Eden teenager to try out for motorbike racing team

Fourteen-year-old motorbike whizzkid Kevin Keyes from Edenderry is being given a chance to prove his worth by an English racing team over the coming month, and his friends in Edenderry are doing all they can to help make his dream come true. The Oaklands Community College Junior Cert student isn't legally allowed on a motorbike in Ireland outside of his weekend races. However, his top form in the Motorcycle Club of Ireland's Irish Clubman's Championship has caught the attention of team bosses in England who have given him a trial. On August 3 next generous supporters are hosting a benefit night to fund Kevin's progress in the weekend hobby that he hopes to turn into a career. Kevin, who lives just outside Edenderry with his mother Ann, father Ron and younger sister Jessica, began racing mini-motos at the tender age of six. After becoming a bit of a star in the junior level championships he moved on, aged twelve, to the Irish Clubman's Championship, racing full size modified motorbikes. Now in his third year racing at this level, he leads the championship that sees him race at Mondello near Naas and Kirkistown in Co. Down. His first year at this race level saw him experience some bike trouble and end up fifth at season's end. Last year's championship saw him finish second, and this year he's hoping for one better by the end of the season in September. "It's still tight yet," he cautioned. "I had two mishaps in Mondello that brought me down 50 points but I racked them back up and we're leading again." Kevin says the trick to winning is to have no fear, something his mother Ann still hasn't totally mastered. "I'm proud, but the fear is still there," the Ofalia House worker said. Ann, who travels to all of Kevin's races along with her husband Ron, explained that she times Kevin during races and knows when he should be appearing around the corner on his bike. "If he's not coming I just look down at him [Ron] and go: 'What's going on here?'," she explained. "Then he comes around the corner." However Kevin says he has no fear when racing and instead just experiences a buzz. "A friend used to say if you're afraid you can't win," he said, referring to his motorbike racing friend Sean Hurley from Cork who died late last year following a car crash near his home. "You just have to be fearless," he added. Along with no fear, Kevin has a real enthusiasm for his hobby of eight years and counting. This weekend he travels to Co. Down to compete, and the weekend after sees him travel to England to take part in his first trial for English racing team JDF. "If all goes well I'll be racing with them next year in England," he said. Racing with a team is something Kevin aspires to. "I've always wanted to be part of a team," he said, explaining that in Ireland competitors are usually individuals rather than part of a team. He said he'd also love to get picked as it would lead to him learning more and progressing in the field faster. "I want to try and make a job out of it," he said, adding that his ultimate aim is to become world champion. While the prospect scares Ann, she said she'll still support her son 100% once he's enjoying it. "This is what he wants to do," she said. A fundraising night for Kevin will take place at The Copper Bar on August 3. Owner Michael Regan is giving the premises free of charge for the event, which is being sponsored by Pat McBride Construction and Thomas Glynn of Kitchen Design Studio. Tickets and posters meanwhile are being provided by Martin Mason Design. Entertainment on the night will be provided by John Nolan, Saoirse, Cassidy Says and Project X. Tickets for the event will be available around Edenderry as well as at The Copper Bar and will cost just €5.