Southampton's youngest motor cycle road-race prospect is looking to start the new season the way he finished the last.

Swanwick-based teenager Kenny Tibble gunned his Rheos Honda to a brilliant victory in the closing round of last year's British 125cc Championship.

Now, aboard the same bike but in new 2000 kit form, Tibble has his eyes on a place on the podium in Sunday's first round at Brands Hatch.

The 19-year-old Yorkshireman has good grounds for optimism. The bike was flying in testing in Spain where it was out-pacing some of the championship's leading campaigners like Robin Appleyard.

A switch back to Dunlop tyres for the closing round of the 1999 season transformed Tibble's fortunes which had nosedived after a bright start which included a top-six finish at Thruxton.

Tibble's plans for the season could take in a new ride in the 250cc championship. He's currently negotiating the possibility of a step-up from the ultra lightweight class.

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