BIKE racer Hayden Nelson will move up to the Australian Supersport 300 next year as part of a progression that he hopes will eventually see him advance to senior road race classes.
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The 14-year-old from Tinonee had his last race in the Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) last weekend at The Bend in South Australia.
He's still eligible to ride in the OJC next year, however, Hayden's dad, Craig, said the move to the Supersport 300 has come about through a natural factor - a growth spurt.
"Hayden's outgrown the (motor)bike,'' Craig explained.
The Supersport 300 is described as 'the primary feeder program for senior road race classes for riders'.
For the first time Hayden will be racing against adults as well as riders his own age. Contesting the class also won't stretch the family finances to breaking point.
"It's affordable,'' Craig explained.
"We've probably started a little late, but we're currently getting ready for next year.''
Testing will be held at Phillip Island in January and that is expected to be the venue for the opening round.
At this stage it's understood the championship will be over seven rounds, although the program has yet to be released. This could also be dependent on the vagaries of state governments regarding border closures, should problems with COVID-19 continue.
Hayden has ridden in the OJC for the past two years, however, disruptions caused by the pandemic have been frustrating.
The 2021 championship was reduced from seven rounds to three. Before last weekend the cup had been in abeyance since March. Hayden went into the last round with no chance of taking out the title after a mishap in the opening race of the year.
Here he was knocked out in a face fall when leading. He was badly concussed, so he was unable to race again that weekend.
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Had a full season been completed Hayden may have been able to claw back the points. But when the borders snapped shut, his chances evaporated. From the seven races in three rounds Hayden finished with one win, a second and two thirds.
He also set two qualifying lap records. He finished second overall in the final round to Cameron Swain, who dominated the championship.
Hayden finished the year in ninth place on 63 points. The second placed rider, who completed all three rounds, had 92. However, it was obvious in the last round that he was just too tall to sit comfortably on the machine.
While he has plenty of time on his side, Hayden's performances in the Supersport class will have a major bearing on his future racing.
"To go any further would be beyond our means - we'd need more backing for that,'' Craig said.
