British MotoGP: Keen Race Preperations' youngsters Donington Park dream comes true

KRP youngsters Robbie Stewart, Nikki Coatesand Tom Hayward are gearing up for the biggest race of their lives at the British MotoGP on Sunday, June 24, 2007.

Robbie Stewart from Perth, Nikki Coates from Belfast and Tom Hayward from Lincoln have all been awarded prestigious ‘wild-card’ entries for the event by bosses at the FIM, the international organisation which governs the world motorcycle racing championships.

The talented teenagers race for the Buckinghamshire based Keen Race Preparation team in the British 125cc Championship and Robbie Stewart and Nikki Coates also compete in Spanish Championship, the toughest domestic series in the world.

The youngsters have been rewarded for their excellent performances so far this year by being given the opportunity to test themselves against the best riders in the world.

“It’s going to be tough but it should be a great weekend,” said Robbie Stewart. “It’ll be exciting just to be out there with the top stars I watch every week on the television and my aim is to learn, improve my times and see where that takes me.”

Nikki Coates said: “It’s the chance of a lifetime and I’m really looking forward to it. Perhaps I should be preparing myself to be ridden over by the GP regulars but they’re only human and I will be doing my very best to beat as many of them as I can.”

Team boss Mark Keen is also realistic about the task that lies ahead. “We’re up against the best teams in the world with the best riders on the best bikes in the world and I know from experience how difficult it’s going to be.

“The aim for the weekend will be for the boys to learn from the experience and up their game. I want them both to strive to be top wild card and to take as many regulars’ scalps as possible along the way.”

Both KRP riders are fans of Donington Park and Robbie Stewart won his first British Championship race there in 2006. “Although I won there in the wet I haven’t actually got much experience of the place,” said Stewart.

“But it flows nicely with ups and downs and I really like riding there.”

Nikki Coates agreed: “It’s got a stop-go element but most of it is fast and flowing. It’s definitely one of my favourite circuits.”

These three young men are working on their physical fitness and preparing themselves psychologically to take on the best riders in the world in their Grand Prix debuts.

The two riders have become friends while living and competing together at tracks up and down Britain this season and will be working together at Donington Park.

“We’ve got an idea from racing in the Spanish Championship how tough it’s going to be but I’m sure we’ll be helping each other all we can to have the best weekend possible.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and we’ll be making the most of it,” concluded Robbie Stewart.