Anthony West scores points on 500cc debut.

Australian teenager Ant West made an encouraging 500cc World Championship debut today, with a points-scoring performance in the South African Grand Prix.

The 19-year-old scored two championship points for finishing a credible 14th on the Dee Cee Jeans Racing Honda V-Twin, in the 29-lap race around the 4.2km Welkom circuit.

West rode the machine for the first time in the opening practice session last Friday, and in the race he finished ahead of works V4 machines raced by Briton Chris Walker (Shell Advance Honda), and Olivier Jacque (Gauloises Yamaha).

"It wasn't too bad, though I had a few troubles at the beginning," said West. "I'd caught and passed a few guys, then I got caught up in one of the corners and the engine dropped out of the rev range and sort of died, like it was too 'rich'. I've just found out now what happens with these V-Twins when the revs go too low. I lost some places again then.

"The rest of the race was okay. I just need more time to get used to the 500, and also to get a bit stronger. I've been riding Motocross, but you use different muscles for road racing and I feel a little weak."

West rode in the 250cc world championship in the past two years, and finished sixth in the series in 2000 with best results of fourth at Assen in the Netherlands, and at Estoril in Portugal.