Bike racing champion Richard Freshwater is considering quitting the sport.

The 26-year-old from Peacehaven claims he may be forced to due to lack of interest in his achievements. Freshwater won the BEMSEE club's Powerbike series last year and also impressed in his outings in the MRO Championship.

As a result of this success, he has been offered the chance to race in a new national championship which forms part of the British Superbike Series.

The Sussex ace has been accepted into the BSB Ducati Monster S4 Challenge - a unique series where entrants pay one fee of £17,600 for the season, turn up and pick a set of keys out of a hat.

The problem for Freshwater is a lack of funding.

Freshwater said: "The entry fee might sound a lot but last year we spent slightly more than that, probably about £20,000.

"The series is part of the British Superbike day. You get up to 30,000 going along to watch it live and four million people watching it on BBC and Eurosport.

"If I can't get some sponsorship I can't afford to pay for it. This is a great chance and, I'm telling you, I intend to win it. The problem is the money and if I can't get some help I will have to pack up racing this year."

Freshwater is not the only Sussex racer needing help.

Edward Biggs, from Sayers Common, finished second in BEMSEE'S Rookie 400 series last year and team-mate Luke Palmer, from Plumpton, was third.

Sayers and Palmer form Team SLR and they plan to step up to the MRO Powerbike class. However, they are also desperate for help.

Palmer said: "At the moment we haven't got anything substantial in terms of sponsorship. The first practice is three weeks away and the first race is only a month away and we still haven't got the bikes. It is paramount we get some help.

"I really want to progress as far as I can in this sport and I would like to go professional. Any company that wants to sponsor us would get their name on the bikes which would be seen on Eurosport and Sky Sports, so it is good coverage."