Motorcycle ace Chris Wallington likes to burn rubber - and from now on the cost of doing so will come a little cheaper.

The Bermudian rider, who races for Westco Racing in the United States, has signed a preliminary deal with tyre giants Bridgestone for this year's AMA Series.

The company have said they will supply Wallington with their product and if he progresses well during the season will consider backing him further.

The news was the most positive aspect to come out of a recent trip to Daytona in Florida.

While practising for a Championship Cup Series event, the lesser of the two divisions he is contesting, Wallington was rear-ended at more than 100 mph. The collision destroyed one of his two 250cc machines and left him with a damaged shoulder, sidelining him for last weekend's AMA opener.

Wallington had hoped the injury would heal in time for him to take to the grid but it was not to be.

"I went out the next day to try and see how the shoulder was to see if I could make the race but it didn't work out," he said. "I was more of a danger out on the track than anything else. Every time I took a turn and pulled my body one way it was like someone was taking a knife and shoving into my shoulder. It caused me to jerk up really quickly and you don't do that on the track. Everyone thought it would be better to just stay out of the race."

It was while in the pits that he was approached by Bridgestone.

"They have picked me up and we are going to see how it goes throughout the year," he said. "As I progress they are going to give me more and more sponsorship."

The deal came somewhat out of the blue.

"They have been amazing. They have seen me ride a few times in the Nationals but they have never really watched me because I haven't been that noticeable," Wallington said. "Now, the first weekend that I am there they are all over me.

"Cory (West) on the team is already sponsored by Bridgestone. They were hanging around the pits and they saw me go out a few times. On my first full lap, one of the few I got in, I was running a 2:04 and that is pretty good."

Wallington admits switching manufacturers will take some initial getting used to.

"They (the tyres) are a little too responsive for my riding," he said. "I am very aggressive and I like the bike to move around a lot, but I like it to move around when I know it's going to.

"Because I do move around they react to every little bit of movement that I do.

"But they are great tyres from the time I have had on them. I have probably ridden about five laps on them and they are very good. I feel confident with them. They have got great traction and they are predictable - you just have to understand that with every movement you are going to make the tyres move a little bit more than the Dunlops."

The tyre deal will help offset the cost of his crash.

"Literally, you are going to go through thousands of dollars in a weekend - three sets or four sets," he said. "If you make a decision on Thursday, say a soft rear and medium front, and come Sunday it's a lot cooler or a lot warmer your tyre choice is all messed up. So it gets expensive."

Bridgestone also offered technical assistance of which Wallington was appreciative.

"They are very supportive," he said. "They are very involved when you come to choose a tyre, telling you how to do this, how to do that, what to expect, what pressure to run according to your riding style etc."

Wallington, who only joined Westco at the end of last year, also got a chance to rub shoulders with his new boss, none other than motorcycle legend Kenny Roberts.

"We met for the first time but unfortunately when we did my arm was up in a sling," he said.

"He is a very hard guy. He thinks about one thing and one thing only and that is winning and as a result he is quite a demanding boss. He demands a lot out of Cory and I think with me being on the team he is going to expect a lot out of me as well.

"But I like that. He is a great guy, full of knowledge. He was giving me little hints to get round the track that much faster.

"He has a history behind him like nobody else. It is an honour to be riding with him."

Wallington's next scheduled race is in Fontana, California, next month and the next few weeks will be taken up with fitness training.

"I normally run every morning but it's too jerky on the shoulder right now, so I think I am just going to jump in the pool and do some swimming. But I have got to get myself back into shape," he said. "I have been doing literally nothing for a week and a half now since the accident."

In a bid to keep active while in Bermuda, where riding his 250cc machine is not really possible, Wallington is thinking about buying a motocross bike.

"I am thinking about going down Coney Island and doing some training during their off season," he said.

"That is really good for the upper body and your reflex time on the bike."

It is a pursuit that he said his team actively encouraged.

"We don't get out and ride at 150 percent. We just go out and bounce the bikes around so it's not too dangerous," he said.