NOVICE bike racer Alistair Haworth is celebrating his second major trophy after just two years in the sport.

The Leyland-based engineer has finished runner-up in Preston and District Motorycle Club's annual championship, riding a Yamaha FZR400.

Victory in the F400 and 500 Open classes continued his run of success in 2000 when Alistair won the A1 Motorcycle Club's championship in his debut season.

Run over six rounds at Wigan's Three Sisters circuit, consistency proved the key to a winning run.

"We never finished outside the top five all year and that gave us the edge over our rivals," explained Alistair, who works as a storage and processing engineer in Leyland, and lives in Blackburn.

"I've been into bikes since the age of seven and owned a road bike since I was a teenager.

"But it's only been the last couple of years that I could afford to go racing."

Alistair plans another season with Preston MCC, who have switched to the Anglesey circuit for 2002, and selected rounds of the Derby Phoenix Championship, with the aim of getting his national licence for 2003.

Sponsorship has come from Frank and Scott Windsor at Brookside Garage, Sabden; Andelle Motor Leathers in Horwich; Tritech Motorcycle Panel Repairs and Screen and Design, both Lostock Hall, Preston.