MOTORCYCLE racing got a boost in participation and action at last Monday’s Texaco Techron Heroes of Speed meet at Dover Raceway, St Ann, through the efforts of the LesPow GP Motorcyclists’ Training Programme run by Michelle Laidlaw.

Both local circuits saw over 15 riders take part in the two-day training programme that will be expanded into the 2014 racing season.

“We aim to be the Bracket 45 for bike riders,” said Laidlaw in reference to B45, which the Jamaica Race Drivers Club uses as an entry-level class for budding racers seeking to gain experience before moving up.

The programme caters to street riders and those already in competition with four overseas instructors: Leslie Powis, Melvin McKellar, Kevin Manning and Kevin Jones, who share over 25 years of professional North American motorbike racing experience among them.

“They’re all Jamaican, which brings an important perspective to the training,” said Laidlaw.

While it was their first time to JamWest Speedway, Westmoreland and Dover Raceway, all four firmly believed that the key skills of safety and proper technique work wherever applied — on the street or the racetrack.

“The training isn’t just for racers. It’s to help take riders off the street and let them know there is an avenue for them should they wish to compete,” said Laidlaw.

Overall, the trainers were happy with the level of the local talent. Laidlaw hinted that there is the possibility for the programme to expose a rider of sufficient skill to the opportunity to race overseas under the Team One Love Road Racing banner under which the four trainers operate.