Scott Redding #45 -Year 2005

Concentration on the race ahead before the start of  a “Calypso Cup” race on his Metrakit 80 in 2005.     He won all six rounds of the series against the best young European riders.    He  was still only 12.

The Calypso 80 Cup Series

& taking on the GP125 bikes in the UK

While it is FAB-Racing 's intention for riders from the 50cc class to move to the 70cc bike before moving to the 17 inch wheeled MiniGP-XL80, a machine capable of over 100mph, it was decided that for the 2005 season, as Scott had ridden the open class 50cc bike he should fast track straight to the 80.   In Spain in 2004 Metrakit had organised a series of races the, "Copa Caja Madrid", for junior riders aged from 12 to 16 years running "out of the crate" MiniGP-XL80 machines.

All the races were run at major circuits in Spain including two GP circuits.  For 2005 the series was to run again with sponsorship from Calypso watches and renamed, for obvious reasons, the "Copa Calypso".   It was obvious that Scott had the ability to ride successfully at these meetings and it was arranged for him to ride. The series was entered by paying an "all in" subsidised fee, that included the bike, leathers, gloves, boots, and entry fee, of £4200.

With riders from throughout Europe being eligible to ride, it was to be a good comparator for him against other very talented riders.   In addition to this he rode at  UK meetings, mainly with the New Era Club, in the GP125cc class, but still on his 80.   His riding in Spain UK proved to be little short of phenomenal.   All the six round series were dominated by the Flying Scott, much to the consternation of the other riders; one or two of whom were sponsored by Spanish GP teams.   With the leading bikes being stripped at the end of each race there could be no rule bending so these six wins, plus three lap records, had to be down to sheer riding ability.

In the UK against the much more powerful GP125 machines (any Aprilia 125s in the same race have not even been in the picture) on circuits such as Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Cadwell Park, & Mallory Park his riding has been equally impressive with finishes as high as fourth, though this was in the wet.    At one Brands meeting he turned in a lap at 54.76 seconds; not bad for an 80.  In the two races that were purely for 80cc machines, both at Mallory Park, Scott was just in a class of his own, making all except Martin Glossop, also on a Metrakit 80 and finished second, look slow.

Where to next? These impressive results led to a flurry of interest from various quarters, obviously including Metrakit themselves whose future plans include entry into 125 GPs.  To help co-ordinate all of this interest FAB-Racing was appointed to manage Scott.  Certainly 2006 was going to be an interesting year for young Scott.    How did a twelve year old come to be, so early in his competitive life, in such demand?   It has to be remembered that this would not be the case without significant adult help. 

In Scott's case help has been from a number of indispensable people.  His Dad Adrian, and Uncle Daryl have worked on the bikes and reached deep into their pockets from race day one with the minimotos.   Significant help has also been given by Paul Bird, the maestro behind Monster Mob / Stobbart Mob, with both advice and finance. Without the dedication of all of these people Scott could well have remained an undiscovered talent.