Superteen Champ impresses at first test.

2002 Aprilia Superteen Champion Jonathan 'Jon Boy' Lee used the ACU's first Junior Practice day of the year at Cadwell Park to try out his new bike and team.

For the 2003 season, the 15-year-old Cannock schoolboy will be riding for Team UK1 Racing in the 125cc National Championship. The team has been put together by Kevin Newton, the man behind Event Maker, BSB's leading supplier of corporate hospitality, with the simple ambition of taking one of the Academy's brightest talents and giving him the perfect platform to perform.

Managing the team and working closely with Lee throughout the season will be ex-125 Grand Prix racer Clive Horton. After years of running his own racing products business, Horton is keen to take up more of a hands on role with the youngster.

"This is just what I love doing," smiled Horton, "working with a talent like Jon Boy has to be a dream come true for anyone and I feel honoured to have the chance."

To help Lee make the best use of the day, the team enlisted the help of Jon Pearson, one of the country's leading 125 racers. Pearson gave Jonathon a tow around the track, increasing his pace and showing the youngster where he could improve.

"There is no doubt in my mind that before mid season this boy will be on the podium. The progress he has made throughout the day has been remarkable!" enthused Pearson

"I have loved every moment of today...the bike is so much better than my Aprilia and I cannot wait to race it," beamed Jon Boy himself. "Learning how far I can push my slick tyres, both on the brakes and in the corners, will be the hardest bit. But I am sure that with some advice from my mentor Niall Mackenzie during the season, I will soon figure it out."

With the season now only a couple of weeks away, the team are all set for a dry run with the MRO at Snetterton this weekend. A days testing and two days racing should see Lee well on the pace for Round One of the BSB championship, at Silverstone, on 30th March.