NEW MILTON teenager Pete Spalding, who took second place in the Metabo British Supersport Cup race at Thruxton on Sunday, is only just into his second season of motor cycle road racing.

Spalding is riding a 600 Kawasaki for the Southampton-based ART racing team after taking fifth place in last year's MRO 400cc Championship.

Five wins and several more podium finishes was no bad effort for a youngster in his first season and, at Thruxton, Spalding showed speed and determination to take second spot from Southport's Craig Sproston, who was only just ahead of him when the race was red-flagged with four laps still to run.

Winchester's James Hillier admits he's on a learning curve in the Supersport Cup after finishing a fine fourth in last year's Virgin Mobile Cup. He took seventh place on a Kawasaki provided by sponsors Gearlink, a small, friendly family-run company from Salisbury.

Two third places in this season's National Superstock Cup earmarks James Hurrell as a serious candidate for honours in 2005.

The Winchester youngster is no stranger to the class after a solid campaign last year.

John Crockford's one-off ride on Bernie Leigh's Honda ended when a spark plug broke loose when the Southampton ace was going well in 12th place in the British Supersport Championship race.

But it's possible 'Crockett' will be back for more action as a replacement for the injured Rob Frost aboard the Angel Racing team's Honda CBR 600 at Mallory Park on Sunday week.

Watching John at Thruxton was wife Rachel and new baby, Brody, born on April 1.