TOP young motocross prospect Tommy Wright is entering the most critical phase of his short career.

The multi national schoolboy champion from Bitterne has had the worst season by his own towering standards.

He broke a wrist in a racing accident earlier in the year then the foot and mouth crisis affected so many motocross venues that he almost had to write the 2001 season off.

He's just got motoring again aboard a newly-acquired Honda on which he took second place in a schoolboy supercross meeting at Birmingham.

Wright, who missed the first round in Ireland, will be competing again in Exeter next week but his mother Julie pointed out: "Although he wants to race motor bikes for a living, he's 15 next birthday which means he'll soon be taking his GCSEs, so it's difficult to know where he goes from here in motocross.

"He's still very enthusiastic and has a busy season ahead. But after that we'll have to do some serious thinking."

Wright's primary aim in 2002 will be to win the ACU 85cc Championship, but as he grows and looks to develop more strength and stamina, there are plans for him to start racing in 125cc events which means a step up into the BSMA National series.

Although Wright has switched from Yamaha to Honda machines, one man still keeping a keen eye on his progress is Yamaha UK team manager Steve Dixon.

Steve hails from Winchester and runs the Yamaha UK operation from the team's base in Swanmore.

He's seen Wright develop into one of the country's top young prospects and, although the Bitterne boy no longer rides Yamaha machines, I understand there are no hard feelings.

Yamaha took the British 125cc title this year through Dane Brian Jorgensen and they have high hopes next season of Scottish teenager Billy Mackenzie, who is now based in Hampshire.