By Alan Richardson

A PERTH biking star is gearing up for the biggest race of his life at the British Grand Prix this weekend.

Robbie Stewart has been awarded a “wild-card” entry for the event at Donnington Park by bosses at the FIM, the international organisation which governs the world motorcycle racing championships.

The talented teenager races for the Buckinghamshire-based Keen Race Preparation team and has been rewarded for his excellent performances so far this year at the British 125cc championship and the Spanish championship by being given the opportunity to test himself against the best riders in the world.

Robbie (15) said yesterday, “It’s going to be tough but it should be a great weekend. It’ll be exciting just to be out there with the top stars I watch every week on the television and my aim is to learn, improve my times and see where that takes me.”

Robbie will be joined by fellow wild-card entrant, Nikki Coates, also from the Keen team.

Team boss Mark Keen is realistic about the task that lies ahead. He said, “We’re up against the best teams in the world with the best riders on the best bikes in the world and I know from experience how difficult it’s going to be.

“The aim for the weekend will be for the boys to learn from the experience and up their game.”

Robbie is no stranger to Donington Park where he won his first British championship race in 2006 but he added, “Although I won there in the wet I haven’t actually got much experience of the place. But it flows nicely with ups and downs and I really like riding there.

“We’ve got an idea from racing in the Spanish championship how tough it’s going to be but I’m sure we’ll be helping each other all we can to have the best weekend possible.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and we’ll be making the most of it.”