Leon Hunt has stepped up to the international stage just weeks after pulling out of a British championship.

The 18-year-old Brighton racer has linked up with the Somerset-based Beowulf Racing team to contest the European Superstock 600 Championship, which is a support race to the World Superbike series.

Hunt finished 22nd in races in Holland and Germany and will now contest the final two rounds of the series with a view to making a full-scale assault on the championship next year.

It is a complete turnaround for Hunt, whose season appeared to have come to a premature end when he withdrew from the Virgin Yamaha R6 Cup, which is a series for the cream of young British racers.

He was one of the frontrunners in the championship until a series of mechanical letdowns led to his sponsors suggesting that he look for another arena in which to shine.

An approach to Beowulf team manager Andy Stone resulted in a frantic round of last-minute negotiations and suddenly Hunt found himself on the international stage up against some of the most promising young riders in the world.

He made his bow at Assen in Holland, getting an excellent start from 29th on the grid and making up seven places on the opening lap.

Hunt was in the top 20 by the midway stage but was still getting used to the handling characteristics of his new R6 Yamaha which he was riding for the first time and ended up slipping back a couple of places to 22nd.

That race was on September 3 and last weekend he was at the Eurospeedway circuit in Lausitz, Germany, enjoying a Battle of the Brits' duel with series regular Chris Northover, from Tonbridge.

After another good start, Hunt was on the tail of Northover's Suzuki for much of the race but towards the end the pace of world-series competition took its toll, forcing him to fall back slightly to finish 22nd again.

Although he was disappointed not to have finished higher up the field, Hunt was realistic about what he could have achieved.

He said: "The pace of the racing I've done before is nothing compared to this.

"The other riders who pulled out of the R6 Cup all had something to do but I pulled out not knowing what was next for me.

"I had an offer to ride a Triumph at British Supersport which I was not keen on that.

"Then we got talking to Andy Stone (Beowulf manager) at the World Superbikes at Brands Hatch and he has been really helpful.

"The bikes I am up against are in a different league.

"They are fully factory supported bikes. I was having to get used to new tyres, new suspension, a new bike and new circuits. So I think they were happy with my results."

Stone, a veteran of the international race scene, said: "Riding a new bike, up against factory-backed competition and on the world stage for the first time - what more could you honestly expect?

"Leon has gone faster in every practice and qualifying session, he listens to advice and his attitude is first-class.

He will be finishing in the top 20 soon enough, I can assure you."

Hunt will contest the last two rounds of the series in Italy and France next month before trying to sort out a ride for next year.

He gets support from Charterhouse Consulting, Adams Creative and Southern Electrical Trade Suppliers but needs more sponsorship to enable him to take the necessary time off work to practise, test, travel to meetings and race.

He said: "These two events have been a real eye opener and I'd like to thank my regular sponsors along with Beowulf Racing for giving me this fantastic opportunity.

"Andy knows James Toseland (a top British rider) and has arranged for me to spend a week or two with him in the winter training and learning things.

"It has been quite a turnaround for me.

"Things are a bit up in the air but I am happy with how they are going."