Kenny Tibble from Swanwick is one good race away from being crowned British 125cc motor cycle road race champion.

The 20-year-old Yorkshireman's day of destiny comes at Donington Park on Sunday where, in the last round of the 2000 series, he must defend a 14-point lead over his closest rival Paul Robinson.

Three wins, achieved in early-season events at Thruxton, Donington and Snetterton, gave Tibble a commanding championship lead aboard his Rheos Helmets Honda 125.

The first half of the season was superb, but the second half has not been so good, with Tibble beset by mechanical problems while being laid low first by a virus then a broken toe sustained in a spill at Cadwell Park.

He still managed to race there but an electrical fault on the bike prevented him from finishing.

At Mallory Park next time out, the bike kept cutting out again in qualifying and his dad, Steve, who doubles up as his mechanic, spent hours working on the engine and was rewarded with his son coming in ninth and collecting seven points.

Last time out at Brands, Tibble was back to something like his best form, managing fifth place and importantly finishing ahead of Robinson and his next nearest rival Alan Green.

Now Tibble, who is growing physically too tall for the little 125 bikes and hopes to move up to the 250cc category next season, must make sure he finishes ahead of Robinson, who has courageously soldiered on this season following the tragic death of his legendary uncle, Joey Dunlop, while racing in Estonia.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.