A YOUNG schoolboy is tearing up the tracks as he races through the moto-cross ranks.

Nine-year-old Jacob Hayes has been steadily gaining experience on the northern circuit after proving a natural on a bike from a young age.

The Haverigg Primary School pupil has been riding since he was a toddler and competing in 50cc events on a KTM machine since the age of six.

Dad Eddie, who runs the Top Cars Garage in Haverigg with wife Rebecca – Jacob’s mum – cannot recall a time when his son was not a fan of motorbikes, and said: “He has been interested in two wheels as far back as I can remember.

“My friend Ashley Poxon brought a trainer bike back from Spain for his lad, but his lad couldn’t do it. He came to my house and threw it at me and, at the age of 15 or 16 months, Jacob just went straight with his legs in the air. He had fantastic balance and everything. From there onwards, it was two wheels and he never looked back.

“He had his first KTM when he was two. His feet were nearly a foot off the pegs, but he could still ride it.

“The nightmare was that we’ve had him on motorbikes since he was two and he just couldn’t get it into his head that he had to be six before he could race. We used to go watching and all he would say was ‘why can’t I race?’ As soon as he was six, he started racing.”

Jacob has competed in the 50cc auto classes for three years, usually making the top 10 in his events, and has now moved up to 65cc bikes with gears.

The Haverigg youngster represented Cumbria in an inter-centre team tournament and a charity event.

Last season he finished third in his class at the Cumbria Moto-cross Club Championship, fourth in the East Cumbria club, and fifth with the West Cumbria club.

He also took part in the Auto GP at Hilton Park, Birmingham, and was asked to race in several team events in Doncaster.

This year, at the higher level, there will be the Kids Masters, Auto GP, and a host of other events among his regular commitments in Cumbria.

Eddie added: “In May, we’re not at home for a single weekend.

“Last summer, I bought him an old geared bike so he could get used to it, because he had never been on one. As soon as we got home, he was on it and within two or three minutes, he had mastered the gears perfectly. He hasn’t looked back – he can’t think about riding a bike without gears now.”

With pre-season testing and training completed, Jacob – whose granddad Oliver Hayes was a trail bike rider and mechanic – started his season recently at Brampton, finishing in the top half of the field against more experienced riders.

He is now looking to improve on that, and intends to contest all the major Cumbrian meetings, along with many others, with mum and dad keeping the machine in top condition.