Bermuda's largest racing team is a family affair with the island's youngest girl rider Haley Place following in the tyre tracks of her grandfather and father.

The eight-year-old, who rides for team 9/11 is in her second season blazing around the bends at St. David's while her dad Bryce races the 600 cc superbikes.

Her proud mum Carleen Place said: "She's been a daredevil for as long as I can remember ¿ on her pedal bike. I think she has it in her blood."

Her grandfather was Cyril (Big) Smith, Bermuda's stuntman who used to jump over buses and cars at PHC stadium.

"She had heard these stories for as long as she could remember so I don't think I could stop her from doing it."

Haley's cousin Taznae Fubler, who also rides 50 ccs for 9/11 is just one year older.

"My husband a long time ago used to ride motocross and this is his first year riding the 600 superbikes. He gave up motorcross after breaking his shoulder and legs but got the fever from being down the track and watching my daughter. He started begging me to do it again and I finally gave in this year."

Last year Haley was second in her class but this year is getting used to a bigger bike.

"She's holding her own," said her mum who added that she could understand the attraction even though her two other daughters have no interest in the sport.

"I have always had a love for speed. My parents moved to Florida when I was a teen so I was always at Daytona Beach race track watching Nascar or superbike or motocross. I guess it is just as much in my blood as it is in hers."

Team 9/11 is the largest in the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club although points are handed out individually.

Mrs. Place said: "We are trying to take this to the next level and get it more like the US where you get a business to sponsor a team. The team is great for support and training ¿ it's always good to have the children teamed up with older folk but also from the perspective of financial backing."

Older riders travel overseas to race in an international setting, gaining valuable experience, which they in turn bring back to our young riders.

Last year, Jevaughn 'Squirrel' Simons, was racing the team's 600 cc Superbike. This year, he has been representing Bermuda, and racing overseas in the WERA/Michelin National Challenge series, and is currently the points leader for 600 Superbike novice, and 600 Superstock novice classes.

The Place family joined up with Marvin (Skinny) Robinson's team, named after his original bike number ¿ 9/11.

Skinny, who died a year ago from injuries sustained in a crash at the Bermuda Motorsports Park in St. David's, was the cousin of Mrs Place's husband.

Mrs. Place said: "I always knew him as a cordial fun-loving person ¿ someone who always wanted to help others and that's the kind of basis for how the team started.

"He had just himself riding and saw parents with their kids and he said come and join me so he could offer instruction. He supported the family structure which is why we try to get family involved.

"We try to encourage the children's parents to come down there so we just don't want people dropping their children off ¿ it's you come and support your kid and help out."

The team includes Skinny's 13-year-old son Markeem who teammates say has a similar body positioning and riding style to his father who was the 2006 600 cc SuperBike champion and had nurtured his son's riding ambitions before tragedy struck.

Team 9/11 has:

Three riders in the MiniGP 50 cc class ¿ Haley Place, Taznae Fubler and Chare Smith.

Two riders in the 70 cc class ¿ Markeem Simmons and Wytiko Showers.

One rider in the Scooter class ¿ Jeneko Place.

One rider in the 125 cc class ¿ Vince Belboda.

One rider in the 250 cc formula class ¿ Billy Dunn.

One rider in the 600 cc superbike class ¿ Bryce Place.

l This Sunday race fans can enjoy the "Gasoline Grand Prix", starting at 2 p.m.Gates open at 12 p.m. and it is $5 for kids and $10 for adults and seniors and special needs people are admitted free.