Could Mangakino's Kayne Lamont be New Zealand's next big international motorcycling success story?
At huge expense, the Lamont family have backed their 17-year-old son in his bid to achieve motocross glory on the other side of the world.
Following in the wheel-tracks of Kiwi motocross pioneers such as Taranaki brothersDarryll, Shayne and Damien King, Motueka's Josh Coppins and Tauranga's Ben Townley, Lamont embarked on a journey this year to "live the dream" and to seek out motocross fame and fortune in the European hotbed of the sport.
He won the two main classes at the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championship near Blenheim in April, then immediately afterwards boarded a plane for Europe.
Now based in England, the Suzuki rider has been flitting to and fro across the English Channel to tackle several rounds of the European 125cc championships (EMX125).
He scored solid points at the latest round of that series in Sweden, finishing 11th and 15th, placing him 14th overall for the day.
The confidence boost from that outstanding result propelled the Kiwi to a new level and, just a week ago, he put himself on the top step of the podium, this time at round six of the Red Bull British 125cc Championships at the Howton Court circuit in Pontrilas, south Herefordshire, close to the Welsh border.
Battling with top British talents Dave Willet, James Dunn and Jim Davies, Lamont won the first race for the weekend and finished runner-up in the second leg.
That put Lamont level on points with Willet as the riders lined up for the event's third and deciding race.
Lamont snatched the holeshot and ran away with the final race, putting on an unbelievable display of mastery with his RM125 and finishing the race more than 12 seconds ahead of Willet.
Lamont had also finished seventh overall in the elite rookies class races staged over the weekend, this despite enduring several crashes and the fact that he withdrew from the last race with stomach cramps.
Lamont now prepares himself to race in the next round of the British championships in a fortnight before heading back across the channel to race at the sixth round of seven in the EMX125 Championships in the Czech Republic on August 8.
