Career Choices............

Danny’s 2005 season means competing in two championships, the British 125 GP and the Spanish 125.

In the British 125cc championship, the rules say......bike and rider must reach a minimum weight to be allowed to compete, but because of 14-year-old Danny's diminutive stature (Danny weighs 35 kilos, and stands 4ft 8 and a half inches or 144 cm tall) must carry an extra 24 kilos of ballast on his tiny 125 UK1 Racing Honda. Danny explains.....................

It makes it very difficult for me, as the bike I race in Spain does not have to carry the extra weight, and that handles very nicely. In the British races the bike with the extra weight feels strange, and just a bit scary. I understand the idea of the minimum weight rule, but it’s not my fault I am still growing and 24 extra kilos is over half my body weight, which is really too much. Not only does it make the bike slower, but it also makes it hard to ride through the corners. Actually I think it is dangerous, and I’ll have to seriously think about whether I can continue to race in the UK this season, which is a great disappointment. Basically I am racing a machine, that weighs the same as a 250cc motorcycle.

The Honda I race in Spain is a beautiful work of art, but more importantly just perfect for my riding style and weight and I am learning so much every time I ride it.

I know I am very lucky to have been selected to ride in the Dorna Training Academy in Spain, and obviously want to do well, but I also want to race in England with UK1 Team............”a difficult career decision at such an early stage” and I’m not sure what to do yet...........