A new approach to racing is paying dividends for 21-year-old Craig Kelly.

The Sompting bike racer suffered head injuries in a bad crash at Brands Hatch early in his debut season last year.

The accident ruled him out for a lot of last season, so much so that Kelly is still able to compete in this year's BEMSEE Rookie 400 series for the more inexperienced riders.

Now the Sussex youngster is getting his confidence back and beginning to record some good results.

He got a third place earlier in the season and he notched a best of fifth from four races in the latest round of the championship back at Brands recently despite not feeling well.

Kelly said: "I was riding with a virus. I was feeling rough, weak and aching all over.

"I started 12th on the grid for the first race on Saturday and finished eighth so I was happy with that.

"I then started eighth and finished fifth which was my best result of the weekend.

"On Sunday it didn't go so well. I didn't get a good start in the first race and finished ninth.

"In the second race, my tyres had gone. I had grip problems, went off the track at one stage and finished 11th."

Kelly, a graphic designer, switched to bike racing after trying his hand at speedway.

When he was 15, Kelly was with the Eastbourne Eaglets at their training school at Arlington.

He had no doubts about the change of direction and now he is beginning to enjoy himself again.

He said: "Results are improving. I am riding differently now. Before my crash I used to be more aggressive and a lot more erratic.

"I have slowed everything down, I am using more brakes differently and changing gear differently. Everything is now smoother and I am getting quicker."

Kelly is not thinking about winning trophies. He just wants to progress and learn as much as he can along the way.

He said: "At the beginning of the year I got a third place. I do some martial arts and unfortunately I cracked a bone in my arm doing that which meant I missed a round at Lydden Hill.

"That ruined my championship chances. I probably won't do all the rounds now.

"I will miss the next one at Cadwell Park which is quite a trek. If I can't win the championship it is a lot of expense to go all that way. My next round will be on the Grand Prix circuit at Brands on June 28-29."

Kelly, who is still trying to attract sponsorship, is refusing to set targets.

He said: "I just want to ride as fast as I can. That is the way I approach it now.

"Previously things used to affect me before a race.

"I used to think of everyone else's advantages. Now I think I can win. I am more focused. My bike is not as quick as about six of the others out there so I am trying to do something about that.

"I am believing in myself now and I am already looking towards doing the Supersport 400 next year."