NORTHWICH rider Adam Boyle was frustrated after an engine fault left him as a spectator in the latest round of the Thundersport 600 series at Donington Park.

The 16-year-old competitor, who has just completed his GCSEs at Rudheath High School, was forced to withdraw from Race Two after his Triumph 675 blew a head gasket.

In Race One, Adam had finished 11th after starting on the grid in 12th from a field of 34 riders following a promising qualifying session.

It was the first time Adam had ridden his Triumph around the Derbyshire race circuit and his team, including dad Shaun, had been working hard to get the bike’s engine and gears just right for the challenging twists and turns of Donington.

Shaun said: “Adam finished the 10 lap race in 11th position but knew he could do better in the second race as the gearing needed changing, we analysed the sector times and knew we could change the gearing to give him more top end into Craner Curves and up Starkys.

“We replaced the chain and sprockets and geared it accordingly looking forward to race two with better expectations but it was not to be as just after the warm-up lap the head gasket blew and we were pushed off the line to watch from the pit wall.

“A disappointing end to a long four days. We now must wait until the next meeting in mid July. It seems such a long season already but we are only half way through and I still have to remind my self Adam is only 16 years old, racing against riders a lot older.”

Adam started riding in the mini-motos series alongside fellow Northwich race ace Conner Behan.

He has applied to Mid Cheshire College in Hartford to study Mechanics.