SIX feet tall Mick Spencer is riding high - after racing around the country 18 inches off the ground!

He is trailing in the slipstream of another Ducati rider - World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty - because his machine is just 39cc.

Mick, of Oakdale, Blackburn, finished runner-up in the British Minibike Racing Club Championships after taking up the sport two years ago.

He rode a bike in the heavyweight category at the British Championships in Wiltshire against 50 other competitors from all over the country.

His partner Nicky Ward, 31, is secretary of the British Minibike Racing Club. She said: "This is Mick's best national placing, and he picked up another trophy to add to the nine he's already won this year."

"It does look funny when you first see fully grown men racing round on 18 inch minibikes, but it can get really serious when they're on the starting grid."

Mick and Nicky found out about minibikes in a bike magazine, and things just went from there. Their seven-year-old daughter Jade learning motor cross. Mick, 32, is a lorry driver for Kenley Warehousing and Distribution Ltd, Hilton Street, Darwen. He has three Ducati minibikes, which reach speeds of up to 70mph.

He has been competing at the British Minibike Racing Club Championships for a year, and competes in two or three races a month.

Nicky explained that minibikes started in Japan as a novelty and Fogarty replicas are available. She said: "The power to weight ratio on minibikes makes them just as exciting to watch, and because they are so small everybody watching can see everything. Most people who get into minibike racing start off riding big bikes, then realise minibikes are a cheaper option."

She added: "If anybody wants to sponsor races, we would be keen to hear from businesses or individuals who want to donate money, spares, tools, or just time."

Minibikes will race at the Rossendale Valley Motorbike Show on Sunday.

For more details about minibikes contact Mick or Nicky on 01254 671119. (evenings and weekends)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.