TEENAGE racer Max Coates is pinning his hopes on winning backing from Yorkshire businesses as he gears up for the return of the British Touring Car package to Croft circuit this weekend.

After four wins and a total of six podiums, Coates was riding high in third place overall in the Ginetta G-50 championship after the third round at Thruxton in May.

But, despite the backing of sponsors Harron Homes, Lightwater Valley, Welcome to Yorkshire, yourracingcar.com and RGPS, the talented youngster couldn't raise the funds necessary to compete at the following round at Oulton Park in Cheshire earlier this month.

And, even though he travelled to the track in a bid to find fresh support, it wasn't enough to unlock the funding for this weekend's home race, just a few miles from his home at Scorton, near Richmond.

He said: "We have had a fantastic first three meetings of the year. To win at Brands Hatch on my debut in the Ginetta G50 was incredible - and then to go on and win all three races at Donington Park was unbelievable.

"We also had two podiums at Thruxton which was a good result and gave us a good foundation for fighting for the title.

"But finding the budget to race at this level is difficult at the best of times - and, in the recession, it's sometimes just not possible. We can still win the championship but we need to be racing at every meeting from here on in. The RedBrick Racing team have prepared a fast car for me and we're in a position to win races - and the title - if we can find the sponsorship to compete."

He added: "I really want to race at Croft, more so than any other track. Racing at your 'home' circuit is a brilliant feeling. With the local support we've had in the past, this year was set to be even better - not least with the support of yourracingcar.com which has allowed more people to get behind my racing efforts.

"I'm still training hard and preparing myself mentally in the hope we can be out racing."

The British Touring Car Championship roars off the grid in North Yorkshire this weekend. Members of Coates'supporters club (www.yourracingcar.com) are offered discounted tickets to the event with a saving of £5 for Sunday.

Anyone interested in supporting Coates can join Your Racing Car at www.joinyrc.com. Potential sponsors can contact him on 07783 725728 or e-mail max@scorton.com.