Teenage racer hoping to be leader of the pack

Charlie Huntingford, 15, is aiming for a first podium finish this weekend

One of the latest prospects to roll off an eastern region motorsport production line has his sights set on a first podium finish.

Motorcycle rider Charlie Huntingford, 15, of Debenham, Suffolk, has been racing in a British youth series since he was 13.

The teenager is set for his third race of the 2024 British Talent Cup series this weekend.

He has told BBC Radio Suffolk how he thinks he can win at Snetterton, Norfolk, and boost his burgeoning career.

Charlie Huntingford is racing at Snetterton this weekend

Huntingford is hoping to follow in the slipstream of a line of motorsport stars from the region.

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, while George Russell, from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, and former driver Martin Brundle, from King's Lynn, Norfolk, are also from the east of England.

Speedway world champion Michael Lee, who lived in Shepreth, Cambridgeshire, as a child, raced for King's Lynn.

The 15-year-old is just the latest motorsport prospect to roll off an eastern region production line

The youngster is managed and supported by his father, Simon Huntingford, who runs a motorbike shop in Stowmarket, Suffolk.

Mr Huntingford said the teenager, now in his third British Talent Cup season, is "getting there".

"Charlie is a different rider this year," he told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"He has grown up. I have got a good vibe about this season.

"Charlie has really shown what he can do. It just needs to click together in one round. [I hope] Snetterton is that round."

He added: "We are getting there."

Charlie Huntingford is hoping for a first podium finish at Snetterton

Huntingford, who races at speeds of more than 100mph, predicted he would win at Snetterton, with the event taking place on the same weekend as the British Grand Prix.

"I cannot wait," he told the BBC.

"Getting on the podium - I would be absolutely over the moon."

The teenager has been racing in a youth series since he was 13

Mr Huntingford said his son had been involved in several high-speed crashes - one at 80mph.

"Charlie wants to be a motorbike racer," he said.

"It is part of learning that craft. It is horrible but you do get used to it."