Champion motorcycle racer Dave Heal is considering quitting the sport.

Heal, the reigning British Superbikes privateer champion and a former British Supersport 600 title winner, is frustrated that he cannot make a serious challenge on his latest venture.

The Heathfield-based rider is competing in the British Superstock Championship this year, a competition which runs along the Superbike Series, but he has been struggling since sponsors pulled out midway through the season.

At Brands Hatch last Sunday Heal finished a disappointing 16th, a position he is not used to.

However, when you consider he had no mechanic, no back-up and is now funding the whole venture himself, it puts the result into a different perspective. The only help he got was a sponsorship deal for tyres, which saw Heal use a tyre make which is not compatible with the set-up of his bike.

The 35-year-old said: "I am thinking about finishing it. I am working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which at this level you just can't do.

"It is a competitive world in the British championship. At this level you need the backing, the money and the equipment. It is a different world to club racing. I have some tough decisions to make.

"People on the sidelines don't understand the problems I have got. I am riding as well as ever but what I am sitting on is just not capable of doing what I want it to do.

"I am knackered going into races. When you are trying to be the best in Britain you have to be on top form.

"I am still 12th in the championship and people say to me, '12th in Britain is not to be sniffed at'.

"But I am not interested in that. I have had 18 years of this, I am a professional and it is my living. I am not out there to make up numbers. I want to be up there doing the best I can.

"I am contemplating quitting because in this quarter of the county you just can't seem to get any interest at all in terms of help.

"I am a reigning British champion at the moment but what have I got off the back of that? It is a dilemma. How long do you spend chasing that elusive company or product who can see the rewards this championship and television coverage which goes with it can offer?"

Heal must decide on his future ahead of the next round at Mallory Park next weekend.