Former Supersport champion Jason Pridmore is excited about the potential Antoine Richards and Keanu Wilson have after seeing them in action at his school in California.

Bermudian's Antoine Richards and Keanu Wilson were recently put through their paces at a school managed by AMA Supersport and Formula Extreme champion Jason Pridmore in California.

The school, which encompassed all the facets of racing from technique to the knowledge of the bike itself, was a stepping stone for the two riders who had to dish out the money for such an experience out of their own pockets.

Richards, who has been racing for two years, rides Aprillia Super Moto bike, along with 600 cc bikes.

He recorded a maiden top ten finish on the WERA National circuit in Faulkville, Georgia, two weeks ago, finishing eighth in the Formula Two Aprilia Supermotto Class to launch the 2009 campaign with new team AB-1 Motorsports.

The 22 year-old is the second Bermudian behind Jevaughn (Squirrell) Simons to race for AB-1 Motorsports, which is owned by Aaron Brown who was a member of late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt's team.

The experience was invaluable for the two youngsters with a limited ceiling on their potential in the sport on the Island

"The experience was great, the amount of track time and hands on stuff was superb," said Richards.

"In three days we ran 350 miles, but it wasn't just about riding.

"In the morning we would get the bikes sorted out and then a classroom session with theory, and then go back to the track and apply what we learned to the track.

"I started riding at Southside track, and then went to Florida in 2008 and trying get out more for races this year.

"I ride for AB-1 Motorsports, and they are getting me to ride in races this year, and along with my manager the guys are awesome.

"Right now we are trying to do five races and then towards the end of the year get a few more, but for now I want to get as much knowledge under my belt.

"I'm funding myself and it isn't easy to get back and forth.

"I have a few things that I am trying to line up but nothing concrete.

"My next race is in Miller SportsPark in Utah, and that's going to be for the Festival of Speed."

Pridmore, chief instructor of the school is the 1997 AMA 750 Supersport Champion, 2002 AMA Formula Extreme Champion, and the 2003 FIM World Endurance Champion.

He is also the only American to ever stand on the podium of a World Supersport race and has 21 AMA National wins and countless podiums.

Seeing a chance to help those who have the same hunger and appetite to succeed in the sport as he did is something that the former champion is prepared to do as long they are dedicated to the sport.

Seeing the two Bermudian riders first hand, Pridmore sees a bit of himself in both youngsters, while admitting that young Wilson will have to be guided in the right direction given what has happened to him in the past 12 months.

"We take people of all different levels, whether they are beginners or advanced riders, the only thing we ask if that the person be committed to the sports," said.

"People like Antoine want to push the envelope a little bit more and can get into the swing of things quite quickly are the ones I love getting involved with.

"It is always refreshing when someone young comes in and wants help in getting better.

"I see a little bit of myself in Antoine and Keanu.

"We all have had our ways of growing up.

"I did a lot of schools with my father and had the opportunity to do what I wanted to do. For me when I see someone who wants to learn and making the commitment like the boys did, makes me want to help them. The major thing for someone like Antoine and Keanu coming out of Bermuda is that there are so many tracks in the US as opposed to the smaller one you have there, and on the grand scheme of things they will need to be able to compete on bigger tracks.

"The fundamentals are there but you need to get the speed of the race track down.

"He has the potential to be a great rider, but I also want him to be efficient on the bike.

"If I can keep him consistent and safe on the bike then he should be ok.

"I got to know Keanu at Thunderhill, and saw his potential. There are still things we can work on with him as in most young kids getting into the sport, but there is potential.

"You can't put pressure on them, they have to be able to have fun and that's what I saw of him.

"After knowing what he has gone through with his brother in the past year, I just wanted to make sure he was ok.

"And not putting pressure on him was the main thing because sometimes you don't know if this is what someone wants to do until the actually get out there and do it.

"But he has massive potential and I can't wait to get both of them back out here.

If we can fine tune the little kinks he has, I won't have any problem helping him as I am with Antoine."