BABY of the team Daniel King got Ipswich Evening Star Witches' vital week off to a perfect start when he won the British Under-18 Championship at Wolverhampton last night.

By Elvin King

BABY of the team Daniel King got Ipswich Evening Star Witches' vital week off to a perfect start when he won the British Under-18 Championship at Wolverhampton last night.

His only serious opposition came from James Wright, who rides for Workington in the Premier League and Buxton in the Conference.

Eighteen-year-old King passed Wright on the line in a decisive heat 16 and wrapped up the title with his fifth victory two races later.

Witches' rider-manager Chris Louis today hailed King's achievement and predicted a big future for the youngster.

Louis, a former world number three, said: “This win endorses Daniel's decision to take the plunge and ride full time in the Elite League.

“He has been in the thick of the action since day one this season, but I know that he would have liked to have won more races.

“Daniel has learned a great deal, and this win will boost his confidence - and there is no doubt in my mind that he has a big future in the sport.”

Tomorrow night King lines up for the Witches in their Elite League Knock-Out Cup final first leg at Poole. The return is at Foxhall Stadium the following night.

The only other Elite League rider in last night's field, Eastbourne's Edward Kennett, was third on 12 points.