Taylor Mackenzie gives a whole new meaning to the saying ‘pocket rocket’. The tiny-framed 15-year-old is a great example of why you should never underestimate the little guy as he competes in the Relentless British 125GP Championship for 2008.
Following in his father's footsteps, the son of three-times British Superbike Champion Niall Mackenzie debuts in the British paddock this season racing for UK1, who also run Luke Jones in the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship.
Taylor said:  “I’ve been around bikes all my life. When I was just three months old I was in the GP paddock so I’ve never known anything different.  I just thought I would give it a go on mini-motos when I was 12, then moved onto the Aprilia 125 and this year into the British Championship.
“The reason for coming to British rounds was to bring me on.  There is somebody at every pace whether it is last place or first place, there is always someone there at your pace that you can try and get faster than and latch on to.
“We were in at the deep end at the start of the year but we are steadily improving and getting better results.  Every race we’ve improved and we’re knocking time off every time we go out so I am happy with it so far.”
The rider from Ashby de-la Zouch is extremely mature for his age and fully focused on his targets, and once achieved the next one is immediately in place.  Already this ambition has bought Mackenzie junior's season on in leaps and bounds.
He said: “The target now is top ten and it will be hard.  At the start it was just to qualify for the races, then it was a top 20 and then to score points. I’ve scored points five times this year, I was in the points at the second round and I wasn’t expecting that at all.  And then to do it most weeks now is great.”
In amongst his race battles and fitness regime which consists of the gym, swimming cycling and running he is obtaining successful results at school to be able to continue with his on track battles.
Talking about his personality and why he can’t get enough, Taylor said: “I am really competitive and don’t like losing at anything, I have to say I am a bit of sore loser.  I used to do most sports, football, rugby, hockey and got not bad at them all really.
“I was a jack of all trades and a master of none, then took up bike racing and dropped everything.  With racing it's just the speed, adrenalin rush, hard racing and passing. Everything about it really apart from the crashing.  Hopefully this will be my master, but we’re just improving and see what happens.”