Rising motorcycle star Lee Jackson is facing a race against time to secure the funding he needs to continue his career.

The 16-year-old from Skellingthorpe intends to graduate from the British 125GP series to the National Superstock 600 Championship, but a funding shortfall is threatening to crush his hopes of competing in 2012.

Lee and his family are grateful to a number of individuals and businesses who have pledged financial support and are hopeful of securing a ride.

However, with running costs for an entire season's racing at around the £20,000, more help is needed.

"It looks like we're going to do Superstock 600," said mum Sam. "It's okay having the bike, but there's tyre costs and things like that.

"With him new to the class, he needs as many tyres as possible to give him every chance.

"We probably need £20,000 to get through the season."

Sam believes Lee has missed out on potential sponsorship due to the misguided perception that the family does not require financial support to go racing.

Supported by their father Eric, Lee's dad Gary and uncle, also called Lee, enjoyed successful racing careers in the 1990s and 2000s.

"We've had at least two instances where we've lost out because people think, because he's a Jackson, he doesn't need any help," added Sam.

"It's wrong. Yes, when Gary and Lee were racing they did get Eric, my father in law, to support them.

"Eric had a pine furniture business. He's still a great help, but he's retired now and the money's not there like it was.

"But Lee's our son. I don't work full-time and Gary is only a ground worker and has us to support.

"It's wrong that he gets penalised because his name is Jackson while others get things because they have a certain name.

"It's very difficult and I'm even selling my car to put some money back in."

It has been frustrating time for Lee, who has maintained his winter training programme despite the uncertainty surrounding his racing future.

"I've been training as I normally would do so it's annoying that I don't know if I'm going to be riding," he said.

The current malaise has allowed his rivals in the Superstock 600 class to get a head start.

"Teams like CN Racing, with Andy Reid and Danny Buchan, have been in Spain testing," added Sam.

"We haven't even got a bike. If we can get out for the first few rounds and see what happens, we'll be happy.

"He might struggle to qualify for the first race at Brands Indy because they'll be such a big field and it's not his favourite track.

"But we're ready for that because he's new to class.

"After that he's got Thruxton and Oulton Park, two tracks he goes well at."

The family had pondered running again in the 125 Championship, where he has enjoyed great success over the last two seasons, but Sam says there would be little to gain from that.

"We did think of running a few rounds on the 125, but what's the point?," she said.

"It's not worth him riding one of them now because he's grown.

"We'd be wasting our money, you might as well save the money for a 600."

Lee added: "I'd like to thank FJG Logistics, Totally Dynamic for wrapping the van, B & Express, Seamus Lawless, Mark Johnson, David Newell of Newell Plumbing, my nan and grandad and mum and dad."