Bermuda's Chris Wallington has set his sights on joining the ranks of the world's top motorcycle racers.

Just two years after his breath was taken away by the sight of elite riders hurtling round a Florida track at nearly 200 mph, Wallington has taken large strides towards achieving his ambition.

The 21-year-old from Southampton has just finished his first season of competitive amateur racing in the United States and finished third in the Grand Prix singles in the Florida and South East Region Championship Cup Series.

Riding a 125cc Honda, he also came fifth overall in the Lightweight Grand Prix class, where he was up against professional riders, some on 250cc machines.

Wallington's desire to get involved with motorsport was fired by a trip to see one of the world's top races, the Daytona 200, when he was 19 years-old.

"At first it stopped my heart when I saw these guys going round at 195 mph,'' said Wallington.

"I couldn't believe how low they could take a bike round a corner without actually coming off, but after I'd seen that, I just had to have a go myself.'' To learn the skills he would need, he went to former racing champion Keith Code's Superbike School in California.

"There the main things they teach you are basic cornering manoeuvres and overcoming the survival instinct, which makes you want to slow down when you don't need to. That's probably the most difficult thing about racing.'' Having enjoyed such success in his first year of competitive racing, Wallington has bought a more powerful bike, a 600cc Kawasaki, so he can move up to the heavyweight racing grade next year.

"You could say the 600 is a lot more violent -- it will do about 168 mph, while the 125 did 140 mph,'' said Wallington.

"You get to know your competition well and the 125 guys are a pretty patient bunch and all accept each other, but it's more serious with the heavyweight guys -- it's dog eat dog with them.'' The new season will open for Wallington at the Reobling Roads Raceway, Georgia, at the end of next month.

If Wallington reaches his goal of becoming a factory rider for a team like Kawasaki, he could earn a multi-million-dollar salary, but he knows a difficult and expensive road lies ahead.

In the coming season, the cost of running his bike, travelling between Bermuda and the USA and track fees will amount to more than $90,000. And it is only the support of his father Leslie, who works in the construction business, which allows him to continue.

Wallington, who works with his father while on the Island, said: "It's not money that motivates me to do well, but unfortunately you need money. In this sport, there is a saying that money buys speed and it's true.'' Regulations prevent Wallington from accepting sponsorship from companies in the USA, so he is seeking backing from Bermuda-based businesses. Anyone interested in helping can contact him on 238-0343.

SPEED MERCHANT -- Chris Wallington, who is making a name for himself on the US motorcycle racing circuit, displays his cornering skills.