Whilst trying to win the very prestigious John Birkett trophy at Cadwell Park, Pete had a "big off". He had just become the first person to lap the club circuit under 1 minute 5 seconds. Luckily Pete walked away , but the bike didn't!!

1997 saw the purchase of Japanese Champion Takaishi's TZ 250 G , and Pete broke his lap record at Cadwell first time out! He also won the Pegasus 400 championship and was 2^nd in the John Birkett trophy, he won the Ken Walker trophy at Donnington Park. At the Manx he finished 18^th in the Junior (1^st250) but broke down in the Lightweight race.

1998 finally won the John Birkett trophy and had his 1^st national win at Oliver's Mount. At the Manx it was 17^th in the Junior (1^st 250) and 5^th in the Lightweight.

For 1999 Pete (or was it Zoe?) purchased a RS250 Honda, and despite a bad start to the season Pete eventually got used to the different characteristics of the Honda and became the North East 250 Centre champion.
The Manx Grand Prix that year saw Pete finish 13^th overall in the reduced 2 lap Junior,again maintaining his 1^st 250 record. Setting off at number 2 with eventual winner Richard ' Milky' Quayle , Pete managed his 1^st podium finish in 2^nd place!! lapping at 112.6mph.