Barrow 12-Year-Old Takes On International Racers In Spanish Motorcycle Championship
A 12-year-old Barrow racer is competing on the international stage after making the step up to a Spanish motorcycle racing championship.
Travis Shaw, a pupil at Furness Academy, is taking part in the MIR Racing Aspar Cup on a MIR Promo3 race bike. The competition represents a significant change from the UK MiniGP kart circuits where he previously developed his racing experience.
The young rider has had to adapt quickly to a substantially larger motorcycle. He has moved from machines fitted with 12-inch wheels to a bike using 17-inch wheels, bringing differences in size, power, handling and speed that have required him to adjust his riding style.
Adding to the challenge, Travis only received his new motorcycle two days before the opening round of the championship. This left him with very limited opportunity to train on the machine before immediately competing against an experienced international field.
Three rounds into the championship, his family says that progress is already becoming evident. Each race outing has provided further experience as Travis continues to become more comfortable with the Promo3 motorcycle and the demands of full-size Grand Prix circuits.
His best result so far has been a 14th-place finish. The result has provided encouragement during a season that is primarily focused on learning and gaining experience rather than concentrating solely on finishing positions.
Travis is also the youngest rider competing in his class, which is open to racers aged between 12 and 16. Racing against competitors with different levels of experience adds another dimension to his development during his first season in the championship.
The field is highly international, with 41 riders representing 14 different nationalities. Competitors include riders from countries such as China and the United States, giving Travis the opportunity to race alongside young competitors from a wide range of backgrounds.
The move to Spain represents another stage in a racing journey that began on smaller motorcycles and junior circuits. His progression has now taken him towards a more demanding level of competition and larger venues used for Grand Prix style racing.
For Travis, adapting to the larger motorcycle has been an important part of the season. Learning how the machine responds at higher speeds and on bigger circuits is providing experience that cannot be gained from smaller junior racing environments alone.
His father Daniel said that the progress made across the opening three rounds has been encouraging. He explained that each outing has helped Travis become more confident with the size, power and speed of the motorcycle.
Daniel also stressed that results are only one part of the season. The main purpose of the campaign is to help Travis learn, gain experience and adapt to the significantly different level of motorcycle racing presented by the Spanish championship.
The family is now preparing for the fourth round of the competition, which will take place at the Circuito de Jerez next month. The circuit is another major venue where Travis will have the opportunity to continue developing his experience against the international field.
Competing internationally also brings practical challenges away from the circuit. The family has to manage overseas travel, transport equipment and motorcycles, while Travis continues to balance racing commitments with his education at Furness Academy.
Daniel said the family was grateful for the support provided by the school and local companies helping to make the international racing programme possible. That backing has allowed Travis to take part in a demanding season while continuing his education alongside his sporting commitments.
The upcoming round at Jerez will provide another opportunity for the young Barrow rider to build experience on a full-size Grand Prix track. His campaign will continue to focus on development as he adjusts to international competition and works towards further progress on the Promo3 machine.
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