The first thing I want to say is GOOD LUCK. You are going to need ambition and drive, so the next few steps of advice will seem a little negative, but they are based on reality.

First, there are many people out there with a bit of speed and a desire to race. You have the edge because you’re a girl, but this doesn’t make it happen on its own. There are plenty of girls out there who have the desire to become bike racers too. You need an edge.

The biggest factors in the early success of a young racer are family and money. Unfortunately, this is not a sport in which a natural talent alone will take you places. You can see this overtly reflected in the Formula One and MotoGP paddocks – check out who the dads are and I think you’ll get my point. The passion of parents gives a youngster support, transport and funds.

I’m sorry, but you won’t be able to achieve your goals without money, so your hard-earned cash will be tied up for a few years. If racing is the No.1 goal for you, then the sacrifices have to be made by you. You are very unlikely to get cash sponsorship or a ride until you win a few races. Take a look at Stephanie Waddelow, a wonderfully talented teenager supported by her loving dad – she won the Superteens in 2008, a terrific achievement, but sponsored rides haven't just come knocking at her door.

If you want to race then you need to weigh up your circumstances and consider getting a cheap track/race bike. You really can start racing on the cheap and if you want to get noticed, that’s what to do – track days are simply no substitute, they are just a good way of getting used to riding on a track and figuring out if it’s what you want to do.

Let’s say you have all the above sussed. Next, if you are truly on your own with this passion then you need to find at least one dedicated person to support you – a boyfriend, a best friend, a good friend who loves racing/bikes, a family member. It is possible to do it on your own, but much harder. If you can’t do that then you need to hook up with a person who will race at in same championship as you. When Feisty Racing is active, this is the role we offer however if we’re not actively recruiting this year, a Feisty Freedom racer may be able to assist.

So, you have a bike and a licence (don’t worry, we can give you plenty of advice for this lot). Your hard earned cash will now be paying for race entries and tyres. If you get to your first race meeting and win – by god, then you have something to shout to the money men about. Even if you have a good win in your first year – as a girl it’ll be much more marketable from a sponsor’s point of view than a guy, so you can make the most of it. BUT this is rare. I do hope you have what it takes and certainly the earlier you start the better, but it’s not an easy game. Also, you need to create your own sponsorship contacts – it’s not often that they come to you – it’s not like football with scouts at major matches. Bike sponsorship is more about spare cash than anything, and with the credit crunch much is being withdrawn from a ‘nice-to-have’ like bike racing.

After these sobering words, please don’t be discouraged. If you have the drive and ability then you can do it. Also, no matter what I’ve said, if you have the gift of the gab and can put a really attractive portfolio together and sell yourself then you could get help. One of our early team members, Red, had her first season sponsored because of some road riding, and I was lucky enough to get my first race bike bought for me... But both of these were lucky – right place, right time, right person. I can’t advise you how to find this!

Your next step if you haven’t already, should be to attend a club race meeting. Check out the club calenders and find a circuit near you - the meetings are cheap and you'll be right next to the action.

I hope this helps you out! Again, good luck.