Teenage Carrickfergus rider Scott Swann enjoys impressive run at Silverstone

The 13-year-old impressed with a brace of top seven finishes at Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit.

His dad Mike, a former multiple Irish champion, said: “We were hoping for a top 10 from Scott but he went better than we expected. In the first free practice he was just trying to learn the track, as he’d never ridden the bike or tyres in the wet before – or more importantly, he’s never raced outside Ireland.

“He absolutely loved the track, saying it was awesome, so big and fast. Then in the second session which was timed qualifying, it was dry and he ended up fifth, just being pipped for fourth on the last lap. He couldn’t believe it and was full of confidence for the race.

“The first race was wet again and he had a few scary slides on the first lap and came round in 10th. He then started to get it together and worked his way up and broke away from a dice for seventh. He was starting to catch sixth place but ran out of time.

“He was very happy to get his lap times down to similar pace to the top four and finished seventh.

“The second race was dry but freezing cold and he was a bit too nice on the first lap and came round in 10th again. He then began to make his way through up to fifth and got involved in a race long battle with Jack Nixon, but got pipped on the last lap and ended up sixth. Again his times were respectable and close to the front four.

“He’s sixth in the championship after round one and learned so much for the next race and loved the whole KTM and BSB experience. He said he really wished they had another practice session but can’t wait for the next round – so roll on Oulton Park.”