Academy star Sykes gets world stage wild-card.

Seventeen-year old British Supersport racer Tom Sykes will get the chance of a lifetime this weekend, when he lines up with the world's top racers at the WSBK meeting at Brands Hatch.

Sykes, who was awarded the Octagon Motorsports Trophy for the 'most promising Academy rider' in 2002, will arrive at Brands Hatch in good heart on the back of his second place at Mondello Park in the British Supersport Championships last weekend.

"This is a dream come true for me," he grinned on hearing the news, "The team is up for it and I am certain that I can put on a good show for them and the sponsors."

Sykes' results so far this season in the British Supersport Championships have been very impressive, often qualifying and finishing as the highest placed privateer racer behind former champions like Stuart Easton and Karl Harris. He has also regularly finished in front of his fellow Academy graduate, and former racing nemesis, Craig Jones, on the fully factory supported Triumph.

Academy manager Dave Luscombe is equally excited by the opportunity that has been given to his rider.

"Tom has always been in a class of his own and this may be the making of the boy," he said, "I have always been certain that he was special and this weekend I may be proved right."

With people like Simon Buckmaster from Honda already watching him closely, the future could be very bright for the young Academy star.