CIRENCESTER motor cycle ace Josh Day has been given a lifeline to mount a serious challenge in the 2013 Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship – after two years in the wilderness, writes Danny Hall.

Day, 24, was virtually unstoppable on the local racing circuit, winning the North Gloucestershire Road Racing series in a canter during 2009.

He maintained his meteoric rise in the sport the following year, winning the national Metzeler 600 Superstock Championship after a season-long tussle with Luke Stapleton, whom he beat by just one point (155-154), and third-placed Danny Buchan.

But Day’s bid to chase higher prizes in motor cycling over the last two years has been derailed by bad choices – and plain bad luck.

The team he signed up to ride for in the BSB Evo Championship of 2011 went bust after just five rounds and some promising rides in the last few races for a rival outfit came to nought.

Then his first tilt at the National Superstock 1000 Championships last season ended in acrimony, with the first-choice group of riders axed, including Day, before the team eventually pulled out of the sport.

Dayo Racing had been prepared to mount their own crack at this year’s Superstock 1000 series, but the Cirencester racer has instead signed for the Be Wiser Kawasaki team and he will ride their 2013 Kawasaki ZX-10R machine throughout the season.

“We were going to do our own thing but it was always going to be a struggle financially,” said Day, who still has his nine-to-five job as a paint sprayer.

“Now we have some backing from a well-established team that I have known for years. I have confidence in them as they have in me. It is an offer I could not turn down.

“I will still have my own two mechanics as well as the backing of my family, while John Leach, a close friend of the family, will be looking after my sponsorship.

“I am tremendously excited about the campaign because I think I will be riding the best bike in the competition with the opportunity to do some proper testing before the first round at Brands Hatch in April.

“I want to race consistently in the top ten and, hopefully, towards the end of the season, I will be in a position to go for the championship.

“I’ve now got every opportunity to be up there where I used to be. I am only 24 and I still have an ambition to race in the World Superbikess one day.”

Motor cycling remains a very expensive sport and Josh will again host his annual fund-raising party at Cirencester Town FC on Saturday, starting at 7pm when he will unveil the new bike. There will be a disco, raffle and buffet. Kids go free and adult tickets are available on the door at £10.

“As many people who have been to our fund-raising events before will tell you this is a great opportunity for people to get involved and be part of the team for this season, while enjoying a great night out,” said Josh.

Individuals or local companies who would like to back Josh can contact him on 07976 046431.