JAMES Shanes has rounded off a fantastic year by capturing one of the country’s most prestigious motorsport awards.

Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club named Puddletown long and grasstrack ace Shanes as their winner of the Pinhard Trophy for 2015.

The giant three-gallon cup, presented since 1950, goes to the best under-21 motorcyclist competing under the jurisdiction of the ACU (Auto-Cycle Union) or SACU (Scottish Auto Cycle Union).

Shanes has been well placed in the Pinhard standings for the last three years and his continued improvement and consistency in 2015 gave him the edge over runner-up Luke Harris.

On hearing of his success, the reigning British Masters grasstrack champion said: “I am delighted to have won the Pinhard Trophy.

“I have had the most amazing year and this really is the icing on the cake – thank you Sunbeam MCC.”

Shanes will be presented with the trophy at the ACU awards dinner on Sunday, January 24.

Previous winners of the accolade over the last 60 years include Mike Hailwood, Jeff Smith, Bill Martin, Roy Peplow, Dan Shorey, Scott Ellis, Alexz Wigg and a host of others who have gone on to be national and international household names.

Last year’s winner was long tracker Zach Wajtknecht.

Sunbeam MCC awards the trophy in memory of Frederick William Pinhard who died in 1948 while serving as secretary of the club.

Judges were editors of leading motorcycle periodicals, the general secretary of the ACU and three officials appointed by Sunbeam MCC.

Shanes goes into 2016 on the back of an excellent 12 months which featured two British titles, an FIM Gold Medal as part of the team that brought the Don Godden Trophy back to the UK for the first time, an FIME Silver Medal, plus a host of top results on the domestic scene.

The judges were particularly impressed by Shanes’ commitment at grassroots level, setting up and dismantling tracks for racing, and attending promotional events.

Meanwhile, Shanes is looking for sponsors who can help him compete on the continent and at World Championship level regularly this year.

To date his racing has been largely funded by his family but now he requires extra assistance to make the next step up the motorsport ladder.

“I am passionate about my racing and prepared to work hard to achieve my goals,” he added.

“I have improved year on year and invested in my equipment in order to keep it at its best but I simply do not have sufficient funds to level the playing field against the top riders.

“I am already on a par with the UK’s top riders and believe the best is yet to come.”

You can contact him on (01305) 849522 or via jonsam.shanes@tesco.net if you are able to help.