Jay Bellers-Smith, World Supersport, Silverstone, June 14-15

As part of his training with the ACU Race Academy Merthyr rider Jay Bellers-Smith aged 16, was invited to join the Honda World Supersport teams in the paddock at Silverstone on Sunday to get an insight on all the work done in the team garage in preparation for a world-class event.

The budding star of tomorrow is part of the youth road racing training academy run by the ACU, ­ Britain’s motorcycle racing federation.

Jay and fellow academy student Cal Crutchlow, 17,teamed up with the Klaffi Honda Supersport squad.

" It’s great for the youngsters to get this opportunity to join such established world championship teams, " said Academy manager Dave Luscombe. " The whole idea is for them to learn about the other side of racing ­ away from riding around a track. "

During the weekend the two youngsters were pit garage observers during the hectic practice and qualifying sessions, de-briefs with riders and technicians and also learnt about the benefits of on-board data logging.

Christian Irod, chief technician for the Klaffi CBR600RR team, said: " It’s been great having the boys around, they’re so keen to learn and they’ve shown interest to the point where we hope we’ve assisted with their future careers. "

Irod continued: " We’ve introduced Jay and Cal to our riders and team and I’m sure it’s been an education for them. We’ve also been keen to find out their future plans, it’s always nice to meet youngsters embarking on a racing career. "

Jay is in his first year with the Academy while Crutchlow is in year three of the programme.

" I have really enjoyed the experience of working with a world class team, " said Jay. " It is a privilege to go behind the scenes that I would never have been able to achieve without the backing of the Academy. I will watch Team Klaffi’s results with renewed interest from now on! They were very helpful and I have learned a great deal form the weekend. "

Jay is back in track action on June 29 where he will be contesting the Welsh Championship at the round scheduled for Ty-Croes near Anglesey.