Sports Minister El James yesterday dismissed recent claims made by Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club (BMRC) member Paul DeCouto who has accused Government of ignoring repeated requests for sponsorship to back some of the Island's elite motorcycle racers.

"We have been asking the Government for sponsorship funds for a while now without success," the 600cc expert racer told The Royal Gazette earlier this week. "The Government has to take us seriously."

But in response to DeCouto's claims, Minister James revealed in the House of Assembly that promising motorcycle racer Toriano Wilson had already been the beneficiary of $6,000 of taxpayer's money that was handed to the 14-year-old rider to compete in Florida last year.

Wilson is currently competing on the Red Bull AMA Rookie Cup circuit in the US, often digging into his own pockets to cover his own travel expenses.

Addressing members of Parliament, James said: "In July 2007 the rider's father (Dennis Wilson) presented a sponsorship letter to the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation seeking financial assistance.

"After reviewing the document and meeting with the father the department provided a grant of $6,000.00 which was to be used to assist with his son's participation in the Metrokit 125 (cc) Future Champ Cup in Florida. This venture was supported because this event would assist in his development."

James added: "To ensure that his father could travel with his son the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation asked the management of the father's employer (BTC) for the time off to travel with his son.

"After much discussion, I am pleased to inform this Honourable House that he was granted leave with pay."

James further revealed that in November of last year Wilson's father had asked his Ministry to fork up $35,400 to help off-set costs for his son to compete in the US this year where he continues to turn heads - a request that was eventually denied as the BMRC is not recognised by Government as a national body.

"The department decided they could not support the request. Instead, the father was encouraged to present his proposal to the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club so that they could include it when making their annual grant application," he said.

James also explained why independent sporting associations such as the BMRC do not receive substantial funding from Government coffers.

"To clarify any misunderstandings the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation provides grants to national sports governing bodies, provided they apply," he said. "Presently the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club, Bermuda Karting Association and Bermuda Motorcross Club recieve individual funding. They have been encouraged to form a national body so that they can be recognised by Government and improve their chances of recieving greater funding.

"In recent discussions with the president (David Jones) and vice -president (Cyril Whitter) of the BMRC they were appraised of the support that was provided to this family. They were also encouraged to apply for funding through the National Junior Sponsorship Program, a fund that is specifically geared to assist in the development of young athletes.

"However, it was also made clear that applications for funding under this programme have to be submitted by national sports governing bodies. And this is yet another reason for the motor sport clubs to come together to form a national governing body."

In an effort to raise funds for rising star Wilson, BMRC have scheduled a 'Dash for Cash' tomorrow at Clearwater Raceway with organisors urging the public to contribute to what DeCouto described as a worthy cause.

"We will be holding a fund raiser to help Toriano with travel and accomodation when he goes to the US," he said. "And any additional money we raise will go towards helping other BMRC members."