FEATHERSTON speedway racer Jade Mudgway boarded a plane bound for England on Monday morning in pursuit of his dream, a career in his sport.
Jade, 19, who first rode a motorcycle when he was three, hopes to follow the likes of Ronnie Moore and Ivan Mauger, who rose to the top
of the world on the cinder tracks of Europe.
The newly-qualified motorcycle mechanic's ankle was badly wrenched in a crash while he was racing against the visiting Australians in an under-21 test series over Christmas/New Year.
Pessimists told him gloomily that it would never come right and the European dream was put on hold.
They didn't reckon on the healing powers of youth and the determination of the young racer, who has competed at the highest level for some years.
It took four months, but the ankle is now as good as ever, Jade said while packing for the trip on Saturday.
In the meantime he's continued to rack up titles, including wins in the Manawatu, Hawke's Bay and 70 Solos series.
He's only suffered one loss in his last six outings, and is as ready as he's ever likely to be for the European challenge.
There's no doubting the enormity of that challenge.
Jade wants to ride for an English team, and they are limited to one overseas rider at a time.
So the Kiwi has to outperform established competitors in order to catch the eye of the talent scouts.
During his five months in Europe he will ride at meetings in Eastbourne, Oxford and the Isle of Wight, and a couple of others, including a meet in Austria.
It's easier to get into European teams, which have no "import" limits, but he would then face a language barrier.
The trip is being done on a shoestring and owes much to family friend Dennis Hall, a regular visitor to New Zealand and who is supplying Jade with both accommodation and a competitive bike.
He's also a travelling companion, a big plus with the nervous Jade never having travelled overseas before.
The young racer will have one familiar face on his trip, with Andrew Bargh from Hastings (a relative of the Martinborough family) also seeking a place in Britain.
There are other New Zealanders already established there, which raise the possibility of a Kiwi team for international competition.
"My main aim is to get there, get into a team and get organised for next year," said Jade.
He returns on November 13, in time for the New Zealand season.
FEATHERSTON speedway racer Jade Mudgway boarded a plane bound for England on Monday morning in pursuit of his dream, a career in his sport.
Jade, 19, who first rode a motorcycle when he was three, hopes to follow the likes of Ronnie Moore and Ivan Mauger, who rose to the top
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