How many of us know that we have a British Champion living in our midst?

Have you heard of Kyle Ryde?  Kyle is a local lad who is doing amazing things on the British Superbike (BSB) scene but he doesn’t seem to be as well known around the area as he deserves to be.

At just 14 years old, Kyle is the youngest ever winner of a BSB Championship, and the youngest to hold a lap record for the fastest lap on a 125cc motorbike at Donington. 

He regularly combines schoolwork (Kyle attends Selston Arts Community College) with travelling around the country to compete in races, as well as flying back and forth to Europe to ride in the select Redbull Rookies circuit where he competes against the best young talent from across the continent.

Kyle first started racing at just 6 years old, when his parents gave him a mini 50cc field bike to play on.  When they couldn’t get him off it, they hit on the idea of trying him in races, a star was born and he from then on he has gone from strength to strength, culminating in his amazing achievement this year.

Even more amazing is the fact that Kyle has done all this without the backing of a major sponsor, and has relied on donations and sponsorship secured by the tireless efforts of his family and friends. Can you believe that Kyle doesn’t even own his own bike?  He races one owned by his mechanic and family friend, Ryan.

Kyle’s Mum is now a time-served fundraiser, and regularly organises events and socials aimed at bringing in enough money to keep Kyle racing.  The next big event will be on 9th December at the Jacksdale Miners Welfare, where there will be a raffle for some great prizes, including an i-pad2, i-phone and i-pod touch.  We’ll post more details on this on our events pages when we get them. Please go along, have a fun evening and help support this great local talent.

If you can’t make it on the evening, Kyle is always happy to accept donations or sponsorship.  It doesn’t have to be a huge amount, and every little bit helps.  The family run a fantastic concept called team #77 – where people can contribute just £77 (Kyle’s racing number) to help out and receive loads of benefits in return.  For more information please visit Kyle’s website at www.kyleryderacing.co.uk.

Alternatively, if you take out or renew an insurance policy through Gil and the team at BInsured Ltd, in Somercotes, they will make a donation to Kyle’s team. That’s a real win-win winner, as Gil and Wendy are probably one of the most competitive insurance companies around, and regularly save their clients significant amounts of money on all their insurance needs.  Give them a call on 01773 529977 or Email info@binsuredlimited.com to find out more.

If you want to hear what Kyle has to say about his fantastic achievements this year, listen to our local radio station, Amber Sound FM, this evening at 7pm, where Kyle will be interviewed by James Summers.  Listen on air at 107.2 FM, or online at www.ambersoundfm.com