Barry Veneman faces something of a baptism of fire this year as he starts his first season of Grand Prix racing in the elite 500cc class. The friendly Dutch starÂs career has been built largely in Supersport and Superstock competitions, with the majority of his success coming in the former discipline. He began his career in 1994 competing in the national Supersport 400 class, and became Dutch champion the following year. He then went on to compete in national and European Supersport 600 but, after a promising first year in which he finished 6th, technical problems prevented him from obtaining any titles. The 23-year-old was back on a Supersport 600 in 2000, making the podium in each race, as well as competing in European Superstock where he maintained a top ten position throughout the season. Veneman will race alongside Australian Marcus Payten in the Dee Cee Racing Team.