Motorcycle Racer Kath Sanderson heads for Japan

SHEFFIELD motorcycle racer Kath Sanderson is hanging up her leathers for 12 months in the land of the rising sun - as she starts the third year of a degree in Japanese.

Kath, aged 21, from Meadowhead, has been combining studies at Sheffield University with race meetings across the UK.

But now her racing career is on hold after six years in the saddle - although she is planning to return to the track next August.

"I wanted to study in Japan because it has so many differences and similarities to the UK," she said.

"It's also interesting to learn a language completely different from English, rather than a language like French or Italian."

Kath has been racing this year on an Aprilia RS250 for Team Feisty Racing - the only all-girl road race team in the country.

Now based at Okayama, Kath hopes that in between her studies she will be able to find time to ride on the world famous Suzuka race circuit. The Moriwaki race team has also invited Kath to attend its Japanese Superbike Championship races next year .

Kath said her racing career had made steady progress, although a bigger budget allowing for more practice time will be needed to lead to bigger improvements in her lap times.

"It's an expensive sport to take on and each rider involved around the world relies upon enthusiastic product and financial support to make their dreams come true," she said.

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