A 32-year-old Pembroke Dock man has just scooped a major road racing trophy in his first full year of motorcycle racing.

Originally from Tenby, Adam Barclay, of 3 Finch Close, scooped the North Gloucester Road Racing Novice championship on his 1000cc Yamaha R1, in the penultimate race of the season at Pembrey recently.

Adam, who didn't start riding motorcycles until the age of 24, first took up racing in August last year because "riding motorcycles on roads was starting to get too dangerous!"

"To be honest, I didn't enjoy riding on the road anymore, so I started doing track days at Pembrey and progressed from there," he explained.

However, just one race into the season, the self-employed carpenter crashed, resulting in three months off work.

"As I am not sponsored and fund my racing myself, I decided it was not worth it," admitted Adam.

However, he maintained his interest in the sport.

"I started seeing the lap times for remaining races and thought I could match them, so I decided to have another go this year," he said.

Adam's first race of the season was at Darley Moor when, from starting at 16th spot on the grid, he notched up second place.

Despite stiff competition, Adam kept clocking up good results, the worst in nine races being a third, and with two races left in the season, looked well placed to lift the title.

"The second to last race of the season was at Pembrey, with a double meet on the Saturday and Sunday," Adam continued. "I knew that if I could get the results I could wrap up the championship without having to go into the last race meeting."

However, disaster almost struck when he blew his motorcycle's engine in practice on the Friday evening.

"Luckily the boys from J. and H. Fabrications, Kilgetty, were at the meet, too, racing in the 400cc classes, and they were up until midnight with me putting in my spare engine!

"I came second in the race on the Saturday and knew nothing short of a first place would be enough on the Sunday if I was to avoid having to go to the last meet. Luckily I got a good start and managed to win."

The next step for Adam is to do the best he can in the Open Championships.

"I did have a go this year, and came second in the qualifier, but then my bike started playing up," he explained.

"Next year I want to really make my presence felt, but I know it will be hard as I'll be up against semi-professionals who are paid to ride.

"Also my bike, at three years old, is starting to get a bit past it. Advances in technology mean that there are even 750cc bikes out there faster than mine.

"It can be a very expensive hobby, particularly as I receive no sponsorship and fund everything myself, but I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.

"It's been a very big learning curve this season, but it's absolutely incredible to win a title in my first year."