Young racing ace gutted as speedway bike stolen
Family fear theft could destroy 12-year-old’s dream
The family of a young lad who had his speedway bike stolen by heartless thieves have been forced to launch a fundraiser to keep alive his dream of developing into a professional.
Liam Morris, 12, from Deans in Livingston, has been tipped as a young prodigy within the UK speedway scene but his route to climbing the ladder within the sport has been blocked following the theft of his racing equipment.
A fundraiser has been organised to try to raise £2000 that would allow Liam to make the step up to 250cc bikes and compete in the British Speedway Youth Championships – something his dad Keith Mabben says is vital for his development.
Keith’s van was stolen overnight on Tuesday, April 9, from Lenzie Avenue and although the van showed up a couple of days later, it was missing Liam’s important racing gear.
The dad has said that he is desperate to try to keep his son’s speedway dream alive and that he fears having to be the parent that tells their child that they cannot afford for them to pursue their goals.
“All he talks about is speedway, and how he wants it to be his future,” Keith said. “All he wants to do is become a speedway rider and compete in Grand Prixs in the sport that he loves. I don’t want to be that parent who says I cannot afford to let you live your dream. He is a really level-headed kid and has been really understanding about what has happened.
“Liam currently races a 150cc bike for the West Lothian Wildcats in Armadale and requires two bikes in order to compete. Due to the fast pace of speedway, if something goes wrong, you need another bike that you can hop onto quickly. He is looking to transition to a 250cc which would allow him to compete in the British Youth Championships. We have one 250cc in the garage but our plan was to sell off the stolen 150cc in order to raise funds for the necessary spare.
“Overall we had about £3000 to £4000 worth of equipment stolen from the van including his bike, brand new helmet, engine cooler, toolbox, sprockets, pit mats, fuel, bike covers, goggle bag and gloves. Essentially everything he needs to race. At the moment we are in a position where we may be forced to choose between racing for the
Wildcats and progressing his career. I cannot afford to be able to replace what has been stolen but now I’m worried we are stunting his development if he cannot race both.
“I’m a really laid back dad and feel I’m very honest with Liam but he has a lot of talent. He has only been riding the 250cc for two months and he is already beating guys that have been riding for two to three years. He turned to me and said he will sacrifice the 25s if it means he can keep competing as he just wants to ride. But I do not want to let the thieves win and stop him from realising his dream.
“Liam is so modest about his talent and has been described by those at his speedway club as a quiet assassin because he just comes in without any bells or whistles and does his business.
“So we are asking for any support possible to help him to continue to develop and have a shot at continuing to climb the ladder.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.45am on Wednesday, 10 April, we received a report of the theft of a van storing a speedway motorbike from a property on Lenzie Avenue, Deans, Livingston. Enquiries are continuing.”
To donate, search ‘Help to replace stolen equipment’ on Gofundme.
I cannot afford to be able to replace what has been stolen, but now I am worried we are stunting his development