BRIDGWATER rider TJ Toms had his first experience of the Repli-Cast-powered Honda Moto3 during Friday and Saturday’s practice and qualifying sessions in Kent.

The newly-signed 14-year-old raced in round five of the HEL Motostar Championship for Team Repli-Cast UK Racing - and made steady progress, getting a feel for the bike for the first time.

He recorded the seventeenth fastest time and was very much looking forward to the two races.

TJ said: “Well, to sum up the whole weekend I qualified in twenty-first and unfortunately did not finish race one, but managed to set a better lap time putting me in twentieth for the race two start and I came in fifteenth over all and thirteenth Moto 3 in race two, on lap three of race two I was first in sector three which was the highlight of my weekend.

“I had a fantastic time with the team and riding the bike - we didn't have the best start to the weekend but I feel that team Repli-Cast is the best place for me to be and I feel that I was really looked after professionally.

“I'd like to say a huge thank you to team Repli-Cast and all my sponsors and supporters and a big thank you to Kaci-May Edwards for being my brolly dolly.”

Team manager, Gary Dawson said: “It’s fantastic when you earn a front row position and a great boost for the all team to know we can run with the KTM’s - TJ also showed the promise we are looking for from him but pushing a little too hard on his first race saw him ending up in the gravel.”