An 11-year-old boy has taken his passion for speedway racing to another level after being chosen as a mascot for the adult elite and national league teams.

Danny Curl from Raveningham has been competing in speedway and grasstrack racing for two years, taking his pursuit up and down the country.

He has already won several trophies and is part of the Young Lions, the British Youth Championships for speedway, with eight rounds to look forward to this season.

Now he will represent Kings Lynn Speedway at the national and elite league meetings by doing a few laps on his own bike before the races begin.

Danny’s family have been involved with racing for around 17 years, with his dad Bob winning several British titles for quad racing and his older brother Mitchell, 15, racing speedway bikes until an accident stopped him in his tracks.

Danny said: “My brother Mitchell had a fall and he broke both his arms. I always used to help him, but I wasn’t really interested myself until one day I went into dad’s shed when I was nine and had a go on a KX 65 bike.

“I really liked it so I tried the KTM 100 grasstrack, which I have been riding ever since. I always liked the sport and helping out my brother but I didn’t think I would be any good. Dad and Mitchell have both really helped me.” Since then Danny has gained a further two bikes and spends every weekend taking part in youth championship competitions.

He said: “I’d quite like to do less grasstrack this year and more speedway, With grasstrack you can go a long way but you can’t become anything. With speedway you can get into the national and elite leagues and go up into GP.” Danny is being trained by former international speedway rider Richard Hellsen who started his career in the early 1970s and has many medals under his belt.

His mum Tammy said: “I’m super proud of him, I couldn’t do it. Sometimes when he puts on his crash helmet he doesn’t take it off all day because he’s so focused on what he’s doing.

“Being a mascot is a really good opportunity for Danny as he will be riding alongside champions and elite riders of speedway with 500cc engines. He will be riding his own bike for a couple of laps before they do their race and then he will do a couple of laps at the end on both Wednesday and Thursday evenings for the national and elite leagues.

“Bob puts so much effort and time into helping him, he’s the proudest dad without a doubt. Danny’s something quite special, I hope he continues for a number of years.”

Danny gave thanks to Brett Day, who sprays his bike guards, Danger UK for his bike covers and pit mat, Uncle Buck’s Motorcycles in Beccles, sponsors AMSS Limited, Speedway Services in Kings Lynn and Mr Hellsen.