Randy Mamola’s son scores debut podium

Motorcycle racing has already produced its fair share of father and son racing successes.

There was Kenny Roberts and Kenny Roberts Junior, Graziano and Valentino Rossi, Ron and Leon Haslam.

And now step forward Randy Mamola and 14-year-old Dakota Mamola.

American Mamola’s son took his first big step to stardom at the Catalunya circuit last weekend when he claimed his maiden podium in a pre-125 class race of the Campionats de Catalunya de Motociclisme series.

Having qualified seventh, he finished third on the Metrakit pre-125GP machine. Dakota rides in a team run by former world 125GP champion Emilio Alzamora.

Mamola won 13 500cc world championship races and scored 41 other podiums as he finished runner-up in the series four times.

He was one of racing’s most colourful personalities and remains heavily involved in the series having been pitlane commentator for British Eurosport.

He will continue to a prominent figure in 2009 with his Ducati two-seater rides. He’s also acting as Bradley Smith’s mentor, and the Oxfordshire rider recently spent six weeks in Spain with Mamola training and riding with Randy and Dakota.