3:34pm Wednesday 23rd September 2009
By Tom Reynolds,Sportsbeat JAMES Ellison’s team boss Colin Wright is desperate to retain the Cumbrian’s services next year but ahead of round 11 at Silverstone admits he is fighting a losing battle.
Ellison is in the box seat to secure the MCE Insurance British Superbike runners-up spot holding a 32-point lead with two rounds, and five races, remaining.
Pit lane rumblings have linked Ellison, and teammate and champion-elect Leon Camier, to a move to the World Superbike paddock next season.
And with present employers GSE Racing without a title sponsor for next season - their current deal with Airwaves expires at the end of the season - boss Wright is facing up to life without the Kendal ace.
“It is an unfortunate situation we are in at the minute but if we don’t get a title sponsor sorted in the next two months then we will not be running a team next year,” said Wright.
“If we had a sponsor and I was looking to recruit for next year then I would definitely want James in our team.
“But with the situation as it is I have to accept that he is going to be talking to other teams. There is no doubt in my mind that James has the ability to race in the World Superbike paddock.
“Leon Haslam rode with us for a few years and has gone on to do better things in the World Superbikes and I’m sure James could do well.”
Heading to round 11 in Northamptonshire Ellison holds a 32-point lead over Hydrex Honda’s Stuart Easton with team-mate Leon Camier 99.5 points clear at the top.
Barring a miracle Camier will seal the title and steal the headlines at Silverstone but boss Wright insists ‘Mr Consistent’ Ellison would be a worthy runner up.
“James has been outstanding from our point of view,” said Wright. “He has finished every race this year and I think that is what is really important.
“Consistency is the key to a championship as long as ours and James has shown that this year and his primary goal is to finish second and hopefully he can do that.”
* British Eurosport 2 has live coverage from every round of the 2009 British Superbike Championship. See the action on Sky channel 411 or Virgin Media channel 525. Next race at Silverstone on Sunday, September 27 and for updates head to uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/trade_directory/