East Racing’s James East celebrated his 20th birthday recently whilst successfully recovering from his high side crash at the Scottish circuit of Knockhill earlier in the season which caused three main and four sister fractures in his Tibia.
The Royston rider has since had a titanium rod inserted into leg which runs from just below his knee to his ankle and is held in place by two screws, but this has not stopped him being a regular in the paddock just on two crutches instead of two wheels.
Talking about his recovery he said: “It’s going great so far, all on schedule and the mobility of my leg is way above average at this stage in terms of my bending etc. I’m visiting the Chris Jones Riders Fund Physio’s at each round, Sam and the guys have sorted me out with exercises and have also done work on the leg such as working the swelling out and such things to help me out which I am grateful for.”
“It’s just a case of going for x-rays every few weeks and at the races to check out the state of the fractures.  Once the bone has knitted back together that’s when things will move a lot quicker as I will be able to put weight through the leg as at the minute there is just a bit of grey matter around the breaks indicating the bone has started to heal.”
East moved up into the 600cc this year from the two stroke 125cc category and has been running much better than he ever expected.  However with his rapid success caused him to fall back into his old way of thinking which has since taught him some harsh lessons.
East said: “I was pushing for poles and wins, when realistically I should have been focusing on consistent top ten finishes which I know I could have realistically achieved and this would have been outstanding in my first year on a four stroke.  It can be argued that the luck hasn't been with me this year with being taken out on three separate occasions, but it can also be argued that my ‘Hot Headedness’ put me in these situations on occasion, but not all of the time.”
“I've had a lot of time to think, and I have spoken to the right people at the top of their game in the sport, I've realised my mistakes and readjusted my objectives for when I am back on the bike. I know I have the pace, and if you read into my times this can be proved with.  I want to achieve consistent finishes, and work on reading into what the motorcycle is doing.”
“Understanding the machine, adjusting myself and the bike accordingly will pull in the results.  I still have an unrelenting desire to win, but I know that this will not be possible unless I work on these areas.  I am focused on achieving this consistancy, because if I do, I know ultimately the prize will be victories, and possibly a title, which means everything to me.”
East is as excited and determined as ever and can’t wait to return to training once given the all clear.  Depending on progress he may be able to return to track at Oulton Park for the seasons finale, but it is still early days and also it is to be decided if it would be more suitable to just do some testing ready for next year.
East said: “I heard a good analogy after Mallory Park from Leon Camier where he stated ‘I shall be the fastest when I can and the smartest when I'm not’ and I believe this sums up what my aspirations are for 2010.”
“Thank you to everyone who has believed in me, and is still believing and supporting me, including Simon and Karen Sherras, my Mechanic Stef Pollard, my Sister and my Mum, but most of all My Dad, because without him, I would never of got to this point. I promise I will push 100% to give you all something to cheer about in 2010.”