A motorbike racer sponsored by a Blackburn-based firm achieved his dream and won one of the sport’s most prestigious races.

Haydock Finance supports professional biker Harley Rushton through its employee charity scheme, which allowed him to compete at the Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix Classic TT at the end of August.

Harley went on to win the 2 Wheeling Classic Junior Manx Grand Prix on his first attempt.

On August 23 he raced the world-famous Mountain Course which measures almost 38 miles in length around the Irish Sea island.

A well-known face within the motorcycling community, the win in the Isle of Man follows a number of other wins he has picked up in classic races, plus a host of other podium finishes in national races.

Harley, from Ingleton in North Yorkshire, said: "I am so grateful to Haydock Finance for their generous support through the charity scheme.

“I am delighted to have joined a small prestigious group of riders who have won at the Manx Grand Prix races, an event over a century old.

“To add to this, I have joined an even smaller group of competitors who have won at their first attempt as newcomers.” 

Harley Rushton was already well known in the motorcycling community after numerous winsHarley Rushton was already well known in the motorcycling community after numerous wins (Image: Greenhalgh PR)

The annual race sees thousands flock to the Isle of Man to see bikes fly past at high speed along the public roads on the island.

While the official TT takes place in May and June, the Manx Classic features classic bikes and still attracts some of the world’s best road racers.

Lea Lawrence, marketing manager at Haydock Finance, added: “It has been fantastic to support Harley and see him achieve this incredible result which has been his childhood dream.

“It is also great that to see how our employee charity scheme can provide a little extra help to talented individuals like Harley. We think he has a tremendous motorcycling career ahead.”