A MOTORCYCLE ace badly injured in horrific racing collision has said he fears for the future of his team unless he can raise the money to get his bike back on track.

A MOTORCYCLE ace badly injured in horrific racing collision has said he fears for the future of his team unless he can raise the money to get his bike back on track.

Colchester rider Phil Seton suffered multiple injuries and was knocked unconscious after smashing into a tyre wall at more than 120mph in the British Supersport Cup earlier this month.

The 29-year-old's season for the privately entered Team Buff/ Shark Kawasaki has been put on hold while he recovers from a broken jaw, ribs, collarbone and wrist.

A bruised and battered Mr Seton immediately declared he wanted to be racing again before the season is finished but was faced with a repair bill of more than £15,000 to get the bike on the track.

For the big works teams, who can spend more than a million pounds a season, that amount is a drop in the ocean - but the costs could be too much for the small Essex set-up.

In the weeks following the accident generous sponsors have clubbed together to help but the team is still £3,000 short of reaching its target.

For Mr Seton the lay-off has been particularly painful as he has watched his fellow rider go on to record the team's best ever result, beating other works competitors at Alton Park.

He said: "The team is riding on the crest of a wave - in round four we beat nine works riders, including the Kawasaki team, which was the best-ever result.

"I wanted to be out there so much, but it was mixed emotions really as I was ecstatic for the result, but gutted that I could not be out there."

The cast on Mr Seton's wrist is set to be removed later this month but he fears muscle wastage could affect his ability to operate the throttle.

He said: "People have asked me if I will be giving up, but I cannot see why anyone would think I would do that - that has just never entered my head.

"Not being out there is not an option - I have to be out there as we have a title sponsor for the first time in six years and we have to compete in 10 rounds during the season.

"All the sponsors have come together but we are still a few thousand pounds short - it is really important to get back out, especially with the team going so well, but I cannot financially ruin myself."

Mr Seton was injured on lap 15 of a 20-lap race in the second round of the cup at Thruxton in Hampshire.

n More information about Team Buff / Shark Kawasaki can be found at www.shark-kawasaki.co.uk.