Reydon speedway hot prospect Charlie Brooks is looking forward to his first year with a professional club and is hoping for another successful year.

The 16 year old started out in the sport around seven years ago when Diss-based uncle and coach, Adam Shipp, bought his first bike after he spent his youth bombing about on a Yamaha PW50.

Success soon followed as he was crowned Youth British Champion in 2016, before going to the Czech Republic for the 250cc world long track championship last year, where he finished third.

2018, however, will see the Sir John Leman High School student race for the Eastbourne Eagles for the first time in the Speedway National League and try to better his performance in the Czech Republic.

Charlie said: 'I like it mainly because of the adrenaline rush when you are on the bike

'It is so much faster than Motorcross because you don't have a brake.'

'It would be nice to become grass track British Champion and it would be great to win the league or a knock-out cup with Eastbourne.

'I also think I have a shot at the 250cc long track again this year.'

When asked about what his future ambitions in the sport, Charlie said: 'It would be nice to make a career out of it.

'It is not going to be easy but I suppose I can try.

'The fact that especially being the age I am you have to balance the racing with a back up in case something goes wrong so going to college or learning a trade is difficult to do alongside it.

He added: 'I would like to be an electrician if I fall out of the sport as it is something relatively easy to pick up and quicker to learn than some other things.'

Speedway is not cheap, with a normal season costing a minimum of £11,000 in bike maintenance, safety gear, and travel costs, and Charlie is actively looking for sponsors from local businesses.

He said: 'It would be a massive help and it would be hugely appreciated.

'We have all our bike sponsors written on our bike covers and kevlars and there would advertising and they would be exposed to around 70/80,000 people a year.'

Charlie will soon head to France for a training camp with the Eastbourne Eagles, designed to help build up rapport with his team mates ahead of the upcoming season.