Heathfield's Dave Heal climbed out of his hospital bed to become British champion at Donnington Park last Sunday.

The 34-year-old Sussex ace won the Privateer Crown in the British Super Bike Championship following a fabulous second half of the season.

Heal, who had been 100 points adrift in the race for the title at the half way stage of the season, said: "It is fantastic. It has been a tough year and we did not make it easy by changing bikes midway through the season.

"But it has all been worth it. It is a wonderful feeling. I am British champion again, although it hasn't really sunk in yet."

Success was not plain sailing for Heal, a former British Supersport 600 champion.

He went into the final round of the championship with a narrow lead over rival Gordon Blackley, with long time series leader John Crockford not far behind.

His chances took a turn for the worst following Friday's practice session.

The Myco Motorsport rider suffered a 140 mph crash after losing control on some oil which had been spilt on the track.

Heal said: "It completely wrote the bike off and beat me up pretty badly too.

"I was black and blue and there was nothing left of the bike.

"I was taken away in an ambulance but an hour later I was back up on my feet again and raring to go."

Heal's Kawasaki bike was rebuilt overnight but he only qualified 25th overall, and ninth privateer, his worst qualifying performance of the season.

It did not bode well for the first race on Sunday which saw Heal go on to finish sixth.

Crockford won the race and Blackley finished second, closing the gap on Heal to just seven points.

In race two Heal knew he could finish no more than one position down on Blackley if he wanted to win the title.

Heal explained: "John Crockford was nowhere, but Blackley took off in the lead and I just gritted my teeth and chased him home for the rest of the race.

"He won the race and I finished second to give me the Championship by just two points. It was brilliant."

Seven victories in the second half of the season, having changed from a Honda to a Kawasaki, ultimately proved crucial for Heal.

Winning the privateer title could also lead to Heal being offered one of the plum spots riding for the factory teams, such as Team Kawasaki.

If that was to happen it would put Heal at the top of his profession.

As it is, the new British privateer champion is not far off now.