BEN Dale is new to motorbike racing but he is certainly making his mark.

The 32-year-old bricklayer from Great Sankey is currently leading the Pre-Injection 600 class in the Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club Championship after four rounds.

In his two most recent races on the track in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, he led in style from start to finish.

That backed up his two wins from the opening meeting in April.

May's event was abandoned due to wet-weather conditions and he will be aiming to continue his fine form in the next outing on Sunday.

Warrington Guardian:

Ben Dale in race mode. Picture: Tony Else Photography

Dale races a 1999 Honda CBR 600, which is kept in tip-top shape before and during racing by his two mechanics Brian Crank, of Tyrewise Northwich, and Neil Percival, of Percy's Autos, also Northwich.

"The team is just as important as the racing and it really wouldn't be possible without them," said Dale, a former Great Sankey High School student who has three sons with his girlfriend of 13 years, Ferne Martin.

He first started riding road bikes when he past his test 11 years ago but gaining his road race licence from the Auto Cycle Union (ACU) came much later.

"I always wanted to race motorbikes but the opportunity never seemed to come around until summer 2020," he explained.

"I did my ACU test in August and then had my first round at Darley Moor in the September.

"I chose Darley Moor because it's one of the more affordable clubs to race at, and the fast track seems to suit my riding style."

It certainly does, judging by Dale's latest efforts.

"In race one I won with a 20-second lead over second place with a fastest lap of 58.9seconds," he said.

"Race two I won with a smaller advantage of 10 seconds and one second off the race record for that class.

"With four rounds remaining the plan is to carry on our current form. Currently I have 30pts, six points ahead of second position."