HASLINGDEN rider Tom Carne is hopeful of a top five finish in the British 125GP Championship in 2012 as he prepares for life with Team Repli-Cast.

The 18-year-old made his debut in the championship with RCD Motorsport/FPW Racing last year, finishing 12th in the standings and gaining valuable experience after winning the Thundersport GB series in 2010.

Carne has now joined Barnsley-based Team Repli-Cast and, tipped by their boss Gary Dawson as a future British champion, is set to fly out to Spain in March for pre-season testing before his first race for his new team at Brands Hatch in early April.

The teenager is feeling optimistic about his chances for 2012, saying: “I’d like to finish in the top five. The bike is spot on. I’d like to get a few podiums.

“Last year was a good year, “I gained so much experience.

“I learned a lot, a lot more than I thought I would.

“I’m going to the south of Spain for testing at Cartagena on March 6 so that will be nice and I’m looking forward to that.

“That will be the first time I’ve ridden the bike. It’s about adjusting it to suit you, the brakes, the handlebars and mainly the suspension, that’s the big thing.”

Carne’s departure from RCD Motorsport/FPW Racing means an end to his official link-up with Mark Hodgson – father of Burnley’s former world Superbike champion Neil Hodgson – but he has been grateful for the guidance he has received from both and has been told he can still turn to them for advice.

His deal with Repli-Cast will see him save money on race costs and also possibly move into road racing during the summer.

Experienced road racer Ian Lougher is also part of the Yorkshire team.

“The manager of the team spoke to me at the last round of the season and he said he thought he could help me,” Carne said.

“It will work out a lot cheaper, so I can put my money towards the bike and making sure it always has new tyres.

“Paying for crash damage is always the thing that costs money but I’m getting that for free because they’ve said they will pay for that.

“I might be doing some road racing as well in the summer. Ian Lougher is one of the top riders in road racing, so the chance to ride with him will be great.

“The advice I’ve had from Neil Hodgson and his dad has been a massive help. Neil has said I can ring him if I ever need any advice and his dad will still be in the paddock, so I can still pop over.”