A BASILDON biker is continuing his remarkable rise in the sport as he bids to make an impression in the 2017 No Limits Cup 600 Championship race series.

Having won the title in his first full season of racing last year, 40-year-old Rob Cresswell - known locally as ‘OddJobRob’ for his handyman business - has upped the stakes this year.

In round one at Brands Hatch, Cresswell finished race one in 22nd, 12th in race two and 9th in race three.

And he is targeting another title tilt this year, with the next race at Silverstone next weekend.

Cresswell said: “It was better than I expected. It was my first time on the bike and I was pleased with the results.

“A lot of the other guys have their own teams and I am very much a one-man band, I like to be the underdog.

“Despite that, I would like to be in the run-in for the Championship. I set high targets and I met them in my rookie season. I won the Championship having been 175 points behind at one stage.

“But I am confident.”

Cresswell only started racing competitively at the start of the 2015 season, after obtaining an Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) license, and took to the track on a 1998 Kawasaki zx6r 600cc bike - one of the oldest bikes on show.

But, from the back of the grid, Cresswell left the opposition in his wake as he stormed through to win and set the fastest lap.

In 2016, Cresswell won 15 of his 25 races in the Pre Injection Championship, securing 23 podium finishes and winning the Championship in the final round.

And the veteran is enjoying racing against younger opponents.

“The average age of the riders is probably half my age,” he laughed. “But I am enjoying every minute so far.”

To win prizes, such as tickets and memorabilia, or sponsor Cresswell, call 07940 511 307.