MOTORBIKE racer Ben Heaton is targeting a big 2018 after breaking the track record three times in one day at Wigan's Three Sisters venue.

The Bolton rider took four seconds in total off the perimeter circuit record – two in a qualifying race before going another second quicker in each of the two main races later in the day.

Competing in the Classic up to 250cc class he stormed to victory in both races, finishing 30 seconds clear of the field in each one, clocking 50.040secs in the first then 49.772.

Heaton, who was representing Preston and District Motorcycle Racing Club at the event, said he felt something special was possible from the moment he woke up.

He said: "I told my wife, Chloe, 'I'm having it today, the race is mine and I'm going to smash the lap record'.

"The bike felt mega. I've not raced there for over 13 months on my little Honda, but I felt right at home.

"Qualifying is only a 10-minute session. After it the time sheets came back and showed I had qualified first in class and beat the existing lap record by nearly two whole seconds, which was crazy when, to be honest, I was concentrating more on setting the bike up in the session.

"Then in the first race the bigger, faster, more powerful bikes raced up the hill past me into the first corner.

"I picked them off on the first two corners and on the fourth corner I took four riders on one chicane.

"The bike was bucking and spinning, laying down some black lines and sparks, but I managed to wrestle it to a healthy win in our class by a big stretch.

"Buzzing and smiling, I went back to family, friends and supporters who informed me I'd beaten the lap record by another second.

"Then in the second race I had some fantastic battles with more powerful machines and pressed on to win our class, smashing the lap record again by another second."

Chloe, who is also Ben's manager, said: “After finishing 2017 on top, we will be pushing harder than ever through the winter for our big 2018 push."

Ben, who says he races on a shoestring budget compared to others, has an ultimate ambition to compete at the Isle of Man TT races.

He would welcome any help with funding or sponsorship and more information is available by visiting www.facebook.com/nevereverlift