Stuart Easton has received the perfect morale boost in his recovery from injury, with Paul Bird Motorsport offering him a deal to race for them in 2012.
The MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider had made an impressive start to his 2011 campaign in the British Superbike Championship, with three podium finishes putting him third in the Championship, just six points off the lead.
But his season was brought to a premature end following a high-speed accident at last week's North West 200, which left him with pelvic, leg and hand as well as some internal injuries. Easton was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and he is expected to remain there for some time.
Long term friend and sponsor Paul Bird, whose World Superbike Championship factory Kawasaki team this year has been supporting Easton's BSB campaign on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki ZX-10R, and after visiting him in hospital on Friday, Bird has pledged to back Easton in 2012, whichever Championship he chooses to compete in.
“Stuart was well on course to be one of the main contenders in the British Superbike Championship this year and at the time of his accident was lying in third place just six points off the lead so it’s a cruel blow that this has happened”, Bird commented.
It’s going to be a long and painful road ahead for him and the last thing he needs to be worrying about is whether or not he’s got a ride so we will provide him with a competitive bike for next season in whichever championship both Stuart and the team decide upon and feel he’ll be most competitive in. We are all devastated at what has happened but the first thing is to get Stuart fit again and back on a bike as soon as possible. We are working on bringing a brand new sponsor in too so hopefully we can announce that in due course.”
The Kawasaki Racing team, run by Paul Bird Motorsport, will continue their World Superbike campaign at the Miller Motorsports Park in Salt Lake City this weekend while Alex Lowes will deputise for Easton on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki at Thruxton in the British Superbike Championship.