Fitchett – who currently races with number seven on his bike in honour of hero Barry Sheene – is following in the footsteps of the 2022 British Superbike champion Bradley Ray who was FAB racing Mini GP 50 champion in 2007.

Sheene was Britain’s last MotoGP – formerly 500cc GP – world champion in 1977.

Swindon Advertiser: Duncan FitchettDuncan Fitchett (Image: Duncan Fitchett)

Fitchett caught the bug for motorbikes from his dad, Duncan, growing up in the racing paddock watching him race his classic Norton.

From there, the Wroughton junior started riding mini pocket bikes at Swindon Karting from the age of six and soon found coverage of the FAB minibike races on YouTube.

Following this year’s championship win on the 50cc bike, Luke’s parents say the 11-year-old plans to move up to the faster 70cc bikes in 2023.

Fitchett experienced his first two victories in the 70cc class at the final round, winning a total of five out of the six races he competed in at Red Lodge.

While the youngster’s ultimate dream is to race in MotoGP when he is old enough, Fitchett hopes to progress through to the British Talent Cup in 2025 when he is 14.

The British Talent Cup is run within the British Superbikes events for young riders between 14 and 17 competing on Honda Moto 3 Grand Prix 250cc bikes.