A new race formula which was invented in America is now gathering pace both here and across the water with the grid for ThundersportGB’s Moto450 series now filling up and its US conterpart in the same situation.

450Moto, as it is known in the States, was invented by British ex-pat Gavin Trippe as an attempt to get more youngsters into bike racing in a series that doesn’t cost the earth. And it seems to be working.

Trippe, who is also responsible for the AMA’s Supermoto series, had the idea to marry 450cc four-stroke motocross engines into road racing chassis - a cost-effective idea which gives youngsters a path into racing a 60bhp but very light bike.

In perfect Californian, Trippe said: "This is the perfect mid-class ‘Boy Racer’ between 125s and 600s. A real no brainer as 450s are the ‘everyman racer’. Standard chassis, swingarm, sub-frame, even standard gas tank under the cover, they sound great, look good and bang bars, great show… 230lbs and 60 bhp at rear wheel.

"Do the math on power weight ratio. A standard 600 is 410 lbs and 108 bhp! An old Manx Norton was 50 bhp and 320 lbs! These are the new AJS-7R ‘Boy Racer. will get lots of new riders on the track."

ThundersportGB’s Dave Stewart like the idea so much, he has included it in his series and RLR Motorsport are now building bikes to suit and they have one on the Thundersport stand at the NEC this weekend.

Stewart added: "These bikes are a fantastic learning platform for riders that may have previously competed on Aprilia RS125 Superteen machines who are looking for a step somewhere between that and 600cc racing. They also provide an excellent platform for learning about riding on slick tyres and setting up a proper little race bike."
Click here for a look at Mark Hanna’s Suzuki 450