Amateur rider Anthony Warren will be on the grid shortly for his first full season of competitive racing thanks to employer, Sherwood Truck and Van.

The commercial vehicle group is sponsoring the 32-year-old as he gears up for the start of the Formula 600 competition.

He will be riding his 165mph, 600cc Yamaha YZF R6 at Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Club, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire, in a series of seven monthly meetings starting on Monday April 25.

Vehicle technician Anthony, of Riddings, Derbyshire, has been with Sherwood Truck and Van at its headquarters in Blackwell, near Alfreton, for seven years and is hoping to scoop the Newcomer’s Cup.

He has wanted to follow in the tyre tracks of his hero Barry Sheene, since he first got on a motorbike at the age of eight. Coincidently, Barry Sheene used to race a Sherwood truck, when truck racing was popular.

“It’s a hobby, rather than a potential career, but I’d like to take it as far as I can. I’m very excited about the coming season,” said Anthony.

“I love the thrill of the competition and I love the atmosphere on race days and meeting new people in the paddock.

“Over the past three or four years I’ve had to buy a lot of equipment – a larger van, the bike itself, leathers, tyre warmers. And I’m still saving for a caravan. Any sponsorship is great and Sherwood Truck and Van’s help with the entry fees is really appreciated.”

Sherwood Truck and Van regional director Helen Waterfall, said: “It’s a pleasure to support Anthony. Taking part in motor sports is never cheap but he has shown real commitment.

“We hope he does really well and wish him every success as he follows his dream.”

Sherwood is a leading supplier of new and used commercial vehicles, established in 1978. The company also maintains, services and repairs commercial vehicles across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and most of Cheshire.

Sherwood Truck and Van, which recently became part of the Guest Motors Group of Companies, has operations in Lenton, Nottingham, Highfield Lane, Sheffield, and Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, along with its main site at Blackwell, near Alfreton in Derbyshire.

Sherwood Truck and Van www.sherwoodtruckandvan.com

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk