East Racing’s James East 2009 season may end as early as the fifth round of the Metzeler National Superstock 600 at Snetterton in two weeks due to a racing incident causing severe damage to his Yamaha R6, making a substantial dent to his race funding.
The family run team debuted into the championship this year after previously competing in the 125cc category.  In what was expected to be a learning year for the Royston rider, he has already given the front runners something to worry about. 
Throughout each of the rounds East has successfully adapted and progressed with the 600cc with which he qualified on the front row at Thruxton.  East said: “I barely did any testing because of the late class change, but we have come on leaps and bounds, making big improvements with each ride.”
“We put it fourth on the front row at Thruxton, after only the sixth time I'd ridden the bike, it felt like the first time I really clicked with the R6 and I am confident now I can run the pace and win. I'm really enjoying the 600 and the Championship.”
Since the first round at Brands Hatch where East finished in the top 15, race day hasn’t gone favorably. At Oulton Park, East impressed all after working his way up to eighth place from 19th on the grid until he was hit by another rider.  After bending his clutch lever the rider continued to turn in front of him, folding his front wheel forcing him to sit up and go straight on, undoing all his hard work.
He was on track for obtaining more championship points at Donington and especially Thruxton, but unfortunately he suffered two DNFS.  It’s the latest incident that has put his season in doubt, whilst battling for fourth place his challenger low sided, taking East with him. 
This was a huge disappointment for all after starting from the first row and an undeserved outcome for a race where at one point he was running in third.  To add further insult to injury, the repair cost is now what may cut short what was set to be a promising season.
The decision to jump machinery wasn’t made until December 2008 due to the lack of rides with any competitive teams in the 125cc class.  In addition to this, awareness that Superbike and Supersport team managers, where East wants to be, look for talent in the Superstock categories rather than the two strokes also aided the decision.
East first got on two wheels at the age of four and over the next couple of years took part in numerous mini-moto events in which he finished third in his first ever national event, took several podiums and a National championship along the way.
2005 saw him leap to road racing on a 72cc, taking part in further club events, a year later he started a three year stint on a 125cc picking up The Bill Ivy Trophy as he went. 2007 he finished second in the ACU Dunlop Tyres Motostar 125 GP Academy Cup Championship before finishing joint tenth in the Relentless British 125GP last year.

Now battling to keep his championship alive the 19 year old is more determined than ever, East said: “We have found some cash to get to Snetterton for round five.  I will not be able to compete in the rest of the season without sponsorship support.  It would be devastating to me if I was forced to quit because I'm confident I have the pace to win, I just need the financial backing to make it a definite. Fingers Crossed.”

For more information on James East or to discuss possible sponsorship log onto www.jameseastracing.com.