BIKE fanatic Steve McDonald is on the fast track to success after hitting the top of the New Era Club Championships.

The 31-year-old is leading the 350cc production class after eight races of the season.

Steve's success comes in his first full year of racing and puts him on target to move up to the prestigious Super Bike class next year.

Hitting speeds of up to 135mph on 12 mile courses, he travels around the country in the keenly contested competition.

Racing stars Carl Fogerty and Neil McKenzie both started in the 350cc class and even Damon Hill tried his hand at it before switching to the four wheel variety of racing.

Steve, who grew up in Warrington and still works here as a sales engineer though he is living in Bury, said: "I've been around bike racing all my life but I didn't have the finance to get involved seriously until last year. I had a lot of problems with the bike last year but they seem to have been ironed out and it's been going well.

"Going top of the division was a great feeling and it's going to be a real battle to hang on to it. There are seven races left of the season and it should be a nailbiter all the way."

Steve crashed at over 100 mph while racing at Snetterton, Norfolk, earlier in the season but still managed to complete two races later in the day and even won the final one.

He said: "I lost it coming into a bend and the bike came out from under me. I ripped right through my leathers but I got lucky and could carry on. It's dangerous at times but the adrenaline keeps you going."

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