“It was all very unexpected – as I’d only ridden the bike on Friday for a half a day! We were going to be very happy with a top eight finish, but ended up setting pole position out of 30 riders. It all went really well and it felt amazing riding on the big tracks and on a big bike for the first time.”

His first round in the series started in the best way possible, taking all three wins in commanding fashion. Four races were scheduled, but due to a number of red flags over the course of the day, it was decided to cut the round to three.

Elliot isn’t new to the world of racing, competing in the the FAB-Racing Mini-Moto Championship and FAB Mini GP70 Championship before deciding to race in the Team Green Junior Cup (TGJC) for the 2016 season.

“We’d prepared for the FAB-Racing series by going to Spain for a week testing on the Mini GP70, but we hadn’t prepared for the TGJC at all as it was a bit of a last minute decision that I was going to take part – we’d only got the bike the weekend before the first round!”

Despite having the dream of becoming a MotoGP rider, Elliot, who attends Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, keeps up with his school work by fitting it in between testing and racing.

“It’s quite challenging at the moment but I’m trying really hard to make sure I stay on track with my school work. I did extra work in the Easter holidays to make up for time I was losing while I was out in Spain.”

Such a promising first result was a shock to Pinson…

“Before Donington, my aim for the season was to try and get to know the bike and the tracks for next year so that I had a shot at the Championships – as I’ve never ridden on a full size circuit or a bike that big before. But after the surprising result at Donington, who knows – maybe a top three finish this year?

“Bemsee is a really friendly paddock and the staff are always willing to help. I loved every minute of it – riding the big tracks and bigger bikes. It’s really nice having all the Juniors together in the garages so we can socialise easily. It was an amazingly fun experience – I can’t wait for the next round!”

About the Team Green Junior Cup

The Team Green Junior Cup started back in 2012, the series is now in its fifth season and has been rebranded the ‘Team Green Junior Cup’ to tie in with the overarching ‘Team Green’ brand which covers all racing activity.

In 2014, a ‘Senior’ class was introduced, meaning that the series wasn’t just limited to ‘Juniors’.

All riders are on the Kawasaki Ninja 300 machines – reliable four-stroke technology with a proven race pedigree. A prize fund of £8000 will be on offer - £2500 shared between the series winners from the ACU and £5500 that will be distributed to all riders based on performance and presentation throughout the year – with Spot Prizes at each round.

The series will feature at eight of the 2016 BMCRC dates – including Brands Hatch GP, Cadwell Park, Donington Park, Oulton Park, Snetterton 300 and Silverstone International.

For more information, visit: www.bemsee.net or call 01708 720305.

Images courtesy of: John Manclark/Karen Burrows