Seventeen year old Leon Haslam has so far followed in the footsteps of his father Ron who established himself as a top 500cc grand prix rider for over a decade. After winning the 60cc UK National Moto Cross Championship, the youngster went on to win the UK National Scooter Championship in 1997 and a year later became the youngest British rider to compete in a Grand Prix when he rode in the 125cc race at Donington Park. Last year he finished fourth in the Spanish 125cc Championship before switching to MotoGP at the start of 2000. He had a very tough first season, contesting the World 125cc Championship on an Italjet bike unable to really compete with rival machines. His only point-scoring ride came in the Catalunyan Grand Prix, where he finished tenth.