APPRENTICE bricklayer Duncan Towler is laying the foundations for a career in Motocross.

And the Burnley-based rider, who has just finished his best-ever season, has concluded a sponsorship deal for this year.

Accrington company T.Blank Tyres are backing Duncan's efforts next year in the Rossendale BYMX and Vale of Rossendale ACU club championships.

And after finishing second and third overall respectively this year, he is confident of going even further.

"I'm planning to do both championships again, with the aim of getting my ACU expert licence so that I can compete in national motocross meetings," explained Duncan, 19, who started out in the sport six years ago.

A string of top three finishes in a 20-race season on his Honda 125 gave him the Rossendale BYMX Club's 'Most Improved Rider' award.

Added Duncan: "My dad, Philip, acts as mechanic at all the meetings and is always encouraging me. I spend at lot of time watching the experts on videos and learning from them, I just want to be the best I can."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.