A DJ's "boyhood dream" has come true after he was selected to play at the Speedway Grand Prix next year.

Karl 'Karlito' West lives at Old Sarum and will be touring Europe with the FIM Speedway Grand Prix in 2023 after falling in love with the sport thanks to his late Grandad.

The 32-year-old started his career in Salisbury's Chapel nightclub when he was just 17, but carried on playing four nights a week as a resident DJ for 15 years.

Now he has played at every major city in the UK, as well as sponsored sets in Ibiza.

His latest success came after he wowed crowds at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff for the sixth round of the speedway.

Describing how it felt to play for a crowd of more than 50,000 as "incredible", Karl added: "This was world level and nothing short of an honour.

"The main difference to playing in a nightclub is the sound delay. I had to make sure everything was right."

Salisbury Journal: Behind the decks at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.Behind the decks at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. (Image: Karl West)

Karl said he is "setting the benchmark" for the sound of British Speedway as a DJ for the Poole Pirates team after getting hooked on the sport thanks to his Grandad Lester Gould.

Lester was a grass-track rider, mechanic, and stunt marshall involved with the Ace of Aces event at Winterbourne Gunner.

After Lester's death in 2001, Karl wanted to have a passion for the sport like his Grandad did.

He's now proud to be "bearing the torch" for his family as he carries on that passion through DJing at the biggest speedway event on the planet.

"My Grandad was desperate for me to get into it but the day I wanted to get on a bike he wasn’t there anymore," added Karl.

Salisbury Journal: Karl West on one his Grandad Lester Gould's motorbikes.Karl West on one his Grandad Lester Gould's motorbikes. (Image: Karl West)

When Karl was 13 years old he would build soundtracks to fantasy speedway events and imagine the riders' walk-out songs.

Twenty years on, Karl said: "It's a boyhood dream come true.

"There are big boots to fill but I'm ready for it. I have proven I can do it in Cardiff."

Mum Tracy Gould is "so proud" of her son. She said: "When [Karl] told me he got the gig in Cardiff I just cried, my Dad would have been so proud of him.

"He is an inspiration to any young people out there who want to fulfill their dreams."

The Salisbury-based DJ will form the soundtrack of next year's season of speedway in Croatia, Poland (four times), Czek Republic, Germany, Sweden, Latvia, Wales, and Denmark.