Dave Lodge went halfway round the world to discover what he really wanted to do.

It was while travelling that the Crawley telephone engineer decided he would like to have a real crack at motorbike racing.

Now Lodge has no regrets about putting time and money into his passion as he challenges for honours in the BEMSEE club Supertwins class for a second successive year.

Last year Lodge finished third in the championship and, although he is only sixth in the current series, he is having plenty of fun.

Lodge, 34, said: "I have always been into bikes since I wad a kid.

"I used to do motocross and enduro until about six or seven years ago.

"I then went travelling for a year and while I was away I decided to do a full season of racing. Until then I had dabbled in it.

"I went to Australia, New Zealand and Asia and it gives you that 'live for the day' thought."

Lodge first entered the Supertwins when it was an open class in 2001.

He said: "I came seventh in the end. It was really good but I was outpowered basically. In 2002 I was third in the championship. This year I am not doing so well.

"I want another top three finish. I am still doing personal best lap times but everyone else is going quicker. It is so much more competitive.

"I had a crash at Brands Hatch at the beginning of the year and that put me back a bit.

"I am doing the BEMSEE Nationwide series and we are now sharing weekends with the MRO guys which you are up against some really good people who are getting practice for their MRO races."

Lodge is supported on race days by his wife Tracie and he has help in the form of sponsorship from Armstrong Auto Services in Crawley Down.

Lodge does not see himself progressing to the higher level of the sport but plans to race on for a while yet.

He said: "To compete at MRO level on a twin you need a big budget. I don't know what I will do next year but I guess I will do Supertwins again.

"It is a great class. Most of the guys racing in it are not that young and therefore are not ultra competitive.

"There is great camaraderie and everyone is in it for fun. Some people call it the 'gentleman's class'.

"I love racing. It makes you feel alive. My wife is into it as well, which is important to me."

Lodge finds himself up against another Sussex racer in the Supertwins class. Haywards Heath's Steve Bullimore is currently leading the series by 82 points after finishing second and third in the last round at Brands Hatch. Lodge finished seventh and eighth in the same races.

Lodge said: "Steve is riding out of his skin at the moment. He is having a great year."

The next round of the championship is on August 30-31 at Snetterton and the final two rounds of the series are at Brands on the Indy circuit (September 20-21) and back at Snetterton on October 11.

Lodge is currently 15 points adrift of Don Plane in fifth place and also has fourth placed man Eddie Allingham, who is 30 points clear, in his sights.