JUST four years ago Toriano Wilson had never raced a bike. Now he is competing against the best young riders in North and South America and could even turn pro next year.

It's been a meteoric rise for the 14-year-old St. David's boy.

But given his family background perhaps it's not all that surprising.

Dad Dennis rode in Canada and the United States and bought bikes for all three of his boys while his wife, who was against them riding, was away. Toriano, the oldest, was only ten when he started but his father said he was a natural from the word go.

Now the pair are off to Alabama tomorrow where Toriano will undergo his second test ride after notching the fastest time in the first test in Laguna Seca, California ahead of the Red Bull AM US Rookies Cup.

It's the ideal forum to get noticed and Toriano is already turning heads.

Father Dennis said: "According to what everyone says overseas he stands a crack at making moto GP. But he has to perform.

"It's all about the mindset. You have to want it. It's a different type of person who can do a 100 mph and keep their cool."

Indeed Toriano has hit speeds of 120-130 mph in Atlanta but it doesn't worry his father too much. "No, I used to race, to me it's natural."

If all goes well a pro career might not be very far away for the youngster.

"You have kids in moto GP riding at only 15. There's an exceptional English kid over there right now that rode in the last race. He's 15 and he actually came third."

But Toriano has plenty of work ahead of him. Races last up to 45 minutes, requiring physical strength, endurance and mental toughness.

Toriano, who is home schooled, will probably stay with family in New York ahead of next month's third test back in Alabama with the first date in the nine-race series coming a week later at the Barber Motorsports in Atlanta on April 19.

The tests help tune the rider to the bike but also gives some clues about in-form riders.

Toriano is enjoying his new KTM RC125 racer as he prepares for races. The youngster said: "It's much better, it handles better and is faster."

American tracks of up to three miles dwarf the set-up at St. David's, which is about an eighth of a mile, and Toriano is enjoying stretching out as he learns to pick the right racing lines, when to stop for gas and when to brake.

His dad said: "He has a very flowing style. He's not an abrupt and overly aggressive rider."

The series finishes in October. The top ten riders will go to a three-day event against top European riders in Valencia, Spain in November but only two or three will be allowed to stay on next year.

The dream of turning pro is putting pressure on the family's finances as it tries to fund the trips to race.

Wilson said: "I am out of pocket."

The family received a very generous donation from one of his son's primary school teachers recently ¿ enough to fund two trips, with each race costing the family up to $5,000.

But it's a long road for both Toriano said his dad. "He's up against the best of the best."

n Potential sponsors are asked to call Wilson on 336 2700.