Banks Racing have signed 14-year-old Joe Francis to lead their assault on the British 125cc Championship in 2012 after he clinched the Thundersport Aprilia Superteen Challenge this season.

Francis will campaign the team's Honda RS125 which has seen wins and podiums courtesy of Luke Hedger, Brian Clark and Ed Rendell in recent seasons and the Cheshire teenager can't wait to get started.

“I am really excited about joining Banks Racing and I am looking forward to working with Pete, Alan and Martin. I know the British 125GP Championship will be my hardest challenge yet but I am going to give it 110 percent. I would just like to thank all my sponsors past and present, without them reaching this stage in my career would not have been possible," he said.