Narooma High School student Reid Battye will get the chance to race internationally.
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After an invite to race on the World Superbike tour as part of Kawasaki’s Italian outfit, Reid and his family have been frantically racing to raise money for the first installment of entry fees.
However, Reid revealed on Monday the family was close enough to the target, that the deal has been signed.
“We’re pretty close to that first installment and I am so thrilled to have this opportunity,” Reid beamed.
Family friend Glenn Cotter has been assisting the family to raise money in time to sign the deal.
Mr Cotter said a number of generous private citizens had offered support following articles on Reid’s deal last week.
With several donations, totalling a significant contribution to the cost, Mr Cotter said it was due to the overwhelming generosity of the community that Reid could accept the contract.
Reid, and his family have been working frantically to raise the money themselves, but said he was overwhelmed to have the support.
“I really want to thank everyone on the South Coast for getting behind me.”
“The support as well as messages and kind words has been unreal.”
Reid competed as a wild card in the final round of the world series in Jerez, Spain, but the contract was waiting by the time the family got home.
“I didn’t get the result, or really the chance to show what I can do, but the team were pleased with the data,” he explains.
“I was so honoured they see potential in me.”
Even before they got home to Bermagui, a 12-month contract was waiting..
“As soon as we got the offer I wanted to sign – the prospect of living in Europe for a year and racing in the world championships is mind-blowing.”
The move could come sooner than expected, with the teenager expected to be on a plane by the end of November.
He will leave with the team boss in Italy and train daily under the watchful vigil of high profile world superbike riders and ride alongside them.
Reid said the tracks he would get to race were iconic and steeped in history.
“Some of the biggest motorsport races in history have been held at these circuits,” he says.
So the chance to blast around them on a 300cc Ninja is even more exciting.
“Racing the world championship will be crazy,” Reid beams. “Being part of the paddock [in Jerez] is an experience I will never forget.
“I’ve only had a small taste, but it’s taught me how everything works on the world stage.”