West fans auction kidneys for sponsorship!

Two Anthony West fans are going to extreme lengths to secure sponsorship for their favourite rider - by trying to auction a kidney each on ebay!

"Anthony West, Australian motorcycle racer, needs sponsorship to secure a ride on a competitive bike, but it seems big business isn't coming to the party, so we are doing what we can to help, auctioning our kidneys!" reads the ebay 'item description'.

"These are 2 beautiful kidneys, rarely used and in perfect working order. One is currently stored inside a healthy 30 year old male body and the other in a 32 year old male. Both have been well cared for and will be sorely missed.

"We are trying to raise $650,000 AUD and therefore each kidney will have a reserve of $100,000.

"This is a serious offer to serious bidders only, please checkout the website Kidneys4West.com for more information."

The website adds that: "Every year average riders with loads of dollars get the factory rides and Ant is left out in the cold. Without a full factory ride it isn't possible to win the World title, yet this man keeps the dream alive through determination and dedication. Ant is one of the greatest Australian sportsmen to ride a bike and he needs us to support him now.

"Two years ago Ant needed $2,000,000 to secure a factory bike, this year he only needs $400,000. We are not in a financial position to help, unlike many Australian companies, and so we are auctioning our kidneys to try and raise the money."

The auction is due to open on Wednesday 19th May. However, the donors admit that ebay is likely to remove the auction once it becomes aware of it - and so are asking for direct email bids - but also have a back-up plan for those that want to help Ant, but require no internal organs:

"If you do not require a new kidney, or just can't afford one, but want to help Ant, please contact us, we are pursuing all avenues and looking at every suggestion."

After controversially splitting with the factory KTM 250 team at the end of a partial 2005 season, in which he took a brilliant second place finish on the new machine's debut at a wet Donington Park, West is now riding a privateer Aprilia for the Kiefer Bos Racing team.

The 24-year-old Australian - who has raced in 125, 250 and 500cc grands prix and won the 2003 250cc Dutch TT - has been forced to retire from both races so far this season.