Tom Grimshaw: Time to get stuck back in
By TMX Archives on 31st Aug 16
Breaking my arm meant I had seven weeks away from racing which is hard when youre in full swing and suddenly it all stops.
Unfortunately, during this time I missed round four of the British Youth Nationals in Scotland which ended my title hopes but I'll race the remaining rounds and try to get the best overall results I can.
The whole family went to watch the Maxxis at Blaxhall and MX Nationals at Canada Heights which was great as I was able to catch up with friends and just chill with no pressure.
While recovering it was funny watching mum jumping at the opportunity to get dad to do lots of jobs around the house – his face was a picture, then he'd turn around to me and say "look what you've done”.
However, it wasn't all bad as dad had some valuable time to complete his 1989 Honda Evo 250 rebuild.
The bike looks mega and we decided to run her in at Washbrook Farm. All went really well and it was big smiles all round as the preparations fell nicely into place for the massive Farleigh VMXdN on September 3/4. Even our dog is called Farleigh!
While I was in plaster I did my best to keep training, trying to maintain a level of fitness. Dad at the same time was doing his 22 press-ups in 22 days which we had a lot of fun with, especially when we met up with Spanish trials star Adam Raga who counted dad's press-ups. Adam kept getting it wrong (I think he was doing it deliberately). Take three and 60-odd press-ups later it all came together.
Once the plaster was off some quality physio sessions at Nuffield Health to build the strength back into the arm meant I could ride the bike one week later.
A bee sting in the eye two days before I was due to ride nearly stopped all plans as I had an allergic reaction but I said I was riding and that was that and the doctor prescribed me some great antibiotics used for fighter pilots!
Kevin Maxted at the Milk Run contacted us to see if we and some other riders would test the new lay-out of the track. The circuit was totally flattened and rebuilt from scratch and you could see the hard work that had gone into it including some good technical sections. Well done guys!
My first race back was the Maxxis MXY2 round at Preston Docks. It all went well and although my timing was a bit off I still managed 12th overall.
We then moved onto round four of the British Youth at Milton Park. Racing was very close and my race pace was improving all the time. I was looking good for second overall until I lost my back brake in moto four and finished last, giving me third overall which I was happy about even though I lost out by two points.
Next up we headed down the M1 for the Luton club's centre race at Toddington Park on Bank Holiday Monday.
This was also DBC Motorcycles' home race meeting and as they supply my bikes it was a great opportunity to show my support. I had some great battles against some big bikes which made me work very hard on a mint track to claim second overall in the Expert class.
All roads lead to Farleigh Castle this weekend for VMX of Nations where I will be pit crew, trainer and coach for my dad – so no pressure fat boy!
Tom 61
