Young Gorleston motorcycle racer Jamie King is desperate to find sponsors to keep him on the track winning trophies.The 17-year-old trainee mechanic has spent the past year juggling two part-time jobs with a college course, spending every penny he's earned on his passion.

Young Gorleston motorcycle racer Jamie King is desperate to find sponsors to keep him on the track winning trophies.

The 17-year-old trainee mechanic has spent the past year juggling two part-time jobs with a college course, spending every penny he's earned on his passion.

So far he's won 15 trophies - including second place in the Big C Mini Twins at Snetterton and notching up fourth and fifth places at Cadwell Park Race Circuit, Lincolnshire.

But the crippling cost of getting to the top of his sport is forcing him to miss races. He fears spiralling costs will prevent him reaching his full potential.

Entry fees for races are £200, without the £90 practice fee, and the prices of tyres, gear, maintenance of his Suzuki 650 bike and getting to and from the meets at Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Snetterton and big tracks across the country are making him drop some meets.

His parents, who have funded him since he started riding mini motos at eight, are also footing the bill for his 12-year-old brother, Oriel High School pupil Charlie, who has started racing, and the family finances won't stretch.

The Great Yarmouth College student, who has just started an apprenticeship as a mechanic, has written more than 50 letters to national and local companies asking for sponsorship enclosing a portfolio of his achievements.

But only a few companies have bothered to reply, all declining to sponsor him.

Jamie, whose ambition is to race British super bikes, is desperate to fly the flag for Great Yarmouth in national competitions.

Friends he has met on the national circuit have managed to find companies to support them.

“It makes such a big difference. My friend Jack, who lives in Romford, has his helmet sponsored. Just being given helmets really helps.”

Jamie, described by his college tutor Jim Sutton as self-motivated, hard-working and mature, worked flat out on part-time jobs when he was not at college but still needs the extra financial help.

Jamie, who is dyslexic, left Oriel High School with little confidence in his reading, writing and number skills and worked tirelessly on his Vocational Access course at college with specialist help, Mr Sutton said,

He found his own apprenticeship with Swifts Taxis after work experience and holiday jobs there and his self-esteem and self-belief has grown as his literacy and numeracy skills have improved.

Jamie, who lives with his family at Brasenose Avenue, Gorleston, has been working at McDonalds and at Swifts to bringing extra money to fund his racing.

If any company is interested in sponsoring Jamie, he can be contacted on 01493 650873.