WEYMOUTH-BORN speedway ace Anders Rowe claimed the fifth round of the British Youth Championship 250cc series, staged at Rye House.

Riding in his third event of the season, Rowe produced a blistering performance to take the crown, and nobody in the stadium was prouder of the former Weymouth Wildcats mascot than his father Delwyn, a former Reading rider in his own right.

He told Echosport: “It was an awesome feeling for him, he is only 12-years-old and to get on a 250cc and win is a huge achievement in itself.

“It was his third competitive meeting on a 250cc and each time he has ridden he has got better and better so he is doing really well.”

Anders, who has been riding since the age of six, finished third and second in his first two outings of the series, which has already been wrapped up by Kings Lynn-based Lewis Whitmore.

The youngster’s recent form has really impressed his father, now a professional speedway mechanic who has worked with the likes of former Poole Pirates favourite Magnus Zetterstrom when he was at Wimborne Road.

Also a former member of the Wildcats’ set-up, the Rowe family left Weymouth three years ago, a decision that helped Anders get closer to the circuits for junior events.

He added: “We actually moved as a family from Weymouth up to Swindon to be closer to all the tracks.

“It wasn’t a tough decision, it was a no-brainer. If he is successful at something and we can help him then that’s what you have to do.

“When he has finished his school he wants to be a professional rider, he has the determination to do it.

“He could definitely get to Elite League level. All the kids are there on merit, they can all ride a bike well but his true grit and determination is there to get him to the top, which is what he wants.

“He eats sleeps and breathes Speedway and goes to school because he has to.

“One day if he doesn’t make it we can be sure that we have tried and we can move back to Weymouth, it’s just one of those things. It was a family decision that we made.”

The young speedster will be looking to secure a top-three finish in the series when it concludes at Redcar on Sunday.