Less than a year after he began learning the ins and outs of motorcycle racing, Jake Hayes is ready to try and catch adult racers.

If only the 45-pound speedster's tiny hands could reach the brake and clutch levers of a larger bike.

At nine years old, Hayes took the motorcycle community by storm in August when he rode his 70 cc Suzuki to victory at the Canadian Motorcycle Association Nationals mini road race in Chilliwack.

In his first real race, Hayes beat the previously undefeated youth champion by more than 30 seconds and wowed both the crowd and his coach, Scott Borthwick.

"I was literally blown away," said Borthwick.

The August race wasn't even supposed to happen.