Thunderous win for local coach (From Barry And District News)

Thunderous win for local coach

AS FIRST reported in this paper earlier in the year, the super fast duo of coach Mark "Cedric" Edwards of Llantwit Major (Ex Welsh Champion) and his protege 15-year-old Daniel "Ferret" Cooper of Gloucester proved what a winning team they have been all year by carrying off major awards with the North Gloucester Road Racing Club and New Era Motorcycle Club.

Last Sunday at Pembrey Race Track in Llanelli, Mark took the 'Sound of Thunder' Championship on his Ducati 748RS with a fine win on Sunday. Not a bad result after 10 years out of the saddle. But the real excitement for Mark came as his young protege, and the reason for Marks return to racing, Daniel the "Ferret" gave the ride of his young career to win all four 125cc races and set a new 125 outright lap record that has previously stood for eight years at 1:02.8 to what will prove to be a very hard to bear 1:01.8, ending the day with a further win in the 250cc class on his Honda RS 125 taking on opposition and bikes of twice his size.

This exceptional performance saw Daniel crowned as 125cc champion to go with his New Era 125cc Championship that he tied up the week previously. Straight from this meeting Daniel went to Donnington Park to test the water in the British Championships against the cream of Britain's 125 racers. A brilliant display of Daniel's guts, determination and raw talent saw him finish in an amazing fourth place, proving that the talent Mark first saw in him last year really does exist.

Mark would like to thank all the people who had the faith to believe that he had found a truly amazing talent and were prepared to invest their time and money on this unknown youngster. These special people deserve a mention: e-validator, 5a, Seanna, SEREN Loans, Joseph Peruccia on Motomoda, Dave Hammond, Richard Gough, Lee Davies and the families and friends of both riders. These people can take credit for all their efforts and for the ensuing results.

Mark is now busy trying to put a team together to compete at British Championship level next year where hopefully he can impart his knowledge and skills to other promising young riders. Any companies or people who would like to help develop a future champion please contact Mark at younggunsraceteam@hotmail.com