Seven-year-old rider Charlie Irwin is one to watch out for, says Barr

The seven-year-old Fairview Primary School pupil has just completed a very successful 2014 season, winning the Ulster and Irish automatic championships along with the GR7 club championship.

He was virtually unbeatable in his first full campaign of racing.

He won eight events in the Ulster title race, five in the Irish and all 20 in the seven-round GR7 championship.

At his age he could have stayed in the auto class for another two years, but his dad, and biggest fan, Neil, decided there was nothing to gain by standing still in the MX game.

“You have to keep moving forward and learning all the time in this game so it was an easy decision to make in the end,” he said.

Charlie has taken to the new bike like a duck to water, claiming a second and two thirds at a pre-season meeting at Sandyvalley, Dublin.

“It’s a learning game as it is the first time I have ridden a bike with a clutch and gears but it is good and I am enjoying it,” Charlie said.

Motocross star Martin Barr is also a big fan of young Charlie and reckons he can do well in the future.

“He is a good wee rider with style and they say if you have got the style the rest follows. Since he moved up to the 65cc machine, I have watched him in action and it hasn’t taken him too long to get the hang of the clutch and gears. Making the move to race in England is a big step being so young, but it is important as the younger you get that experience, the better,” said Barr.

“He also has great support from his mum and dad so he’s definitely one to watch out for in the future and hopefully he can go all the way.”

It will be a busy year ahead for this future star of the MX scene as, aside from his local racing and the British Youth Championship, he and might even start the new season at the Arena Cross at the Odyssey in January.