Moving on to National's (1999 - 2001)

After an excellent season in 1998 at club level, Phil felt that 1999 was the right time to go and do a national championship. With an amazing list of top riders competing in the Aprilia RS250 Challenge, the decision was made to go and do battle in that championship as it was sure to be the most affordable.
Phil had actually already competed in a national championship race in 1997 (after only having competed in a handful of races), when he was offered a ride in the National Sound of Singles final championship round at Silverstone. Despite a field of European front-runners including Alan Cathcart, Steve Ruth, Gary Cotterell, and Adrian Stringer to name just a few, Phil qualified sixth. The race went just as well, despite overheating the single front disc and cooking his intermediates he pulled off an excellent last lap to nick sixth off Adrian Stringer and finish the leading Rotax.

1999
"Battling against riders like Matt Llewellyn, Dave Jefferies, Martin Johnson, Pete Graves, Phil Giles, and Francis Williamson was excellent and a massive benefit towards my racing in 1999". Fastest Lap and an amazing ride through the pack at Rd1, was then backed up, by leading at Mondello Park, before slipping off in difficult conditions mid-race. Fourth at Thruxton and another fastest lap and a fifth at Donington finished off an extremely valuable year.

2000
Phil's first British Superbike podium came at Donington and the 4th round when he finished 2nd to Ian Lougher in a race long battle. That followed a 4th at Snetterton at Rd3.

Once again, the year provided some great racing with riders like Ross McCulloch, Ian Lougher, Mark Heckles, Andy Whittley and Kieran Murphy all battling for the podium. Despite never qualifying off the front two rows, machine problems robbed Phil of more podiums and with a 'tired' machine, resulted in Phil missing a number of the remaining meetings.

2001
Once again it was the Aprilia RS250 Challenge for Phil. Financial constraints, meant a switch to another class was out of the question. However, with the majority of the bike renewed, Phil was ready for the full season. After an excellent start to the year, it proved a little tougher mid-season with more machine problems. With battling performances, Phil was in with a chance of 2nd in the championship come the final few rounds. "All year the fierce battles myself, Andy Whittley, Marshall Neill and Daniel Tarratt had, were great fun to be involved in". With the bike up to speed, Phil pulled off an excellent run of form, at the end of the year to win the final two rounds, with a pole position thrown in. In fact, at the final round at Brands it was a test of 'bottle' when anyone of three (Phil, Marshall Neill or Daniel Tarratt) was all fighting for that runner-up position in the championship. "I was so pleased to reward everyone involved, to win the final two rounds was a big weight off my back. Especially to win that final round and probably the hardest fought race of the season".

The Aprilia championship was a vital ingredient to developing Phil's riding and ability to get the best from his bike. The experience of racing at British Superbike meetings, with riders who have won British Superbike races, has helped Phil to gain crucial experience at national level.