Biker brothers revved up after race victories

Published on Thursday 15 October 2009 09:50

THE closest most brothers get to racing each other on motorbikes is on their PlayStation or at the local arcade.

But for Dalkeith siblings Cameron and Stuart, storming round a track at high speeds is a weekly reality.

The pair can now consider themselves among the best motorcycle road racers in the UK, having scooped first-place finishes in Scottish championships at Knockhill last weekend in their respective categories.

Their father, Dougie Wilson, who puts almost all his spare time and cash into promoting the boys' talents, said there was no limit for their potential.

"They will go as far as the money can take them," said the 40-year-old mechanic.

"They've already raced across Britain, hopefully that can lead to European and even worldwide events.

"It's a long journey to the top, but they're both capable of making it."

Cameron, 16, and his 12-year-old brother had always admired their father's motorbike – even though it was used for transport rather than racing – and when he took them to a racing event four years ago they were hooked for life.

"They just loved it," he said. "We've not really looked back from there.

"The hardest thing is the cost, we've spent so much of our savings on going to events.

"Every penny counts and we do have a couple of sponsors, but when you consider the cost of equipment, tyres and entry fees you can be looking at up to 2,000 for a weekend.

"But I absolutely believe in them, and hope they can go right to the top.

"People ask me if I ever fancy racing and I tell them that I get all the satisfaction from watching the boys go round."

Mr Wilson and the boys' mother Tracy, 38, a personnel manager for Tesco, spend much of their own time persuading business and prospective donors to invest in the youngsters.

Mrs Wilson added that the Dalkeith High pupils have aspirations of being as successful as legendary racer Valentino Rossi.

Cameron told the Evening News: "When we first went to see it we just loved what we saw.

"It's all about the funding really, once you get that in you can really go on.

"Racing takes up my whole life – when I'm out there I feel like I'm on another planet."

One thing that does irk Cameron is when others say it is not a demanding sport.

He said: "You need stamina to hold on to a powerful bike for that long, you really have to be fit to do it properly."

The age gulf between them means the elder brother hands out advice happily to the younger, and there's not yet a fierce rivalry.

"I'd like to beat him one day," added Stuart.

"Maybe when we're older, but this is still my first year racing on the circuit and Cameron gives me loads of advice, and if I'm ever stuck at anything I can just ask him and he helps.

"When I first got on a bike I never wanted to get off and it's still the same now – I could never have too much of it."