BLACKBURN'S four times World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty (left) was today celebrating a new achievement -- his first mention in the Sunday Times Rich List.

Foggy, 36, entered the chart at joint 976th place with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Both men have a reported personal fortune of more than £30million and are among 15 new entries to the list, which is billed as the definitive guide to wealth in the UK.

But today the superbike ace dismissed the listing and laughed: "It sounds marvellous but it amazes me how they get their figures. I've read all sorts of things about how much money I have, but I only wish it was true.

"I don't take anything like that seriously"

Foggy, who is married to Michaela and lives with the couple's two daughters in Mellor, made his millions riding for motorbike manufacturers Ducati. But his competitive career was dramatically ended when he crashed in the Australian round of the World Superbike Championship in 2000.

His arm was shattered in the 140mph smash.

Since then, the fans' favourite has continued to pile up his personal wealth through a best-selling autobiography and management of the Foggy Petronas Racing team.

He won the world superbike championship four times during his career with Ducati and in 2001 was voted the nation's all-time favourite motorcycle hero.

Foggy's joint place with Sir Alex follows the football manager's success in both soccer and horse racing. The Scotsman made a significant slice of his £30million from racehorse Rock of Gibraltar, recently retired to stud.

The top newcomer from the North-West is Warrington-based CCTV manufacturer Michael Newton, who goes in at 284th place with £115million.

The Rich List, published tomorrow, profiles the richest 1,000 people and families in Britain, is compiled by wealth expert Philip Beresford, a former editor of Management Today.