Never miss a thing from Belfast and beyond - sign up for FREE updates direct to your email inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A West Belfast motorbike racer faces being forced off the track by arsonists who torched his van containing thousands of pounds worth of equipment.

Police are investigating the attack in the Pollard Close area during the early hours of Wednesday.

A fundraising drive is under way in a bid to help replace some of the gear destroyed in the blaze, including leathers, a helmet and tyres.

MORE:

The rider’s sister said: “Last night at around midnight we were alerted by a neighbour that our van was on fire and that two men had been seen breaking the passenger window, pouring petrol in and setting it alight.

“Thankfully nobody was hurt although my 90-year-old grandmother and disabled parents were in the house at the time and are all very shaken and upset.

“My brother is a motorbike racer and needs the van to transport his bike and gear to and from racing events around the country. His leathers, helmet, motorbike tyres and toolbox were in the van and have been completely destroyed along with a lot of camping equipment.”

The woman, who did not want to be named, said she has no idea why the family was targeted.

She added: “Our family between us have worked extremely hard to get my brother to this point in his racing career and in one fell swoop it has been left in tatters with thousands of pounds worth of damage that we cannot afford to replace and unfortunately the insurance doesn’t cover any of these items.

“He has a race in Mondello Park this Sunday, a track day at Kirkistown the following Sunday and another race the weekend after that and unless we can get him leathers, helmet, tyres and transport in time he wont be able to race.”

A PSNI spokesman said: “Shortly before 12.15am it was reported that a van parked in the area was on fire. The van sustained extensive damage as a result.

"Police enquiries are continuing."

To find out more click here.

MORE: