TMX Columnist: Tom talks Weston and wheelchairs
By TMX Archives on 5th Nov 15
I was racing in the youth 125/250F class which proved very hard as those top 250F runners were so quick. The track this year seemed very short with around three-minute lap times (we do a shortened lap compared to the Sunday main adult class). Also, the track was not very technical compared to previous years which was a shame as I like to tough it out.
I always enjoy Weston Beach Race and this year was no different as once again the weather was very kind to us and brought large crowds to the beach to watch some really good racing.
I was racing in the youth 125/250F class which proved very hard as those top 250F runners were so quick. The track this year seemed very short with around three-minute lap times (we do a shortened lap compared to the Sunday main adult class). Also, the track was not very technical compared to previous years which was a shame as I like to tough
it out.
My race didn't start well as I fell off in the waiting compound heading down to the beach! I was dead last but I was determined to make up positions over the 90-minute race.
Roll-off goggles are very important as the sand can punish your eyes and two sets of my roll-offs broke so I had to make some unplanned pit stops which cost me some time. I went on to finish 15th overall and second 125 which I was happy about.
Talking about unlucky, my good buddy George (Grigg Pettitt) was in the top three until the last lap when his bike broke. George was riding awesome and deserved a podium finish – instead he got the ride back of shame on the beach recovery trailer!
Training
After Weston everything was going well and I was enjoying riding the 125cc Yamaha until a few weeks later when I was exiting a slow corner and the front wheel snatched inwards, throwing me off. I landed on my foot – breaking four metatarsal bones – and I also suffered a deep gash in my other knee which required several stitches. A lot of damage for a slow-speed crash.
I would like to thank the Mildenhall crew along with Sarah and Chubbie Hammond for helping me. I'm recovering well and should be back bike training by the beginning of December and I've been going to the Nuffield Gym to start my upper body training so I'm
still active.
It's still all go, go, go as we received our new race bike which has been stripped down and the engine delivered to Roland at Hardcore Racing. The suspension was shipped up to Mark at RSS who will work his magic. Lots of goodies have started arriving so the bike will look super-trick come the new season.
I headed to the International Dirt Bike Show to meet and say thank you to all my sponsors who support my racing. It's always great catching up with everybody, especially my mates who thought it was great pushing me around at speed in my wheelchair.
A funny moment was when my American buddy Slade Tressler had a go in my wheelchair and crashed it showing off. I caught it all on film and sent it off to ‘You've Been Framed' – I'm just waiting for my £250 cheque!
Hopefully when you read my next column I will be back on the bike.
Tom 61I always enjoy Weston Beach Race and this year was no different as once again the weather was very kind to us and brought large crowds to the beach to watch some really good racing.
My race didn't start well as I fell off in the waiting compound heading down to the beach! I was dead last but I was determined to make up positions over the 90-minute race.
Roll-off goggles are very important as the sand can punish your eyes and two sets of my roll-offs broke so I had to make some unplanned pit stops which cost me some time. I went on to finish 15th overall and second 125 which I was happy about.
Talking about unlucky, my good buddy George (Grigg Pettitt) was in the top three until the last lap when his bike broke. George was riding awesome and deserved a podium finish – instead he got the ride back of shame on the beach recovery trailer!
Training
After Weston everything was going well and I was enjoying riding the 125cc Yamaha until a few weeks later when I was exiting a slow corner and the front wheel snatched inwards, throwing me off. I landed on my foot – breaking four metatarsal bones – and I also suffered a deep gash in my other knee which required several stitches. A lot of damage for a slow-speed crash.
I would like to thank the Mildenhall crew along with Sarah and Chubbie Hammond for helping me. I'm recovering well and should be back bike training by the beginning of December and I've been going to the Nuffield Gym to start my upper body training so I'm
still active.
It's still all go, go, go as we received our new race bike which has been stripped down and the engine delivered to Roland at Hardcore Racing. The suspension was shipped up to Mark at RSS who will work his magic. Lots of goodies have started arriving so the bike will look super-trick come the new season.
I headed to the International Dirt Bike Show to meet and say thank you to all my sponsors who support my racing. It's always great catching up with everybody, especially my mates who thought it was great pushing me around at speed in my wheelchair.
A funny moment was when my American buddy Slade Tressler had a go in my wheelchair and crashed it showing off. I caught it all on film and sent it off to ‘You've Been Framed' – I'm just waiting for my £250 cheque!
Hopefully when you read my next column I will be back on the bike.
Tom 61
