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At 13, Toriano Wilson is a trailblazer. The young rider is setting a path that other racers are hoping to follow.

Several youngsters have stepped up to the 125cc class this season with an eye of following Wilson into the Red Bull Rookies Cup in a year or two's time.

Cyril Whitter, spokesperson for the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club said: "I believe that Toriano has brought a bigger viewing audience to the club with his excellent participation in the Red Bull Rookies Cup.

"He's getting a lot of media attention and opening up a lot of the eyes in the community to motorcycle racing. It will help with the promotion of the sport on the island."

Whitter said Wilson could also help people who have a need for speed to take that passion off the roads and use it in a healthy way down at Southside Raceway.

But while Wilson may be the highest profile local getting experience overseas, the club has had three other riders honing their skills in the States: Paul DeCouto, Jevaughn 'Squirrel' Simons and Antoine Richards.

"We have had guys going away to participate in events, but not to this level," Whitter said. "Usually there may be one or two events a group of riders may go up and participate in. Now a lot of members are taking the opportunity to expand their horizons as much as possible."

Whitter added that many of the riders now feel that they can go overseas and compete at a reasonable level. He said that with Richards, Wilson and Simons, they are trying to make motorcycle racing a career.

"Antoine has moved abroad and is racing in the CCS series as an expert rider. Squirrel stays on the island and travels back and forth to all 10 of his races."

He added that the opportunities are opening up to Bermudians to try to make this their career.

Whitter said those riders will help make the local competitions better by 'taking it up a notch.

"Paul was racing back and forth last year and he took the 600cc championships."

The 600cc class will be more competitive this year with about four more riders, taking the total number of bikes on the track up to 11. "Shannon Caisey is stepping up from the 125 Class to the 600 Class to challenge Paul DeCouto."

Whitter said there were several kids who will be moving up from the 70 and 80cc classes to compete in the 125cc class as they aim to follow in the path that Wilson has blazed.

"They are looking to get that experience so they can go abroad in one or two years to compete in international races in the U.S. as well as apply to compete in the Red Bull Rookies Cup."

Josonne Smith, Whitter and Devon Bailey are the preseason favourites to take the 125cc championship.[[In-content Ad]]

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