Edenderry whizz kid crowned Irish champ

The family of 14 year old motorbike whizzkid Kevin Keyes from Edenderry have always known he's a champion, but last weekend it was made official. Going into his final race in the Motorcycle Club of Ireland's MDM Production 125 Clubman Championship last weekend in Bishopscourt, Co Down with a 54 point advantage, Kevin knew finishing top of the league was just a formality. However that didn't make his win any less sweet, and now he's savouring the top spot just three years into racing full size modified motorbikes. To add to his delight, Kevin has also broken lap record on Ireland's three circuits in Kirkistown and Bishopscourt in Co Down and Mondello in Co Kildare. Kevin, who lives just outside Edenderry with his mother Ann, father Ron and younger sister Jessica, began racing mini-motos at the age of six. After becoming a star in the junior level championships he moved on aged twelve to the level he currently races at. His racing skills caught the attention of UK team bosses earlier this season, and he had travelled to England over the past months for racing trials there. Though racing bosses there are keen to see him race with them next season, Kevin's father Ron says they have decided to remain in Ireland so Kevin can gain valuable experience on a more powerful bike. "It'd be more beneficial to him," Ron explained, adding that plans are afoot for Kevin to race in three different championships in Ireland next year. "We're going on to a faster bike," Ron said, adding that the change will mean massive competition. "You'd have lads that have been on them for years, but we're still confident that he can run with them." Speaking earlier this year to the Offaly Independent Kevin said the trick to winning races is to have no fear. His family travel with him to his races, but having no fear is something his Ofalia House worker mother Ann still struggles with. It's something she'll have to get used to however, as Kevin plans to make his passion a career in the future and ultimately become world champion. The official presentation marking Kevin's latest win takes place early next year, while the new season won't start until next March. In the meantime Kevin has junior cert study at Oaklands Community College and keeping fit to concentrate on.