BILL Gribble, aged nine, of Carnkie, Redruth, who attends Pencoys School, Four Lanes, has become a popular character after earning the school a welcome cheque for £150.

The princely sum was handed over to the school's head teacher, Linda Dawe, by ACU race secretary Brenda Quintrell, following Bill's outstanding exploits on the race track.

After an amazing season, Bill's exploits were rewarded when he was crowned 65cc ACU British Youth National Champion at the ACU British Motorcycle Sports Awards ceremony at the Park Inn Hotel, Northampton near Silverstone.

The ACU (Auto Cycle Union), British motor sports largest governing body, also awarded Bill £150 to give to his school's sports fund in recognition of his skill and sportsmanship necessary to become an ACU champion.

Bill has ridden his 65cc Kawasaki to ultimate glory this year winning the 2006 Cornish Grasstrack Championship, the Flying Lap Cup, Cornwall's Grand Slam event and best out of county rider cup. Bill has also won the South West Grasstrack Association (SweGA) championship, and the new Sideways South West Championship, the Devonshire Dumpling at Newton Abbot and Somerset's premier grasstrack at Spaxton, hosted by Bridgewater and District Motor Club, where Bill cleaned up with a five ride maximum.

With his engine now personally tuned by Stan Stevens at Brands Hatch, a determined Bill set his sights on the 2006 British Youth National Championship and he clinched the British Championship title at the final round in Yorkshire when Bill took all six race wins."

The flying nine-year-old now has seven club, county and national grasstrack championship titles to his name and has won six ACU national medals, one bronze, three silver, and two gold. Bill is at present teaching his little sister, Mary, aged five, the basics of motorcycle racing.

Bill now moves up to the 100cc race group and is seeking sponsorship for the 2007 season and can be contacted on 07766 731310.