Wilson chasing glory on three fronts

The 16-year-old Larne Grammar pupil rode his 250 F Kawasaki four-stroke to second place in both the MCCNI Ulster Championship and the Risk Racing Championship with a third place in the GR7 Championship.

The Kawasaki was new to him after spending most of his career on KTM two-stroke machinery. So, did the change of manufacturer help his racing?

“It was certainly a big difference but riding the four-stroke for the first time was brilliant - a lot better than the two-stroke I rode previously. In the eight-round championships I was rarely outside the top three. Although I am still waiting on my first championship I was happy with my performances throughout the season.”

When he moves up to the adult class next season he will be one of the youngest competitors in the class. Does he feel he will be at a disadvantage because of his age?

“No, not really,” he replied. “I am looking forward to the challenge. In fact, I reckon in my first season a top 10 would be a realistic target.” Most teenagers in this day and age would be content to compete in one sport but not Aaron. He plays rugby for Larne Grammar’s 1st XV and represents Northern Ireland’s Under-18 pool team.

On the rugby front he plays left-wing for his school side. “The season is going well so far and we are training four days a week at the minute for the Schools’ Cup,” he said.

Then there’s pool. How did he get involved in that?

“My brother Colin moved to Larne and asked me to join Q-Club with him. I must have been reasonably good as they asked me to join the team and I play for them now in the Larne League every Thursday night,” he replied.

How does he fit all these sports into his week?

“I am very rarely at home but I enjoy all the different sports equally,” he smiled.

With his very busy lifestyle it was no surprise when he explained the day he went to the Northern Ireland pool trials in Omagh in August. “It was just another day for me,” he said. “I had two races at Tandragee in the morning to wrap up second in the championship then we drove to Omagh later in the day for the trials. It was a long day but it was worth it as I got selected for the Northern Ireland Under-18 team.”

Aaron’s first International pool tournament was the Nations’ Cup, a three-day event in Coleraine earlier this month.

“Personally, I won 12 or 13 out of my 20 games but overall as a team we didn’t really do that well which was disappointing.”

Aaron hopes to play in the individual Masters at the Stormont Hotel in January and then in April for Northern Ireland in the European Championships in Bridlington.

It looks like 2015 will be just as busy as 2014 for the Ballynure lad as he chases sporting glory on three fronts.