The 14-year-old will join the best eight-litre racers in the world when the 125cc world championship season starts in Japan in April.

Presteigne-born Davies, 15 next month, has been allowed to miss school in order to line up on the grid at Suzuka and also contest the other 15 rounds of the championship between April and November.

But Davies will have plenty to learn because he will take homework to races with him and will be on a rapid upward curve as far as finding about GP racing goes.

He has already set up an intensive programme in order to educate himself in the layout of the world's race tracks.

Davies has been busy studying the circuits on his computer games console and has also been studying video tapes of races from last season.

"I've seen the world championship riders on television, and they are very fast. But they also ride very competitive bikes," Davies told www.motograndprix.com.

Davies heads into his debut world championship season on the back of two wins in last year's 125cc British championship and the experience of racing several rounds of the Spanish championship.

"I've been to the Aprilia factory in Italy to see the new bike, which was great.

"Most of the tracks will be new to me, including the first one at Suzuka in Japan. But at least I know which way to go, because it's on my PlayStation."

School work

Davies, who will be accompanied to races by his parents, joins Czech rider Jaroslav Hules on the Matteoni team.

"School have been really good and they were so pleased that I'm going world championship racing," added Davies.

"I hope to do some school work on the long flights, but there will be no time once I'm at the races.

"I'm not really nervous and I'm looking forward to riding a competitive bike.

"My friends are really pleased for me and they will all be coming to the British Grand Prix at Donington Park in July."