1 00:00:06,638 --> 00:00:11,638 2 00:00:34,861 --> 00:00:36,860 In the journey across life's ocean, 3 00:00:36,862 --> 00:00:38,829 you will encounter the calmest of waters 4 00:00:38,831 --> 00:00:41,832 and wild storms of great adversity. 5 00:00:41,834 --> 00:00:44,768 In the moments of the storm, you will have to make a decision 6 00:00:44,771 --> 00:00:47,308 whether to counter the adversity in your life. 7 00:00:50,210 --> 00:00:54,379 It can be a powerful choice in choosing to fight and live a fulfilled life. 8 00:00:54,381 --> 00:00:59,050 Take that deep breath. Step into the journey. Listen to your heart. 9 00:00:59,053 --> 00:01:02,358 Have presence of mind, and create your destiny from within. 10 00:01:32,689 --> 00:01:34,422 Motorcycle racing... 11 00:01:34,425 --> 00:01:37,393 is a passionate sport that many love. 12 00:01:37,395 --> 00:01:39,262 It takes incredible skill to race a bike 13 00:01:39,264 --> 00:01:42,234 at speeds of over 100 miles per hour, around a track. 14 00:01:43,368 --> 00:01:45,601 The sport is challenging enough as it is. 15 00:01:45,603 --> 00:01:47,939 But there is a team that are taking it to a new level. 16 00:01:55,982 --> 00:02:00,350 Talan Racing is a team of two paralyzed, and two above knee amputee riders 17 00:02:00,353 --> 00:02:02,254 that are changing motorsport history. 18 00:02:02,256 --> 00:02:05,525 Riding the very machine that disabled them. 19 00:02:06,959 --> 00:02:08,492 We follow the team overseas 20 00:02:08,494 --> 00:02:11,263 and as they attempt to race alongside able bodied riders, 21 00:02:11,266 --> 00:02:12,932 changing the perception of disability 22 00:02:12,934 --> 00:02:16,572 in a sport that has been otherwise inaccessible until now. 23 00:03:22,107 --> 00:03:26,476 All the way through my life I've been interested in speed. 24 00:03:26,479 --> 00:03:29,716 Whether or not it was on the water for wind surfing, 25 00:03:30,917 --> 00:03:34,086 it's always been something that I've been interested in. 26 00:03:34,088 --> 00:03:36,654 And also competition. 27 00:03:36,656 --> 00:03:39,190 You get that buzz from the speed, 28 00:03:39,193 --> 00:03:41,261 but it's that competitive nature 29 00:03:41,263 --> 00:03:44,630 that's made me want to be a racer, 30 00:03:44,632 --> 00:03:47,267 to test myself against others. 31 00:03:47,269 --> 00:03:52,071 Motorcycle racing is one of the few sports where a paraplegic 32 00:03:52,074 --> 00:03:54,475 can compete against someone who's able bodied 33 00:03:54,477 --> 00:03:58,745 and there not be a massive, uh, difference 34 00:03:58,747 --> 00:03:59,949 in our capabilities. 35 00:04:01,417 --> 00:04:03,816 I was paralyzed in March, 2003. 36 00:04:03,819 --> 00:04:08,222 Two hundred yards down the road, a car came out of a side road 37 00:04:08,224 --> 00:04:12,060 clipped me, knocked me off the bike and I slid 38 00:04:12,062 --> 00:04:13,662 down the road, which wasn't a problem, 39 00:04:13,664 --> 00:04:16,465 'cause I'm in all my leathers and I was protected. 40 00:04:16,467 --> 00:04:18,934 Uh, but being knocked, 41 00:04:18,936 --> 00:04:21,604 I was thrown onto the other side of the road, 42 00:04:21,606 --> 00:04:24,340 and straight into the path of the oncoming traffic. 43 00:04:24,342 --> 00:04:26,676 Uh, the car went straight over the top of me. 44 00:04:26,678 --> 00:04:29,146 I shattered my back and T4 straightaway. 45 00:04:29,148 --> 00:04:31,381 So, I'm paralyzed at this level. 46 00:04:31,383 --> 00:04:34,850 Um, I got basically rolled underneath the car, 47 00:04:34,852 --> 00:04:38,458 breaking more of me, massive internal injuries. 48 00:04:40,725 --> 00:04:44,361 Didn't see any reason for me to be alive. It was... 49 00:04:44,363 --> 00:04:46,964 It was cruel. It was cruel. That's what it was. 50 00:04:46,966 --> 00:04:51,536 For me to be kept alive when I just begged them to let me die. 51 00:04:51,538 --> 00:04:55,607 My mother was very strong minded and determined 52 00:04:55,609 --> 00:04:58,876 that we would find something for me to do. 53 00:04:58,878 --> 00:05:03,314 I was also very fortunate to have an ex-patient from Salisbury. 54 00:05:03,316 --> 00:05:05,016 He came in for a regular checkup. 55 00:05:05,018 --> 00:05:08,387 And he started to tell me about the things that he was able to do. 56 00:05:08,389 --> 00:05:12,825 He was the same level of injury. He had had a motorcycle accident as well. 57 00:05:12,827 --> 00:05:17,197 And then he started telling me that he was driving his car, that he had a girlfriend, 58 00:05:17,199 --> 00:05:19,833 and he started listing all the things. 59 00:05:19,835 --> 00:05:21,902 Then, he said the magic words. 60 00:05:21,904 --> 00:05:25,006 He said, "Oh, and I've just come back from skiing." 61 00:05:25,008 --> 00:05:28,441 And that was the moment that changed everything. 62 00:05:28,443 --> 00:05:30,744 That feeling... 63 00:05:30,746 --> 00:05:35,016 that I used to get on the bike was replaced with a set of skis. 64 00:05:35,018 --> 00:05:39,286 Right up to the point where I got on a snowmobile, 65 00:05:39,288 --> 00:05:41,589 and then I thought if I can ride a snowmobile, 66 00:05:41,591 --> 00:05:45,294 pretty sure I could stay on a motorbike. 67 00:05:45,296 --> 00:05:47,397 That started me thinking, 68 00:05:47,399 --> 00:05:49,631 started doing a little bit of research on the Internet, 69 00:05:49,633 --> 00:05:52,704 saw that one or two people had actually managed it. 70 00:05:53,137 --> 00:05:55,138 Uh, so I... 71 00:05:55,140 --> 00:05:56,807 took a complete gamble. 72 00:05:56,809 --> 00:06:00,711 Went into a showroom, bought a motorbike. 73 00:06:00,713 --> 00:06:03,814 Adapted it... in secret, 74 00:06:03,816 --> 00:06:06,286 went to a disused airfield 75 00:06:07,052 --> 00:06:08,786 and tried to ride again. 76 00:06:08,788 --> 00:06:12,556 And, I managed it for five minutes. 77 00:06:12,558 --> 00:06:14,926 And then I fell over, and then I was on the floor. 78 00:06:14,928 --> 00:06:18,796 But, the five minutes had shown me that it was possible. 79 00:06:18,798 --> 00:06:23,468 My first race I turned up in my van with a bike in the back of it, 80 00:06:23,470 --> 00:06:27,773 and I slept on a little roll mat next to my bike. 81 00:06:27,775 --> 00:06:29,307 I didn't have any spare wheels. 82 00:06:29,309 --> 00:06:31,777 I only had a front and a rear paddock stand. 83 00:06:31,779 --> 00:06:33,679 I think I had tire warmers by then. 84 00:06:33,681 --> 00:06:37,317 I didn't have any generator, I had no gazebo. 85 00:06:37,319 --> 00:06:40,420 Nothing. I simply had a bike 86 00:06:40,422 --> 00:06:43,723 with front wheel paddock stand and a set of tire warmers. 87 00:06:43,725 --> 00:06:44,761 And that was it. 88 00:06:48,231 --> 00:06:50,601 It took me a long time to... 89 00:06:51,801 --> 00:06:53,734 persuade the Auto-Cycle Union, 90 00:06:53,736 --> 00:06:56,436 which is the governing body for racing, 91 00:06:56,438 --> 00:06:57,972 that someone who's paralyzed 92 00:06:57,974 --> 00:07:03,711 is safe and capable of racing alongside able bodied racers. 93 00:07:03,713 --> 00:07:06,781 And we figured out the best way to do it. 94 00:07:06,783 --> 00:07:11,955 So, it made sense for us to say to others who were interested in racing, 95 00:07:11,957 --> 00:07:15,692 "Well, if you are interested, why don't you come with us? 96 00:07:15,694 --> 00:07:18,661 "Let's create a team and let's make it possible 97 00:07:18,663 --> 00:07:20,332 "for more people to get into racing." 98 00:07:22,099 --> 00:07:24,802 My job is looking after team logistics. 99 00:07:24,804 --> 00:07:27,705 So, that's everything on and off the tracks. 100 00:07:27,707 --> 00:07:31,040 I look after the team, not just the riders, 101 00:07:31,042 --> 00:07:33,376 make sure all the equipment is ready to go 102 00:07:33,378 --> 00:07:35,780 make sure all the team are in the right places. 103 00:07:35,782 --> 00:07:39,918 Make sure we've got all the right equipments, contracts, health and safety. 104 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:46,024 This year, we're racing with BMCRC or Bemsee. It's the oldest UK race club. 105 00:07:46,026 --> 00:07:47,759 They've got an excellent reputation 106 00:07:47,761 --> 00:07:50,362 and we're running in several different championships. 107 00:07:50,364 --> 00:07:52,297 So, we're not just here on track days. 108 00:07:52,299 --> 00:07:57,035 We are out here to compete against able bodied riders. 109 00:07:57,037 --> 00:08:00,506 Last year, we raced with them a little bit, 110 00:08:00,508 --> 00:08:03,276 and we just have to show that we were safe. 111 00:08:03,278 --> 00:08:06,413 This year we're going to be racing competitively with them. 112 00:08:06,415 --> 00:08:10,850 Racing is no exception to the rule when it comes to costing a lot of money. 113 00:08:10,852 --> 00:08:15,089 We were blessed last year with having McMillan Williams 114 00:08:15,091 --> 00:08:18,625 coming aboard and sponsoring Talan just as a solo rider. 115 00:08:18,627 --> 00:08:22,729 And we proved we were a good, safe bet. 116 00:08:22,731 --> 00:08:27,000 We had a good year, both in the media and on the track. 117 00:08:27,003 --> 00:08:31,840 And then, they decided they would back us for having four riders this year, 118 00:08:31,842 --> 00:08:35,881 which is excellent news, but we just wouldn't be able to do it without them. 119 00:08:36,680 --> 00:08:38,714 The cost of running the team, 120 00:08:38,716 --> 00:08:40,583 just getting us to the racetrack, 121 00:08:40,585 --> 00:08:42,818 is exceptionally expensive. 122 00:08:42,820 --> 00:08:46,622 We have so many overheads that most people just don't realize, 123 00:08:46,624 --> 00:08:49,592 but it's not just about buying a motorbike 124 00:08:49,594 --> 00:08:52,361 and turning up here and seeing how it goes. 125 00:08:52,364 --> 00:08:56,867 The first weekend of any motorsport season is predominantly used for testing. 126 00:08:56,869 --> 00:08:59,636 The team's bikes are adapted for paralyzed riders. 127 00:08:59,638 --> 00:09:01,572 So, it's going to be a particularly important weekend 128 00:09:01,574 --> 00:09:04,809 to ensure the adaptions work correctly. 129 00:09:04,812 --> 00:09:09,680 We developed a way of launching and catching the motorcycle from... 130 00:09:09,682 --> 00:09:13,385 'Cause obviously, once I'm riding, I'm balanced. 131 00:09:13,387 --> 00:09:18,522 But getting to that point and coming back from that point to stationary is the tricky bit. 132 00:09:18,525 --> 00:09:22,729 So, we figured out that I get on the bike while it's on a paddock stand. 133 00:09:22,731 --> 00:09:26,132 Then, one person holds the front, one person holds the back. 134 00:09:26,134 --> 00:09:29,735 When I'm ready, I get taken off this paddock stand 135 00:09:29,738 --> 00:09:31,971 start the bike up, put it in first gear. 136 00:09:31,973 --> 00:09:34,207 The person that stood at the front moves to one side, 137 00:09:34,209 --> 00:09:36,744 and then I simply drive outta their hands. 138 00:09:36,746 --> 00:09:39,679 Go off, do my track time, come back. 139 00:09:39,681 --> 00:09:43,350 And the same people that launched me are there to catch me. 140 00:09:43,353 --> 00:09:48,456 You know, I start off from the back of the grid if I have a problem whilst I'm on circuit, 141 00:09:48,458 --> 00:09:52,260 then I can easily just ride over to the arm curve, lean up against it 142 00:09:52,262 --> 00:09:55,930 or the tire wall, lean up against that, the marshals come, lift me 143 00:09:55,933 --> 00:10:00,202 onto the top row, and then the race can carry on. 144 00:10:00,204 --> 00:10:02,304 You can take a standard motorcycle. 145 00:10:02,306 --> 00:10:06,775 First thing you're gonna think about is feet. Your feet, you can't control where they are. 146 00:10:06,778 --> 00:10:12,882 So, we have an old set of steel bicycle toe clips. 147 00:10:12,884 --> 00:10:17,921 So, the peg takes the weight and the toe clip simply stops the boot from slipping 148 00:10:17,923 --> 00:10:20,456 left or right, or forwards and backwards. 149 00:10:20,459 --> 00:10:22,093 So that's the foot sorted out. 150 00:10:22,095 --> 00:10:25,964 The knee, well, we take the knee sliders off of the leathers, 151 00:10:25,966 --> 00:10:30,734 and then we attach a strap to the side of the bike, with a little sort of tail. 152 00:10:30,736 --> 00:10:34,504 That wraps around the knee onto where the knee slider is. 153 00:10:34,507 --> 00:10:39,211 To change gears, you use an electronic gear shifter. 154 00:10:39,213 --> 00:10:45,851 It's a big unit that sits over the top of the foot operated gear lever, 155 00:10:45,853 --> 00:10:48,188 and then on the handle bars there's a red and green button 156 00:10:48,190 --> 00:10:51,993 and you simply press the buttons in order to go up and down through the gear box. 157 00:10:54,228 --> 00:10:55,595 There are real differences 158 00:10:55,597 --> 00:10:57,764 that we've got to kind of go through, 159 00:10:57,767 --> 00:10:59,467 look at, and consider, 160 00:10:59,469 --> 00:11:03,503 and sometimes, you know, unexpected things happen 161 00:11:03,505 --> 00:11:06,207 that we work on as well, because, 162 00:11:06,209 --> 00:11:08,074 of course they've got history, 163 00:11:08,076 --> 00:11:10,977 and sometimes it's more the traumatic history as well, 164 00:11:10,980 --> 00:11:13,949 because of the injuries they've sustained and what not. 165 00:11:13,951 --> 00:11:16,517 So yes, we have to look at that and... 166 00:11:16,519 --> 00:11:20,855 And it is also looking at the functional capabilities of those riders 167 00:11:20,857 --> 00:11:22,290 from a physical standpoint. 168 00:11:22,293 --> 00:11:26,061 and how that relates to their psychology. 169 00:11:26,063 --> 00:11:30,066 Disabilities cause different hurdles for different people. 170 00:11:30,068 --> 00:11:34,202 But I would never stand in the way of anybody who has a real desire 171 00:11:34,205 --> 00:11:37,843 to go and do something, because I think, you know, why not? 172 00:11:41,213 --> 00:11:45,716 Steve Jones is the second rider to join the team. 173 00:11:45,718 --> 00:11:48,152 On November 20th, 2008, 174 00:11:48,155 --> 00:11:54,726 I was involved in an RTA on the way to work, about seven o'clock in the morning. 175 00:11:54,728 --> 00:11:57,897 I ended up hitting a stationary truck 176 00:11:59,300 --> 00:12:03,135 and bouncing back off the back about six to eight foot. 177 00:12:03,137 --> 00:12:08,040 I remember asking the policeman as we drove to the hospital 178 00:12:08,042 --> 00:12:11,843 through Paul, "Was Steve dead?" 179 00:12:11,846 --> 00:12:15,714 To which he said he couldn't answer me at this point. 180 00:12:15,716 --> 00:12:19,485 I'd gone to the hospital with the police... policeman... 181 00:12:19,487 --> 00:12:22,189 and been taken to the relative room, where I was met with, 182 00:12:22,191 --> 00:12:27,228 to the senior staff nurses and one of the consultants at the time. 183 00:12:27,230 --> 00:12:33,234 They said that he had sustained really horrific facial, brainal injuries, 184 00:12:33,236 --> 00:12:35,235 broken his back. 185 00:12:35,237 --> 00:12:40,941 But they didn't touch very much on the back injury, but more so on the concern over the brain 186 00:12:40,944 --> 00:12:45,717 injury and also the facial damage, etcetera. 187 00:12:46,983 --> 00:12:49,184 It was just a sheer mess. 188 00:12:49,186 --> 00:12:53,122 Everything seemed to explode, obviously where I'd taken the impact on the helmet. 189 00:12:53,124 --> 00:12:57,160 And the lower half of the helmet has actually stayed in my jaw. 190 00:12:57,162 --> 00:13:03,000 So, on removing the helmet, the top half inflated, the bottom half stayed in. 191 00:13:03,002 --> 00:13:08,472 Prying the bottom half out, obviously all of my teeth and jaw fell out. 192 00:13:08,474 --> 00:13:12,309 I could only gauge from the scars I had afterwards, 193 00:13:12,311 --> 00:13:17,381 where I'd had the surgery. 194 00:13:17,384 --> 00:13:23,257 It was 20 odd hours surgery to rebuild my face and it was pretty horrific. 195 00:13:24,288 --> 00:13:25,891 With the extensive brain swelling, 196 00:13:25,893 --> 00:13:29,060 I was taken shortly after they patched me all back up, 197 00:13:29,063 --> 00:13:30,897 to Southampton Neurology. 198 00:13:30,899 --> 00:13:35,234 I was there for, I believe, a couple of days. Two-three days. 199 00:13:35,236 --> 00:13:38,638 I was put on life support. 200 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:42,207 Shortly after that, I was taken back to Paul Hospital 201 00:13:42,210 --> 00:13:46,580 for a general overview, 202 00:13:46,582 --> 00:13:49,216 before I was waiting a bed 203 00:13:49,218 --> 00:13:51,618 at Salisbury District Hospital for my rehab. 204 00:13:51,620 --> 00:13:53,487 I thought going to Salisbury, 205 00:13:53,489 --> 00:13:55,222 they could cure my broken back, 206 00:13:55,224 --> 00:13:56,890 and the core injury. 207 00:13:56,892 --> 00:14:00,127 I was slightly disillusioned really, because 208 00:14:00,129 --> 00:14:02,130 that wasn't the case. 209 00:14:02,132 --> 00:14:06,967 Salisbury was designed to help rehab. 210 00:14:06,970 --> 00:14:10,705 I think I knew from quite an early stage that Steve would be in a wheelchair. 211 00:14:10,707 --> 00:14:14,542 Even though it wasn't really discussed at that point, I knew that the damage to 212 00:14:14,544 --> 00:14:15,978 his spine and his back was severe. 213 00:14:15,980 --> 00:14:18,147 And I knew really that he would be in a wheelchair. 214 00:14:18,149 --> 00:14:22,118 And I do remember actually saying that I could cope with Steve being in a wheelchair 215 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:26,623 and actually meaning it, and not just a flighting comment. 216 00:14:26,625 --> 00:14:30,597 Um, yeah, no, for better or worse. Yeah. 217 00:14:32,030 --> 00:14:38,738 I was in a room on my own, and the doctor, Dr. Vinod, it was, told me. 218 00:14:39,972 --> 00:14:42,741 And I'll be honest with you. I just burst into tears. 219 00:14:42,743 --> 00:14:47,578 It was the hardest thing I've ever been told, "You'll never walk again," 220 00:14:47,580 --> 00:14:53,318 after going to a spinal specialist and sensor. 221 00:14:53,320 --> 00:15:00,827 I think the saddest part was Steve sitting in the wheelchair for the first time, 222 00:15:00,829 --> 00:15:07,700 and actually thinking, "God, this is actually how it's going to be." 223 00:15:07,702 --> 00:15:09,502 That he wouldn't be walking out of the spinal unit. 224 00:15:09,504 --> 00:15:12,973 That he would be coming out in a chair, but he would be coming home. 225 00:15:12,975 --> 00:15:16,776 And one of his nurses pulling me to one side and said, 226 00:15:16,778 --> 00:15:18,344 "I think you need to realize, Claire, 227 00:15:18,346 --> 00:15:21,516 "that although Steve's in a wheelchair, he's not disabled." 228 00:15:21,518 --> 00:15:24,351 And I've never ever forgotten that. 229 00:15:24,353 --> 00:15:28,223 I took part in the Inter Spinal Unit Games at Stoke Mandeville, 230 00:15:28,225 --> 00:15:31,459 where I took part in a variation of sports, 231 00:15:31,462 --> 00:15:33,528 which I thought I couldn't actually do 232 00:15:33,530 --> 00:15:36,698 being in a wheelchair, and I did, and I loved every second of it. 233 00:15:36,700 --> 00:15:41,239 And that was then, the incite to sort of do more, 234 00:15:42,140 --> 00:15:43,840 and achieve a lot more. 235 00:15:43,843 --> 00:15:47,209 Really, nothing should hold you back being in the chair at all. 236 00:15:47,211 --> 00:15:52,683 I'm lucky to finish. The worst of the whole injury is being in a wheelchair, 237 00:15:52,685 --> 00:15:56,119 after everything that I've had, is not that bad. 238 00:15:56,121 --> 00:16:00,427 It isn't that bad at all. There's a lot of people in a worse off position than myself. 239 00:16:05,165 --> 00:16:09,766 A couple of years ago, Anthony, the team principal from Talan Racing 240 00:16:09,769 --> 00:16:12,204 asked me if I wanted to be a part of the team. 241 00:16:12,206 --> 00:16:18,444 This year is my first full season under Talan Racing. 242 00:16:18,446 --> 00:16:23,281 So, yeah, I'm very nervous. Very nervous, indeed, 243 00:16:23,284 --> 00:16:25,417 to race and... 244 00:16:25,419 --> 00:16:29,254 But I think, once I'm on the bike, it will be second nature again. 245 00:16:29,256 --> 00:16:33,759 I think my goal is to prove to others, 246 00:16:33,762 --> 00:16:38,466 obviously, being in a chair, you shouldn't have any limitations. 247 00:16:38,468 --> 00:16:40,668 Not ideally, but I'd like to kick some of their asses. 248 00:16:40,670 --> 00:16:42,639 In fairness, I'm not gonna last. 249 00:16:44,774 --> 00:16:47,808 - I can't swear, can I? - Yeah, you can. 250 00:16:47,810 --> 00:16:48,912 I'm shitting a brick. 251 00:16:49,812 --> 00:16:51,481 I'm very nervous. 252 00:16:52,148 --> 00:16:54,082 Let's go. Let's do it. 253 00:16:54,084 --> 00:16:55,453 I'll see you in ten. 254 00:16:59,289 --> 00:17:02,425 Steve's not racing this weekend. He's only here for testing. 255 00:17:02,427 --> 00:17:04,760 It's his first time out on a track for over a year, 256 00:17:04,762 --> 00:17:06,698 so it's a chance to get used to the bike. 257 00:17:17,509 --> 00:17:20,811 After only one lap, Steve has crashed. 258 00:17:20,813 --> 00:17:22,912 The team is concerned and this is a reminder 259 00:17:22,914 --> 00:17:25,585 that everything can change very quickly in motorsport. 260 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:29,988 Just trying to find out where the med center is. 261 00:17:29,990 --> 00:17:31,722 It looks like Steve has come off 262 00:17:31,724 --> 00:17:34,258 and we're not quite sure where he is. 263 00:17:34,260 --> 00:17:38,367 I'm guessing it has something to do with cold tires, cold tracks and nerves. 264 00:17:40,001 --> 00:17:41,770 We'll have to wait and see how he is. 265 00:17:45,473 --> 00:17:49,141 Was following the instructor for two laps 266 00:17:49,144 --> 00:17:51,877 for a lap, at least, and then he slowed down 267 00:17:51,879 --> 00:17:54,780 for another guy who was fairly slow at the back. 268 00:17:54,782 --> 00:18:00,487 And I'd gone past him on the second... past the pit lane, 269 00:18:00,489 --> 00:18:02,455 just gone into the first bend 270 00:18:02,458 --> 00:18:05,525 from the top I'd gone over, a bit too quick. 271 00:18:05,527 --> 00:18:10,097 And before I could change direction, I was off. 272 00:18:10,099 --> 00:18:11,566 It can happen, so it is. 273 00:18:11,568 --> 00:18:15,839 But as we know, everything's so quick, it can change... 274 00:18:16,907 --> 00:18:19,875 I'll get back and move on. 275 00:18:19,877 --> 00:18:22,743 Just get cracking. I'm fine, really, so. 276 00:18:22,745 --> 00:18:25,446 - Thanks again, guys. - Thanks very much. 277 00:18:25,448 --> 00:18:27,483 The crash was caused by rider error. 278 00:18:27,486 --> 00:18:32,291 Steve's okay, so it's essential to get him riding again today, if the bike can be fixed. 279 00:18:34,525 --> 00:18:36,926 I think it was a real shock to him. 280 00:18:36,928 --> 00:18:39,964 I think it came as a real surprise. 281 00:18:39,966 --> 00:18:44,267 Um, but I think that having had a proper long discussion 282 00:18:44,269 --> 00:18:47,271 so that we can really digest what happened, 283 00:18:47,273 --> 00:18:50,474 and events that led up to it. 284 00:18:50,476 --> 00:18:54,579 I think we've actually gained quite a lot, and it's been a valuable learning experience. 285 00:18:54,581 --> 00:18:59,383 And thankfully, he's come out of it uninjured, and it was a minor incident, you know. 286 00:18:59,385 --> 00:19:03,988 This is a really stressful environment. It's highly competitive. 287 00:19:03,991 --> 00:19:08,294 Nobody out there is gonna give any break to anybody that's on a motorbike. 288 00:19:08,296 --> 00:19:11,330 Nobody will know Steve from anybody else, 289 00:19:11,332 --> 00:19:14,299 and they won't even give him a break for being a rookie. 290 00:19:14,301 --> 00:19:16,270 The race track is the race track. 291 00:19:18,007 --> 00:19:21,008 Mechanics, Dan and Will, get Steve's bike fixed 292 00:19:21,010 --> 00:19:23,445 so he can go back out and finish his test day. 293 00:19:43,868 --> 00:19:47,435 So, what we're doing is, we're securing the tire warmers. 294 00:19:47,437 --> 00:19:51,173 We can't send a bike out on cold tires, 295 00:19:51,175 --> 00:19:54,877 because it takes longer to get speed or safety. 296 00:19:54,879 --> 00:19:58,982 Checking what fuel is in the bikes, checking tire pressures, 297 00:19:58,984 --> 00:20:02,519 checking basically all functions for the safety of the bike, 298 00:20:02,521 --> 00:20:06,991 so that when they go, our riders are absolutely as safe as they can be. 299 00:20:06,993 --> 00:20:09,694 Having an accident is always a risk in motorsport. 300 00:20:09,696 --> 00:20:13,164 Talan has had one serious accident since racing as a paraplegic, 301 00:20:13,166 --> 00:20:15,465 resulting in ongoing bone injuries. 302 00:20:15,467 --> 00:20:17,201 He cannot afford to have another. 303 00:20:17,203 --> 00:20:20,137 I would say that if I had another 304 00:20:20,140 --> 00:20:24,976 serious accident, then I would have to stop motorcycle racing. 305 00:20:24,978 --> 00:20:28,813 The metalwork in the right leg could easily get bent 306 00:20:28,815 --> 00:20:32,819 and obviously the left leg is still in pieces and... 307 00:20:32,821 --> 00:20:38,358 and that would just set me back so long. 308 00:20:38,360 --> 00:20:42,794 We've got another two years, they think, before the leg is gonna be fully healed. 309 00:20:42,796 --> 00:20:44,834 So I have to be very, very careful. 310 00:21:08,925 --> 00:21:13,295 When I was paralyzed, I had an experience of 311 00:21:13,297 --> 00:21:15,430 seeing my life flash in front of my eyes. 312 00:21:15,432 --> 00:21:16,998 And it wasn't that... 313 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:19,735 It wasn't a linear progression as I thought it would be. 314 00:21:19,737 --> 00:21:25,541 It was... You are in the center point of a giant sphere, 315 00:21:25,543 --> 00:21:30,012 and every second of your life is projected onto the sphere. 316 00:21:30,014 --> 00:21:35,385 And you become consciously aware of every moment of your life 317 00:21:35,387 --> 00:21:37,721 in one instant of time. 318 00:21:37,723 --> 00:21:42,759 It was, and I would say it remained the most 319 00:21:42,761 --> 00:21:46,868 intense and amazing experience of my entire life. 320 00:21:47,702 --> 00:21:49,738 Because I had that experience, 321 00:21:50,771 --> 00:21:54,772 I'm not worried about dying. 322 00:21:54,774 --> 00:21:58,210 Slipped down the track on my right hand side. Me and the bike parted company. 323 00:21:58,212 --> 00:22:00,245 Bike spun away. I was fine, so, 324 00:22:00,247 --> 00:22:03,116 bike is pretty much undamaged. 325 00:22:03,118 --> 00:22:05,117 I'm completely undamaged. 326 00:22:05,119 --> 00:22:11,090 Uh, yeah, so, lots of tough lessons from this weekend. 327 00:22:11,092 --> 00:22:13,827 Talan's fortunate to not sustain injury. 328 00:22:13,830 --> 00:22:15,995 With both riders off in the first weekend, 329 00:22:15,997 --> 00:22:18,968 it looks like it will be a challenge to race competitively. 330 00:22:30,613 --> 00:22:34,282 It's weird looking at that... that mark in the road. 331 00:22:34,284 --> 00:22:37,723 knowing like, that's the spot. 332 00:22:39,257 --> 00:22:41,457 All this was overgrown. 333 00:22:43,093 --> 00:22:45,194 There was a work turn around all of this. 334 00:22:45,196 --> 00:22:47,630 so you couldn't see through the bend. 335 00:22:47,632 --> 00:22:51,168 Through here, all of this was overgrown out into the pavement, 336 00:22:51,170 --> 00:22:53,137 and all these trees were right up high. 337 00:22:53,139 --> 00:22:56,676 So, as I came around the first... 338 00:22:58,344 --> 00:23:02,016 The first time that I saw the back of the traffic, 339 00:23:04,384 --> 00:23:05,786 would have been 340 00:23:06,952 --> 00:23:08,422 about here. 341 00:23:09,288 --> 00:23:12,390 This was all overgrown and I was low. 342 00:23:12,392 --> 00:23:13,962 And that's where I went through... 343 00:23:16,763 --> 00:23:18,831 The flatbed lorry was 344 00:23:18,833 --> 00:23:21,603 further up, just by where the hikes is. 345 00:23:23,003 --> 00:23:26,705 And, the traffic had backed up 346 00:23:26,707 --> 00:23:31,411 to just by where the 50 sign is, slightly before the 50 sign. 347 00:23:31,413 --> 00:23:34,317 In fact, it was quite a lot before the 50 sign. 348 00:23:36,284 --> 00:23:39,252 And so as I came around, 349 00:23:39,254 --> 00:23:43,891 all I could do was either try and stop for the back of the traffic, 350 00:23:43,893 --> 00:23:45,395 or try and 351 00:23:46,562 --> 00:23:48,195 go to the right of the traffic. 352 00:23:48,197 --> 00:23:52,469 And unfortunately, I hit the vehicle that was coming head-on. 353 00:23:53,803 --> 00:23:57,541 I didn't think I'd... I remember hitting it thinking... 354 00:23:58,876 --> 00:24:00,075 "That's not good." 355 00:24:00,077 --> 00:24:03,145 Um, but, not really feeling anything. 356 00:24:03,147 --> 00:24:07,586 I just remember flying and seeing the sky and the tarmac. 357 00:24:08,619 --> 00:24:13,188 And landing and thinking, 358 00:24:13,190 --> 00:24:18,061 "Oh, that's good. I'm fine. Wiggled my hands and lifted them. It's all good." 359 00:24:18,063 --> 00:24:21,999 I sat up. You know, the first thing you think, "Where's my bike?" 360 00:24:22,001 --> 00:24:25,535 It's like, always the first thing. Is the bike all right? 361 00:24:25,537 --> 00:24:27,404 And then, I'm looking for the bike, 362 00:24:27,406 --> 00:24:30,878 and look and see that the bike's there and I'm like, "Right, go and get the bike." 363 00:24:31,378 --> 00:24:33,311 And I went to get up 364 00:24:33,313 --> 00:24:35,416 to go and walk back to my bike, 365 00:24:36,182 --> 00:24:38,952 and then, I couldn't move. 366 00:24:39,952 --> 00:24:43,591 And, uh, I looked down and my... 367 00:24:44,758 --> 00:24:49,762 My leg had pretty much been smashed off. 368 00:24:49,764 --> 00:24:52,000 And the only thing that was holding it 369 00:24:52,967 --> 00:24:55,369 to me was my leathers. 370 00:24:55,371 --> 00:24:59,706 And I didn't think that I would lose it. 371 00:24:59,708 --> 00:25:03,377 And yeah, then I woke up, and, uh... 372 00:25:03,379 --> 00:25:07,148 I just wanted to lift the sheet, as soon as I was sort of 373 00:25:07,150 --> 00:25:09,417 awake enough to realize where I was, 374 00:25:09,419 --> 00:25:12,786 lifting the sheet, and there was no leg there. 375 00:25:12,788 --> 00:25:16,426 I was so desperate to just get back to my... 376 00:25:17,661 --> 00:25:19,260 the life I lived. 377 00:25:19,262 --> 00:25:21,162 So, I was absolutely desperate to get back on a motorbike 378 00:25:21,164 --> 00:25:23,865 and I was absolutely desperate to do this and absolutely desperate to do that. 379 00:25:23,867 --> 00:25:26,367 And I bought a motorbike four months after I got out of hospital, 380 00:25:26,369 --> 00:25:29,704 when I was still all bandaged up. 381 00:25:29,706 --> 00:25:32,976 I remember going into the dealership in London, and them being like, 382 00:25:32,978 --> 00:25:34,711 and looking at me like, 383 00:25:34,713 --> 00:25:41,084 and I'm going to buy this CBR400, which is the exact bike I just crashed. 384 00:25:41,086 --> 00:25:45,025 I really wanted to ride again, and I did. And I've ridden on the road for years. 385 00:25:46,024 --> 00:25:47,393 And, um, 386 00:25:48,293 --> 00:25:52,029 and really valued having that back again. 387 00:25:52,031 --> 00:25:58,036 And then, I realized that I basically did a track day about five or six years ago. 388 00:25:58,038 --> 00:26:03,107 And I really liked it. I really enjoyed it. 389 00:26:03,109 --> 00:26:07,445 You're always reminded of that day and of what happened. 390 00:26:07,447 --> 00:26:09,217 But... 391 00:26:12,720 --> 00:26:14,520 It's like falling down the stairs, isn't it? 392 00:26:14,522 --> 00:26:16,856 I fall down the stairs and break my ankle, 393 00:26:16,858 --> 00:26:21,127 and the ankle could become infected, and I could lose my leg. 394 00:26:21,129 --> 00:26:23,664 Wouldn't mean I wouldn't walk down... 395 00:26:23,666 --> 00:26:27,600 It wouldn't mean I wouldn't use stairs anymore. I'd still use stairs. 396 00:26:27,602 --> 00:26:31,472 But you always have a memory of that place 397 00:26:31,474 --> 00:26:36,110 and the significance of that place and what it did to you. 398 00:26:36,112 --> 00:26:39,016 But I wouldn't say I'd hold any fear, or anxiety, or... 399 00:26:40,784 --> 00:26:44,319 Or any particular attachment to it. 400 00:26:44,321 --> 00:26:47,258 It's just a place and time, isn't it? 401 00:26:47,359 --> 00:26:48,360 You, get on. 402 00:27:02,775 --> 00:27:05,741 A new weekend is an opportunity to improve and develop 403 00:27:05,743 --> 00:27:07,643 following the issues at Brands Hatch. 404 00:27:07,645 --> 00:27:10,349 It's also Louis' first race meeting with the team. 405 00:28:05,609 --> 00:28:07,642 This morning I was pretty nervous. 406 00:28:07,644 --> 00:28:10,579 On the run up to the session... 407 00:28:10,581 --> 00:28:12,880 As I came up a few weeks ago with Franz. 408 00:28:12,882 --> 00:28:16,185 So yeah, I had that in the back of my mind. 409 00:28:16,187 --> 00:28:19,155 Today is a gorgeous day for riding. 410 00:28:19,157 --> 00:28:22,058 The track looks lovely and lovely gripping. 411 00:28:22,060 --> 00:28:26,863 And so it was perfect. I got on the bike and it felt great. 412 00:28:26,865 --> 00:28:30,567 All back in one piece. I've got another four to go today, 413 00:28:30,569 --> 00:28:35,272 so I hope we can improve from session to session. 414 00:28:35,274 --> 00:28:40,445 He's doing really well. I think Brands Hatch was a real shock to his system. 415 00:28:40,447 --> 00:28:45,182 There was some pretty, I suppose, pretty heavy things that we have to deal with, 416 00:28:45,184 --> 00:28:51,156 because, you know, when you've had a significant trauma, 417 00:28:51,158 --> 00:28:55,127 and you then put yourself in a situation where that could be a likelihood, 418 00:28:55,129 --> 00:28:57,833 which is the risk that we play here with motorbiking. 419 00:28:59,100 --> 00:29:02,400 You know, it dredges that type of stuff up, the memories. 420 00:29:02,402 --> 00:29:07,039 And so, we have some time to actually allow him to digest the experience 421 00:29:07,041 --> 00:29:10,946 and kind of get it out of his system, and then to relax and calm down. 422 00:29:16,385 --> 00:29:19,120 It felt wicked just bailing out of pit lane 423 00:29:19,122 --> 00:29:20,821 just straight out onto it. 424 00:29:20,823 --> 00:29:25,892 And I just got my head on straightaway, just went for it like I usually do. 425 00:29:25,894 --> 00:29:27,795 And then... 426 00:29:27,797 --> 00:29:31,799 And then, about four laps in, it just started to get a bit of arm pump. 427 00:29:31,801 --> 00:29:34,571 But, um... 'Cause the straights here are so long. 428 00:29:35,338 --> 00:29:37,405 We're just holding on. 429 00:29:37,407 --> 00:29:42,545 And that extends so quick, And I can't brace myself from the legs. 430 00:29:42,547 --> 00:29:46,919 It's got a hold on my arms, it's killing my forearms a bit, but that's okay. 431 00:29:49,454 --> 00:29:52,821 Logistically speaking, getting three riders to Snetterton 432 00:29:52,823 --> 00:29:56,961 any time would be a logistical nightmare. 433 00:29:56,963 --> 00:29:59,296 Getting two of them that are paraplegics, 434 00:29:59,298 --> 00:30:00,897 and one that's a leg amputee, 435 00:30:00,899 --> 00:30:04,167 that takes a little bit more planning. You need more team. 436 00:30:04,169 --> 00:30:07,405 We need more space, we need more tools. 437 00:30:07,407 --> 00:30:11,443 We need more tickets to get in. Uh, we need more food, 438 00:30:11,445 --> 00:30:16,380 hotels, parts, tires, fuel. 439 00:30:16,382 --> 00:30:21,186 Everything that would normally go into a race day which most people aren't aware of 440 00:30:21,188 --> 00:30:24,857 is timesed by three. 441 00:30:24,859 --> 00:30:28,526 You have to take into every person's special need. 442 00:30:28,528 --> 00:30:31,864 And as much as I look at the riders as just riders, 443 00:30:31,866 --> 00:30:34,900 I don't really see them as having disabilities. 444 00:30:34,902 --> 00:30:37,303 I don't treat them like they've got a disability. 445 00:30:37,305 --> 00:30:39,805 I treat them like they're a rider, because that's what they are. 446 00:30:39,807 --> 00:30:43,844 They're here to ride, they're here to race, they're here to learn. 447 00:30:43,846 --> 00:30:49,050 So I don't treat them like I would any other rider that would be in the garage. 448 00:30:49,052 --> 00:30:52,586 And I think they respect that. 449 00:30:52,588 --> 00:30:55,358 I don't treat them with any kitten gloves 450 00:30:58,695 --> 00:31:03,465 It was a challenge to realize we're gonna have three bikes ready for this weekend. 451 00:31:03,467 --> 00:31:06,634 But I think we've stepped up to the plate and we've handled it really well. 452 00:31:06,636 --> 00:31:09,205 The test day has gone brilliantly. 453 00:31:09,207 --> 00:31:12,374 We've had really, really good preparation 454 00:31:12,376 --> 00:31:15,978 with Branch and Donington, just with one rider. 455 00:31:15,980 --> 00:31:18,815 And then just building up slowly, and... 456 00:31:18,817 --> 00:31:21,251 you really can't fault the team. 457 00:31:21,253 --> 00:31:27,958 I could not do what I'm doing, just having the people behind me to help, 458 00:31:27,960 --> 00:31:29,993 to make the job a lot easier. 459 00:31:29,995 --> 00:31:34,665 Third bike that's come in today, Louis, means I can focus on 460 00:31:34,667 --> 00:31:39,704 that new dynamic of the team and see how that needs to be managed. 461 00:31:39,706 --> 00:31:43,642 Being around a team like this is just good fun. 462 00:31:43,644 --> 00:31:46,010 It's the bottom line. It's good fun. 463 00:31:46,012 --> 00:31:48,414 What else could we be doing at home? Decorating the house? 464 00:31:48,416 --> 00:31:49,816 Don't think so. 465 00:31:49,818 --> 00:31:51,917 I'd rather be out playing with bikes. 466 00:31:51,919 --> 00:31:54,622 Just mucking around with bikes. That's all I'm doing. 467 00:31:57,258 --> 00:32:00,728 It's just an amazing setup. I've never seen anything like it 468 00:32:00,730 --> 00:32:04,164 of all the years I've been racing and 469 00:32:04,166 --> 00:32:06,700 it's marvelous and good luck to them. 470 00:32:06,702 --> 00:32:09,069 I think everybody enjoys it so much, 471 00:32:09,071 --> 00:32:12,206 and I think it's tremendous feat that they can do it. 472 00:32:12,208 --> 00:32:15,310 I always remember Talan's very first race here. 473 00:32:15,312 --> 00:32:19,380 Um, it was about three years ago, I believe. 474 00:32:19,382 --> 00:32:22,349 And I think then he was on a SV650. 475 00:32:22,351 --> 00:32:26,821 Obviously, he's at a disadvantage having to start from the back of the grid. 476 00:32:26,823 --> 00:32:30,292 Unfortunately, there's not much we can do about that. 477 00:32:30,294 --> 00:32:32,628 But, um, on his very first race, 478 00:32:32,630 --> 00:32:36,565 if I remember correctly, I think it was about 30 odd riders out there. 479 00:32:36,567 --> 00:32:40,303 and I think he finished 23rd. 480 00:32:40,305 --> 00:32:42,775 And I think it was absolutely amazing effort. 481 00:32:45,978 --> 00:32:51,248 The reasoning behind... or at least my reasoning behind the 482 00:32:51,250 --> 00:32:57,621 walking the track. It's one of the things I've been trying to instill in all the riders here, 483 00:32:57,623 --> 00:33:01,759 is that, I think, an essential element about connecting 484 00:33:01,761 --> 00:33:04,563 with the circuit and the riding environment 485 00:33:04,565 --> 00:33:10,436 that comes from walking the circuit and doing it in a slow and easy pace. 486 00:33:10,438 --> 00:33:12,737 To take in all of the visual environment, 487 00:33:12,739 --> 00:33:15,708 get a feel for the tarmac under their feet, 488 00:33:15,710 --> 00:33:21,280 it gives them a real good sense of the direction the track goes in, 489 00:33:21,282 --> 00:33:26,018 the qualities of the track, the cameras in various places, and so forth. 490 00:33:26,020 --> 00:33:29,757 And I do it in a slow time, because it gives them the time 491 00:33:29,759 --> 00:33:33,594 to just stand there and take it all in and soak it in in a proper way. 492 00:33:33,596 --> 00:33:39,901 And that's where the art of getting... gaining knowledge of circuits comes from. 493 00:33:39,903 --> 00:33:41,736 It doesn't just come from just jumping on a bike 494 00:33:41,738 --> 00:33:43,538 and zooming around at 100 miles an hour, 495 00:33:43,540 --> 00:33:47,308 because your brain simply cannot process the level of detail 496 00:33:47,310 --> 00:33:52,347 that is there in the environment unless you actually take some time to study it. 497 00:34:00,090 --> 00:34:03,059 If I'd have thought 15 years ago when I lost my leg... 498 00:34:03,061 --> 00:34:07,731 If I'd have thought, when I was lying there on that hospital bed if I'd thought 499 00:34:07,733 --> 00:34:09,899 I'm gonna be... 500 00:34:09,901 --> 00:34:13,336 Let alone racing a motorbike, but riding a motorbike. 501 00:34:13,338 --> 00:34:14,937 I'd have thought that would be incredible. 502 00:34:14,939 --> 00:34:17,674 At the time, I didn't know if I would ever 503 00:34:17,676 --> 00:34:21,411 you know, everything goes... Will I ever kiss a girl again, 504 00:34:21,413 --> 00:34:25,817 will I have a baby with anyone, will I ever have children, will anyone ever love me? 505 00:34:25,819 --> 00:34:30,155 Will I ever ride a motorbike again, will I ever work again, will my friends all leave? 506 00:34:30,157 --> 00:34:33,758 There's a million and one questions that go through your head 507 00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:36,829 when a massive thing like that happens. 508 00:34:36,831 --> 00:34:39,832 If I come last in every race, 509 00:34:39,834 --> 00:34:43,303 I'm still the first person I know that's an amputee 510 00:34:43,305 --> 00:34:47,306 I'm just doing something that I never would have thought I could've done. 511 00:35:44,538 --> 00:35:46,103 The riders all perform well 512 00:35:46,105 --> 00:35:49,474 and finish higher than their start position in each race. 513 00:35:49,476 --> 00:35:51,876 It's looking possible that they may be racing competitively 514 00:35:51,878 --> 00:35:54,378 with able bodied riders moving forward, 515 00:35:54,380 --> 00:35:56,284 but it's going to take a team effort. 516 00:36:03,091 --> 00:36:04,159 Get behind me 517 00:36:14,168 --> 00:36:17,205 Everybody from the management side, 518 00:36:18,040 --> 00:36:20,440 to the mechanics, 519 00:36:20,442 --> 00:36:24,745 to those that support us with our riding development, 520 00:36:24,747 --> 00:36:29,149 uh, mental skills development, you know, everybody 521 00:36:29,151 --> 00:36:33,553 brings something vital to the team, and it is fantastic 522 00:36:33,555 --> 00:36:36,592 to have them there supporting us, and 523 00:36:36,594 --> 00:36:39,731 I hope that what we do out on the track 524 00:36:40,196 --> 00:36:41,632 repays them. 525 00:36:47,472 --> 00:36:52,675 It's now lunch time on the first race day at Silverstone, 526 00:36:52,677 --> 00:36:57,881 and everybody's hungry. So, they're getting their lunch, eventually. 527 00:36:57,883 --> 00:36:59,949 I had an accident myself. 528 00:36:59,951 --> 00:37:03,386 I was riding to my mum's 529 00:37:03,388 --> 00:37:06,290 and somebody pulled out in front of me without looking 530 00:37:06,292 --> 00:37:09,759 and I ended up T-boning her at 50 miles an hour. 531 00:37:09,761 --> 00:37:13,333 Split my pelvis, um... 532 00:37:14,001 --> 00:37:17,171 broke my lower back, hip, 533 00:37:18,038 --> 00:37:20,237 broke my coccyx, 534 00:37:20,239 --> 00:37:23,541 my right wrist, left shoulder, 535 00:37:23,543 --> 00:37:26,245 uh, to the ligaments in my knee, 536 00:37:26,247 --> 00:37:29,415 punctured my lung, and had a bleed to the brain. 537 00:37:29,417 --> 00:37:30,919 So, I did it properly. 538 00:37:33,888 --> 00:37:37,394 I've got metalwork in my pelvis holding it all together. 539 00:37:38,194 --> 00:37:40,764 and I've got metalwork in my wrist... 540 00:37:42,297 --> 00:37:45,699 So, technically, there's... 541 00:37:45,701 --> 00:37:50,037 there's nothing massively, physically wrong with me anymore. 542 00:37:50,039 --> 00:37:53,040 It's just my brain hasn't switched off the pain signals. 543 00:37:53,042 --> 00:37:57,345 And that's now been four-and-a-half years, and it looks like it never will. 544 00:37:57,347 --> 00:38:00,184 So, I've got to just learn to live with this. 545 00:38:00,883 --> 00:38:02,650 Long term. 546 00:38:02,652 --> 00:38:05,721 Anthony got involved with the charity, 547 00:38:05,723 --> 00:38:08,460 because he thought I'd want to use them to get back on a bike. 548 00:38:09,360 --> 00:38:11,927 And then through there, we've... 549 00:38:11,929 --> 00:38:15,899 he got to know Talan more, got more involved with the racing. 550 00:38:15,901 --> 00:38:18,568 And I figured if I ever wanted to see my husband again, 551 00:38:18,570 --> 00:38:21,238 I'd better get involved with the racing as well. 552 00:38:21,240 --> 00:38:23,405 It's... It means the world to me. 553 00:38:23,407 --> 00:38:26,377 I'm very very good friends with Talan, 554 00:38:26,379 --> 00:38:30,848 and he helped me a huge amount in my recovery... 555 00:38:30,850 --> 00:38:35,453 In my mental recovery of coming to terms with chronic pain. 556 00:38:35,455 --> 00:38:38,188 I find this so fulfilling. 557 00:38:38,190 --> 00:38:41,360 If I can't be on a bike, I want to help other people do it. 558 00:38:41,362 --> 00:38:44,195 The people in the paddock seeing what we do is... 559 00:38:44,197 --> 00:38:47,965 It's them knowing that actually, when things do go wrong 560 00:38:47,967 --> 00:38:50,035 there's still light at the end of the tunnel. 561 00:38:50,037 --> 00:38:53,873 It's never an end. There's always a new adventure. 562 00:38:53,875 --> 00:38:56,942 There's always somebody in a worse position than you. 563 00:38:56,944 --> 00:39:00,612 And no matter how hard things are, 564 00:39:00,614 --> 00:39:04,521 there's a way of making them easier. There's a way of making life 565 00:39:05,554 --> 00:39:08,657 not just bearable, but bloody awesome. 566 00:39:09,458 --> 00:39:11,057 So... 567 00:39:11,059 --> 00:39:13,894 Yeah, never give up. Always strive for more. 568 00:39:13,896 --> 00:39:16,797 Expect more. Never settle. 569 00:39:16,799 --> 00:39:18,602 It's important. 570 00:40:31,112 --> 00:40:35,015 Mid-season. It's been a journey to get this far. 571 00:40:35,017 --> 00:40:38,755 Are the perceptions of disabled riders in motorsport beginning to change? 572 00:40:41,291 --> 00:40:45,527 Um, I think it's certainly been a lot more successful. 573 00:40:45,529 --> 00:40:49,330 It's created a lot of awareness of the team and everything. 574 00:40:49,332 --> 00:40:53,768 It's a lot more successful than I 575 00:40:53,770 --> 00:40:55,937 perhaps even thought, 576 00:40:55,939 --> 00:40:57,740 or imagined it would be. 577 00:40:57,742 --> 00:41:01,443 It's definitely really impressive. 578 00:41:01,445 --> 00:41:03,680 I feel very good to sort of just keep it. 579 00:41:03,682 --> 00:41:05,914 Let me know the information on a kind of need to know basis. 580 00:41:05,916 --> 00:41:09,252 So, the information that's given to me is that he had a good ride, 581 00:41:09,254 --> 00:41:11,087 there's not been too many problems, 582 00:41:11,089 --> 00:41:14,959 and then when he comes home he says, "Yeah, I've come off, 583 00:41:14,961 --> 00:41:19,395 "and I have hurt myself a little bit and I have bruised my hips a little bit, 584 00:41:19,397 --> 00:41:21,800 "but I'm fine and I'm ready for the next one." 585 00:41:21,802 --> 00:41:25,070 To be honest, it sounds a little bit cold, but 586 00:41:25,072 --> 00:41:26,972 I've let him get on with it. 587 00:41:26,974 --> 00:41:30,541 At the end of the day, it's not going to stop him. 588 00:41:30,543 --> 00:41:34,145 No matter how hard he falls, he's never gonna stop racing, so 589 00:41:34,147 --> 00:41:39,084 I've got to just have faith in him and let him get out there and do what he enjoys most, 590 00:41:39,086 --> 00:41:40,986 which is, which is this. 591 00:41:40,988 --> 00:41:45,357 I'm glad in that sense, I get left to my own vices, 592 00:41:45,359 --> 00:41:49,195 so I don't have to think too much about Claire 593 00:41:49,197 --> 00:41:50,998 not in a nasty way, 594 00:41:51,000 --> 00:41:54,835 but at the paddock, I don't have to worry if Claire's seen anything nasty, 595 00:41:54,837 --> 00:41:57,603 or any instance that I came off, or anything like that. 596 00:41:57,605 --> 00:42:00,540 It's quite nice to, you know... 597 00:42:00,542 --> 00:42:02,377 I think I've seen the worst that could happen. 598 00:42:02,379 --> 00:42:04,211 While in a race with the boys, 599 00:42:04,213 --> 00:42:08,582 whether you're in a chair or... I just love getting on bikes and racing. 600 00:42:08,584 --> 00:42:11,920 Once people can see we're safe and we're competent, 601 00:42:11,922 --> 00:42:15,491 I think then people will be like, "Okay, yeah." They sit back and start 602 00:42:15,493 --> 00:42:18,494 enjoying our rides and maybe 603 00:42:18,496 --> 00:42:21,663 mention it to someone else, who is in a similar position 604 00:42:21,665 --> 00:42:24,934 of riding or getting back on a bike. 605 00:42:24,936 --> 00:42:28,905 You just got to think slightly outside the box sometimes. 606 00:42:28,907 --> 00:42:33,175 But yeah, I've got here. We're showing a lot of able bodies people, it's great. 607 00:42:33,177 --> 00:42:35,077 It's not until we come back off 608 00:42:35,079 --> 00:42:36,279 and if we get on a wheelchair 609 00:42:36,281 --> 00:42:37,514 and we're wheeling away from there. 610 00:42:37,516 --> 00:42:39,315 What the hell is going on? 611 00:42:39,317 --> 00:42:42,786 Uh, all right. Okay. And then they start to, you know, 612 00:42:42,788 --> 00:42:46,426 they come to say, "Great race." or compliment you on the riding. 613 00:42:51,231 --> 00:42:55,200 What I've really enjoyed, which I didn't think I would, 614 00:42:55,202 --> 00:42:59,104 is the camaraderie of the other racers. 615 00:42:59,106 --> 00:43:04,410 I've really enjoyed getting to know the other racers, 616 00:43:04,412 --> 00:43:06,745 and getting to banter with them. 617 00:43:06,747 --> 00:43:10,549 And that's what's driven me to want to 618 00:43:10,551 --> 00:43:12,285 not beat, but I suppose beat them. 619 00:43:12,287 --> 00:43:14,655 You'd be mad if you didn't want to see a progression. 620 00:43:14,657 --> 00:43:18,858 You'd be mad if you didn't want to see some sort of development. 621 00:43:18,860 --> 00:43:22,329 And that's where that's coming from. 622 00:43:22,331 --> 00:43:24,831 And I'm learning stuff every weekend. 623 00:43:24,833 --> 00:43:27,234 Every weekend we race, I'm learning stuff. 624 00:43:27,236 --> 00:43:30,171 I'm learning stuff about myself, I'm learning stuff about the bike. 625 00:43:30,173 --> 00:43:36,743 Some of it has been hard, some of it has been like a kick in the balls, 626 00:43:36,745 --> 00:43:40,516 and others have been really great. 627 00:43:40,518 --> 00:43:44,186 Yeah, I feel the racers have completely accepted us. 628 00:43:44,188 --> 00:43:46,621 We're taken at face value. 629 00:43:46,623 --> 00:43:52,798 When we're out on circuit it's just us and them. Soon as the lights go out 630 00:43:54,466 --> 00:43:58,100 the crew are this side of the barrier, and we are out there riding. 631 00:43:58,102 --> 00:43:59,669 There is no option but for us all 632 00:43:59,671 --> 00:44:02,408 to be there together at that point and you really feel like 633 00:44:03,877 --> 00:44:07,545 you're competing with them on all the same terms. 634 00:44:07,547 --> 00:44:11,681 You know, it's the same terms. No one's cutting anyone any slack. 635 00:44:11,683 --> 00:44:14,987 I'm certainly trying as hard as I can. I'm pretty sure they are trying as hard as they can. 636 00:44:17,258 --> 00:44:20,225 The summer heat brings a new problem for disabled riders. 637 00:44:20,227 --> 00:44:21,926 Although it may seem just for show, 638 00:44:21,928 --> 00:44:25,530 there is actually a more serious side behind having group girls. 639 00:44:25,532 --> 00:44:28,033 I can't control my body temperature. 640 00:44:28,035 --> 00:44:32,071 Once it gets above a certain celsius, 641 00:44:32,073 --> 00:44:34,206 I think somewhere around about 20/24, 642 00:44:34,208 --> 00:44:40,513 then I start having real problems maintaining my body temperature and keeping cool. 643 00:44:40,515 --> 00:44:44,251 So, if I'm sat out on the bike, waiting for the race to start, 644 00:44:44,253 --> 00:44:47,720 because we have to be there nice and early, so we don't hold up the race, 645 00:44:47,722 --> 00:44:50,356 then I do need shelter from the sun, 646 00:44:50,358 --> 00:44:53,761 or else I'll start overheating. I'm sat in leathers, I've got my helmet on, 647 00:44:53,763 --> 00:44:56,897 I've got my gloves on. It's really gonna be a problem for me. 648 00:44:56,899 --> 00:45:01,435 So, medically, I need to be protected from the heat. 649 00:45:01,437 --> 00:45:04,207 So, tat would mean that they are pretty important. 650 00:45:08,713 --> 00:45:12,882 Back at the garage, Talan has returned following a crash. 651 00:45:12,884 --> 00:45:15,952 All bikes have to go back to scrutiny bay to inspect the damage. 652 00:45:15,954 --> 00:45:19,055 You know, what we need to repair to make the bike safe again. 653 00:45:19,057 --> 00:45:23,694 Well, he's now taking off all the plastics and stuff. 654 00:45:23,696 --> 00:45:25,995 We have to do this outside the awning, 655 00:45:25,997 --> 00:45:31,167 'cause there's stones and there's grass and all sorts of stuff everywhere. 656 00:45:31,169 --> 00:45:32,670 Don't want it in the garage. 657 00:45:32,672 --> 00:45:35,606 We now need to inspect what damage has been created, 658 00:45:35,608 --> 00:45:40,978 but initially what we can see is because the bike's gone straight into the rector cell, 659 00:45:40,980 --> 00:45:44,350 it's taken all the brunt of the impact on the front end. 660 00:45:44,352 --> 00:45:46,752 Uh, so we're now looking at the... 661 00:45:46,754 --> 00:45:49,758 We're now looking at a very twisted front wheel. 662 00:45:51,758 --> 00:45:56,127 Took a tumble. I went head first into some barriers. 663 00:45:56,129 --> 00:46:00,866 Fortunately, they were nice foam barriers, but I must have hit it at 50 miles an hour. 664 00:46:00,868 --> 00:46:05,639 Went from fifty to zero in the spate of four feet. 665 00:46:05,641 --> 00:46:09,542 So I think I'm a little bit shorter now, 'cause I got hit on the head. 666 00:46:09,544 --> 00:46:12,213 I've got a very sore neck, sore back. 667 00:46:12,215 --> 00:46:17,718 Luckily, we've checked the body out. I don't seem to have broken anything. 668 00:46:17,720 --> 00:46:22,757 I've got some swelling on my knee where I impacted, but I went in head first 669 00:46:22,759 --> 00:46:28,697 and when everything settled, the bike was on top of me facing the opposite direction. 670 00:46:28,699 --> 00:46:31,736 So, I don't know how that happened. I just shut my eyes. 671 00:46:33,737 --> 00:46:37,807 Just been to go see the guys at 100 percent suspension, 672 00:46:37,809 --> 00:46:42,544 because I need some form of confirmation that the forks are straight. 673 00:46:42,546 --> 00:46:47,350 He's done a quick check to make sure they feel okay and they do feel pucker. 674 00:46:47,352 --> 00:46:49,786 The next step is for me to take it around the paddock 675 00:46:49,788 --> 00:46:52,491 and drive it and make sure it tracks in a straight line. 676 00:46:54,192 --> 00:46:56,592 And then, all things being okay, 677 00:46:56,594 --> 00:46:59,367 then I'll give it a green light and Talan can go back out on it. 678 00:47:01,835 --> 00:47:03,534 We got the bike fixed. 679 00:47:03,536 --> 00:47:08,708 I went out and raced and certainly I was nervous for the first race having just crashed. 680 00:47:10,110 --> 00:47:12,143 But, stayed upright, 681 00:47:12,145 --> 00:47:16,047 gradually rebuilt my confidence in the second race of the day. 682 00:47:16,049 --> 00:47:21,520 I was back on it and it's been a fantastic day. 683 00:47:21,522 --> 00:47:26,159 And now I'm full of confidence to take the bike forwards 684 00:47:26,161 --> 00:47:29,128 to the other race meets throughout the rest of the year. 685 00:47:29,130 --> 00:47:32,132 And to really battle, 686 00:47:32,134 --> 00:47:37,537 uh, you know, with those that I'm competing with. 687 00:47:37,539 --> 00:47:41,676 It's not just myself that's riding. 688 00:47:41,678 --> 00:47:46,580 There are now two other riders, soon to be three. 689 00:47:46,582 --> 00:47:49,284 And then there's all the support staff, 690 00:47:49,286 --> 00:47:53,088 And then there's everybody the team has inspired. 691 00:47:53,090 --> 00:47:56,090 There's got to be so many more riders. 692 00:47:56,092 --> 00:47:59,795 I mean, since I've been doing this, 693 00:47:59,797 --> 00:48:02,932 there are now four paralyzed riders in the UK 694 00:48:02,934 --> 00:48:06,638 competing against able bodied. And that's wonderful. 695 00:48:11,910 --> 00:48:15,010 The Bike Experience is a charity founded by Talan. 696 00:48:15,013 --> 00:48:18,681 It's where the concept of disabled race team was born. 697 00:48:18,683 --> 00:48:23,087 Today, his parents have come to watch it for the first time. 698 00:48:23,089 --> 00:48:27,959 As soon as I got back on a motorcycle, I knew the feelings that I had 699 00:48:27,961 --> 00:48:32,196 that there have got to be other people out there that would want to have the same. 700 00:48:32,198 --> 00:48:33,798 So I set up The Bike Experience. 701 00:48:33,800 --> 00:48:37,635 It's a charity and we teach disabled motorcyclists how to ride again. 702 00:48:37,637 --> 00:48:39,138 And over the past four years, 703 00:48:39,140 --> 00:48:43,909 we've taught 140 disabled motorcyclists how to get back on bikes. 704 00:48:43,911 --> 00:48:48,214 I'm so proud of his achievements with The Bike Experience. 705 00:48:48,216 --> 00:48:51,952 I really am, because I go on Facebook, 706 00:48:51,954 --> 00:48:55,588 that's how we find out about these things, you know, we're the mum and dad. 707 00:48:55,590 --> 00:48:57,458 No, no, we don't know too much. 708 00:48:57,460 --> 00:49:02,796 I see pictures of people arriving with rather worried looking expressions, nervous. 709 00:49:02,798 --> 00:49:07,201 Then I see them leaving with big coat hanger grins, and I think, "Well done, Talan. 710 00:49:07,203 --> 00:49:10,705 "You've inspired them. They've got something to live for." 711 00:49:10,707 --> 00:49:17,112 This is the first time for Freddie, she's seeing The Bike Experience, 712 00:49:17,114 --> 00:49:20,416 and I saw one in the early years, 713 00:49:20,418 --> 00:49:23,251 and subsequent to that, I have seen him race. 714 00:49:23,253 --> 00:49:25,521 He didn't go straight into motor-racing. 715 00:49:25,523 --> 00:49:28,456 It was The Bike Experience first, and then he thought, 716 00:49:28,458 --> 00:49:31,595 "Oh, wonderful. Love it. Love the speed." 717 00:49:31,597 --> 00:49:35,698 Next challenge, "Oh, I wonder if I could race." 718 00:49:35,700 --> 00:49:39,970 I wasn't ecstatic about the racing, uh, but, 719 00:49:39,972 --> 00:49:43,574 he's our son, we want him to live life to the full. 720 00:49:43,576 --> 00:49:47,143 We want him to have as much excitement 721 00:49:47,145 --> 00:49:50,380 and to meet new challenges as possible. 722 00:49:50,382 --> 00:49:56,787 But I simply find it too painful to actually come to the race track 723 00:49:56,789 --> 00:50:02,294 and watch my son hurtling around at 100 and something miles an hour. 724 00:50:02,296 --> 00:50:06,131 It's not that I don't support and understand 725 00:50:06,133 --> 00:50:11,670 his desire for speed and challenge. I do. And I do support him. 726 00:50:11,672 --> 00:50:14,407 But, at the back of my mind always is... 727 00:50:14,409 --> 00:50:18,110 Well, he falls, he comes off, 728 00:50:18,112 --> 00:50:21,515 at the moment I consider him lucky, 729 00:50:21,517 --> 00:50:24,350 because he's just injured from T4. 730 00:50:24,352 --> 00:50:29,722 He has full movement from the shoulders up. He has excellent brain and excellent wit. 731 00:50:29,724 --> 00:50:35,730 And I think, "My goodness, what if he damages that part of his body?" 732 00:50:35,732 --> 00:50:40,734 His whole face shines and lights up when he shows us 733 00:50:40,736 --> 00:50:43,905 clips from his race days, but I... 734 00:50:43,907 --> 00:50:48,644 Perhaps one day I will really get over this silly business and I will come and cheer him on. 735 00:50:48,646 --> 00:50:51,847 I know Peter was hugely supportive. 736 00:50:51,849 --> 00:50:56,386 And I am, but I haven't actually managed to get here physically, yet, 737 00:50:56,388 --> 00:50:59,659 to cheer him on. Perhaps one day I will. 738 00:51:02,761 --> 00:51:07,300 Today, the fourth rider of the team, Will, is taking his ACU license. 739 00:51:08,533 --> 00:51:11,635 So, I've come to Darley Moor today to, um, 740 00:51:11,637 --> 00:51:16,941 take part in the ACU race license application theory and practical test. 741 00:51:16,943 --> 00:51:21,179 Once you've partaken in this course, it then allows you to go on and race. 742 00:51:21,181 --> 00:51:23,748 Motorcycle to any national events, 743 00:51:23,750 --> 00:51:25,683 you have to come here for assessment 744 00:51:25,685 --> 00:51:27,151 just to make sure you're competent. 745 00:51:27,153 --> 00:51:29,254 Competent and safe. 746 00:51:29,256 --> 00:51:31,957 It was getting harder and harder for me to come to the race meetings 747 00:51:31,959 --> 00:51:36,061 and see those good guys go off and clearly having an amazing time. 748 00:51:36,063 --> 00:51:39,699 And I've always wanted to do it, and 749 00:51:39,701 --> 00:51:43,469 being privileged enough to be in a situation where that was a real opportunity. 750 00:51:43,471 --> 00:51:49,042 So, Talan was a driving force, pushing me down this path, 751 00:51:49,044 --> 00:51:51,111 and so I thought I'd grab it. 752 00:51:51,113 --> 00:51:56,116 I will miss the mechanicing, and mucking about on my ass and belly, 753 00:51:56,118 --> 00:52:00,257 but hopefully this is going to go well. 754 00:52:03,226 --> 00:52:06,328 I always knew there was something intoxicating about fast cars, 755 00:52:06,330 --> 00:52:09,630 or things that went fast, whether it be planes, trains or auto wheels. 756 00:52:09,632 --> 00:52:14,236 If it had moving parts, if it was machinery, I was... 757 00:52:14,238 --> 00:52:17,573 that was my thing. I was really, really into it. 758 00:52:17,575 --> 00:52:20,876 Even when I was a small kid, I'd pull the toaster to pieces. 759 00:52:20,878 --> 00:52:26,049 and on Sunday morning your parents come home and there's just bits everywhere. 760 00:52:26,051 --> 00:52:30,219 As soon as I put my helmet on for the very first time on my bike, I was like, 761 00:52:30,221 --> 00:52:35,692 "Yeah, this is me. This is gonna be... if not my only thing, 762 00:52:35,694 --> 00:52:37,628 "certainly a big part of my life." 763 00:52:37,630 --> 00:52:42,800 And then, it got under the skin and I just wanted more of it. 764 00:52:42,802 --> 00:52:48,472 I want to experience everything about the culture and try every different style. 765 00:52:48,474 --> 00:52:50,308 Like food, you want to try everything. 766 00:52:50,310 --> 00:52:55,614 And it went on from there. So yeah, it's been a part of my life ever since. 767 00:52:55,616 --> 00:53:01,722 You can have ten-hundred thousand miles of riding your bike and it'll all be fine. 768 00:53:01,724 --> 00:53:06,226 But the thing that is important is the one time it goes really badly wrong... 769 00:53:06,228 --> 00:53:07,961 We were just pootling away home. 770 00:53:07,963 --> 00:53:14,401 And as we came off the M25 on to the M4, we were going back towards Hammersmith, 771 00:53:14,403 --> 00:53:16,303 the front just went away. 772 00:53:16,305 --> 00:53:20,174 And then I had a very short trip from the... 773 00:53:20,176 --> 00:53:23,710 from the carriageway underneath the armco. 774 00:53:23,712 --> 00:53:27,615 That's what happened to me. The reason I lost my limb 775 00:53:27,617 --> 00:53:31,452 is because I shattered the right side of my pelvis 776 00:53:31,454 --> 00:53:34,188 into about 12 different pieces. 777 00:53:34,190 --> 00:53:36,657 My friends obviously... 778 00:53:36,659 --> 00:53:40,196 Couldn't have done it without them. They were just fantastic. 779 00:53:40,198 --> 00:53:45,935 And I didn't make it easy for them, you know. I think I tried to brush it off 780 00:53:45,937 --> 00:53:50,540 for the most part. I think, when I'd sort of... 781 00:53:50,542 --> 00:53:53,210 worked out who I was again, 782 00:53:53,212 --> 00:53:56,846 I just tried to shrug it off as, "It's just a flesh wound. Just a flesh wound. 783 00:53:56,848 --> 00:53:59,315 "Oh, don't worry about it. I've got another one. I got another leg. 784 00:53:59,317 --> 00:54:01,518 "Don't worry about it. It's fine. It's fine. It's fine." 785 00:54:01,520 --> 00:54:06,825 But, you know, I was... I was broken... 786 00:54:06,827 --> 00:54:09,731 mentally. And it took me a very long time to 787 00:54:11,198 --> 00:54:12,734 work that out. 788 00:54:15,769 --> 00:54:17,469 So, my partner was amazing. 789 00:54:17,471 --> 00:54:23,609 She was inspirational in my support, 790 00:54:23,611 --> 00:54:28,648 and helped me get back to normality. 791 00:54:28,650 --> 00:54:32,789 I'm amazed at how people can bounce back, and how resilient they are. 792 00:54:33,789 --> 00:54:36,055 From going... 793 00:54:36,057 --> 00:54:39,292 My eyes weren't really, truly opened until I had my accident, 794 00:54:39,294 --> 00:54:42,063 and then you sort of see it through a different lens. 795 00:54:42,065 --> 00:54:47,502 And you see how people deal with various different situations. 796 00:54:47,504 --> 00:54:49,170 And I'm amazed at how they bounce back. 797 00:54:49,172 --> 00:54:54,443 So, I never cease to be amazed at how resilient people can be 798 00:54:54,445 --> 00:54:56,445 in face of massive adversity. 799 00:54:56,447 --> 00:54:59,447 So, thats' what I try and use. 800 00:54:59,449 --> 00:55:04,153 That's what I try and use to fuel me. I see how everyone else deals with their problems 801 00:55:04,155 --> 00:55:07,593 and they power through it, which empowers me. 802 00:55:10,462 --> 00:55:15,031 Will passes his ACU. He can now race with the team. 803 00:55:15,033 --> 00:55:18,500 The whole idea of the exercise is to get more bums on seats. 804 00:55:18,502 --> 00:55:22,840 And certainly more, with all due respect, disabled bums on seats, 805 00:55:22,842 --> 00:55:25,476 you know, and that's not being nasty about it. 806 00:55:25,478 --> 00:55:28,979 What we've said with Talan, that's what we want to do. 807 00:55:28,981 --> 00:55:34,218 You know, and certainly Shawn myself and medical officer. 808 00:55:34,220 --> 00:55:38,089 We'll do all we can to get as many out there racing as possible. 809 00:55:38,091 --> 00:55:40,058 - You get two certificates. - Oh, I see. 810 00:55:40,060 --> 00:55:42,326 One from this morning, and one from afternoon. 811 00:55:42,328 --> 00:55:43,528 Ah, brilliant. Thank you very much. 812 00:55:43,530 --> 00:55:44,864 You should put it with your license. 813 00:55:44,866 --> 00:55:49,802 I will write to the ACU and notify the ACU 814 00:55:49,804 --> 00:55:52,105 that everything is fine as far as I'm concerned. 815 00:55:52,107 --> 00:55:58,011 I have no worries, I assure them you can be out on the track with riders, 816 00:55:58,013 --> 00:56:01,015 and we can see no reason why you shouldn't be issued 817 00:56:01,017 --> 00:56:04,118 a competitor's license, ASAP. 818 00:56:04,120 --> 00:56:05,352 That's brilliant. Thank you very much. 819 00:56:05,354 --> 00:56:06,756 - All right. Pleasure. - Appreciate it. 820 00:56:15,031 --> 00:56:17,331 Brands Hatch, GP. 821 00:56:17,333 --> 00:56:20,067 The biggest weekend of the year. 822 00:56:20,069 --> 00:56:26,309 The team sponsors will be attending, and it's the first meeting with all four riders. 823 00:56:26,311 --> 00:56:29,914 It's Will's testing day, and his first time on a race circuit. 824 00:56:31,115 --> 00:56:35,351 One of my friend's put it very succinctly. 825 00:56:35,353 --> 00:56:40,623 He said, "I forget with you. I forget that you're 826 00:56:40,625 --> 00:56:44,161 "disabled..." and here it comes again, "I forget... 827 00:56:44,163 --> 00:56:48,700 "because you just seem to get around 828 00:56:48,702 --> 00:56:51,839 "most problems, you work to have things work, because you... 829 00:56:53,106 --> 00:56:54,539 "Because you move around the way you do, 830 00:56:54,541 --> 00:56:56,441 "because you interact with the world the way you do, 831 00:56:56,443 --> 00:56:58,376 "I just forget about it." 832 00:56:58,378 --> 00:57:04,616 Whereas with Talan and Steve, you can't forget they're in the wheelchair, 833 00:57:04,618 --> 00:57:08,790 because it's part of them and they are... 834 00:57:09,790 --> 00:57:14,961 They have so much more to get around, 835 00:57:14,963 --> 00:57:17,896 I can't imagine how much more difficult it is. 836 00:57:17,898 --> 00:57:23,973 So, I consider myself very lucky that people could spend time with me and forget 837 00:57:24,941 --> 00:57:26,573 from time to time. 838 00:57:54,405 --> 00:57:57,973 News comes in over the radio that there's a rider down. 839 00:57:57,975 --> 00:58:02,413 So, rider 117, Will Swift has come off just going into Druids, I believe. 840 00:58:02,415 --> 00:58:08,317 I don't know the extent of what's happened. Whether it was mechanical or rider error. 841 00:58:08,319 --> 00:58:11,889 I'm assuming it's rider error, 'cause he's new to the track. 842 00:58:11,891 --> 00:58:17,028 So, just going to drive over to the med center, Brands Hatch, 843 00:58:17,030 --> 00:58:20,597 which sadly is the furthest possible way from us. 844 00:58:20,599 --> 00:58:24,736 And, yeah. So, it's just over there. 845 00:58:24,738 --> 00:58:27,940 But I'm told he's relatively okay. 846 00:58:27,942 --> 00:58:30,645 The team will just check out the bike, see if it's all right. 847 00:58:32,312 --> 00:58:35,047 The first session on my own 848 00:58:35,049 --> 00:58:40,220 and just trying out a slightly different game to the first turn. 849 00:58:40,222 --> 00:58:43,626 Uh, Cranneg curve... I mean Paddock Hill, 850 00:58:45,660 --> 00:58:50,197 Pitching my speed slightly too far to the left, 851 00:58:50,199 --> 00:58:52,632 and as it drops down the corner tightens up. 852 00:58:52,634 --> 00:58:54,935 I ended up sort of being, drifting further and further 853 00:58:54,937 --> 00:58:58,940 out to the left hand side, um... 854 00:58:58,942 --> 00:59:02,977 Probably could have just thrown the bike then, it probably would have gone around all right. 855 00:59:02,979 --> 00:59:06,951 But, as I... Oh... 856 00:59:08,485 --> 00:59:10,284 Fortunately, Will is okay. 857 00:59:10,286 --> 00:59:13,554 It's not uncommon for a rookie to crash in their first meeting. 858 00:59:13,556 --> 00:59:15,189 But it's an indication that he 859 00:59:15,191 --> 00:59:17,696 needs to build up his speed with more progression next time. 860 00:59:22,167 --> 00:59:23,966 Race day. 861 00:59:23,968 --> 00:59:28,303 With the team sponsor spectating, it's important for everything to run smoothly. 862 00:59:28,305 --> 00:59:32,242 Okay, so it's Saturday. It's the Grands GP. The sun is shining. 863 00:59:32,244 --> 00:59:36,880 We've got about 75 guests turned up from various different sponsors. 864 00:59:36,882 --> 00:59:42,187 Um, Steve has gone out and he's crashed over in, I believe it's Sheen's, 865 00:59:42,189 --> 00:59:44,955 which is over there. It's on the GP part. 866 00:59:44,957 --> 00:59:47,959 Another rider down so soon is very concerning. 867 00:59:47,961 --> 00:59:51,395 It's really difficult at this point to find out what went wrong. 868 00:59:51,397 --> 00:59:55,867 But we're trying to shield that at the moment from the sponsors because it's chaos out there. 869 00:59:55,869 --> 01:00:00,239 We don't know how bad it is. So, what we're gonna do is have a word with Steve, 870 01:00:00,241 --> 01:00:02,440 see how he is. 871 01:00:02,442 --> 01:00:06,946 Um, we've got some VIPs going out down to the garage while it's quiet. 872 01:00:06,948 --> 01:00:12,185 Um, and... we're just gonna try and keep this bad news 873 01:00:12,187 --> 01:00:16,789 away from them, because they've come to see 874 01:00:16,791 --> 01:00:19,761 some spectacular racing with an inspirational team, 875 01:00:19,763 --> 01:00:25,866 and while this is the reality of it is that, you know, incidents happen. 876 01:00:25,868 --> 01:00:29,707 We don't want them to get a bad flavor from it, so. 877 01:00:30,774 --> 01:00:33,809 I'm a little bit worried, if I'm honest... 878 01:00:33,811 --> 01:00:38,182 because this will really knock Steve's confidence. 879 01:00:38,883 --> 01:00:40,082 He really doesn't need it. 880 01:00:40,084 --> 01:00:43,288 The team doesn't need it. We had Will come off yesterday. 881 01:00:44,957 --> 01:00:48,895 And, all in all, it's just not good. 882 01:00:50,629 --> 01:00:54,797 We shouldn't have this amount of riders coming off this frequently. 883 01:00:54,799 --> 01:00:59,438 So, I'll be having a meeting later on with Simon Darnton, our performance coach. 884 01:01:01,206 --> 01:01:05,776 And Dan, myself, all the riders, 885 01:01:05,778 --> 01:01:09,181 we really need to get together and find out why... 886 01:01:09,183 --> 01:01:11,850 what is causing these offs... 887 01:01:11,852 --> 01:01:13,484 Is it... 888 01:01:13,486 --> 01:01:17,288 Is it lack of prep, lack of practice? 889 01:01:17,290 --> 01:01:21,225 Knowledge, is it mechanical? 890 01:01:21,227 --> 01:01:23,795 So, that's where we are right now. 891 01:01:23,797 --> 01:01:25,431 So I'm gonna go in, have a word with him, 892 01:01:25,433 --> 01:01:27,503 see if he's okay. Hopefully, he is. 893 01:01:31,206 --> 01:01:36,176 Go down to the paddock on a part of the track that's unknown to him. 894 01:01:36,178 --> 01:01:41,682 We've had a situation where we've been reported by them. He's come round a machine curve, 895 01:01:41,684 --> 01:01:45,519 and he's lost control of the bike and he's in the gravel trap. 896 01:01:45,521 --> 01:01:50,224 So, we roll on tender hooks for a short while. Make sure the rider is okay. 897 01:01:50,226 --> 01:01:52,259 We soon had word back that he's okay. 898 01:01:52,261 --> 01:01:56,630 He's at the medical suite and he's absolutely fine. 899 01:01:56,632 --> 01:02:00,568 Brands Hatch, fantastic run off areas. Very, very safe circuit. 900 01:02:00,570 --> 01:02:04,839 So, where' he's come off, he's gonna land in the gravel trap. 901 01:02:04,841 --> 01:02:09,312 He's gonna tumble across a little bit, but the safety areas have done their job. 902 01:02:09,314 --> 01:02:15,118 Unfortunately now, from my point of view, we got a bit of a smashed up bike. 903 01:02:15,120 --> 01:02:16,786 So right now, the team's got a bit of work to do. 904 01:02:16,788 --> 01:02:19,623 But they enjoy it. That's why they're here. 905 01:02:19,625 --> 01:02:22,558 So, at least they got something to play with. 906 01:02:22,560 --> 01:02:25,296 Steve is okay, but the bike is damaged. 907 01:02:25,298 --> 01:02:29,966 The team gets to work on rebuilding it so Steve can race in the afternoon session. 908 01:02:29,968 --> 01:02:32,503 Although safety and rider welfare is paramount, 909 01:02:32,505 --> 01:02:36,741 it's important to ensure all the riders go out and the sponsor is happy. 910 01:02:36,743 --> 01:02:41,246 The team are treated no differently to an able bodied team by potential sponsors. 911 01:02:47,788 --> 01:02:50,989 Among the sponsors, Talan's parents have turned up. 912 01:02:50,992 --> 01:02:54,630 It's a surprise decision for his mum to watch him race for the first time. 913 01:02:58,066 --> 01:03:04,374 You need to be in the right mental place to go out and race. 914 01:03:05,875 --> 01:03:09,777 And one of the things that I do 915 01:03:09,779 --> 01:03:15,217 is a routine that takes me to somewhere where I'm happy. 916 01:03:15,219 --> 01:03:18,052 'cause I believe if you're happy, you will perform well. 917 01:03:18,054 --> 01:03:20,921 If you're worried or concerned, you won't perform well. 918 01:03:20,923 --> 01:03:25,626 And the other thing I do is, I always ask my brother to come and ride pillion with me. 919 01:03:25,628 --> 01:03:28,997 My brother passed away Christmas of 2008, 920 01:03:28,999 --> 01:03:36,805 and it was a very difficult thing to come to terms with. 921 01:03:36,807 --> 01:03:42,846 When I was racing in, uh, in Assen in Holland, 922 01:03:42,848 --> 01:03:46,048 I had a really bad accident and high-sided, 923 01:03:46,050 --> 01:03:49,286 and I remained strapped to the bike, and the bike somersaulted down the road. 924 01:03:49,288 --> 01:03:52,156 I was just obliterated into the tarmac. 925 01:03:52,158 --> 01:03:56,363 As I was flying through the air and the bike somersaulting, 926 01:03:56,930 --> 01:03:59,129 before I impacted, 927 01:03:59,131 --> 01:04:03,501 I had this sensation, this feeling that my brother was there 928 01:04:03,503 --> 01:04:06,938 and that he put his arms around me and he held onto me. 929 01:04:06,940 --> 01:04:08,674 He protected me. 930 01:04:08,676 --> 01:04:14,179 So now every time I go out, I mentally take myself somewhere happy, 931 01:04:14,181 --> 01:04:19,286 and then I always ask him to come and ride pillion with me. 932 01:04:21,657 --> 01:04:25,124 Dem Demati, Jonathan Kingston, Rick Lindes, 933 01:04:25,126 --> 01:04:29,663 Talan Skeels-Piggins, who is the rider at the back at 26. 934 01:04:29,665 --> 01:04:34,034 Now unfortunately for Talan, he won't be starting 26 on the grid. 935 01:04:34,036 --> 01:04:38,442 Talan unfortunately is a disabled rider. He's a paraplegic. 936 01:04:48,552 --> 01:04:51,186 It challenges me every time. 937 01:04:51,188 --> 01:04:55,024 I have to have a good start. I have to try and fight my way through. 938 01:04:55,026 --> 01:05:00,663 And it's the same in life, you know. We have to fight our way through life. 939 01:05:00,665 --> 01:05:02,699 It's not easy. It's not a given. 940 01:05:02,701 --> 01:05:08,137 And, often, the difficult journeys that we take are 941 01:05:08,139 --> 01:05:09,942 far more rewarding. 942 01:05:25,424 --> 01:05:27,127 Yeah! 943 01:05:43,677 --> 01:05:45,511 It was very good! 944 01:06:05,235 --> 01:06:09,838 What goes on in this team is absolutely unique and very, very special. 945 01:06:09,840 --> 01:06:12,274 Talan and I go back a long way. We were at school together. 946 01:06:12,276 --> 01:06:17,046 And, it's kinda weird realizing that I'm the person who's known him longest 947 01:06:17,048 --> 01:06:20,416 out of everybody that's around him now cause the team is so close. 948 01:06:20,418 --> 01:06:25,654 I am always humbled by the people that I see in that garage. 949 01:06:25,656 --> 01:06:27,357 Not just Talan... 950 01:06:27,359 --> 01:06:31,226 Not just Talan, but you know, Steve, Will, Louis... 951 01:06:31,228 --> 01:06:35,231 They've overcome stuff that I could never 952 01:06:35,233 --> 01:06:40,972 would never want to imagine having to deal with, and they're here doing this. 953 01:06:40,974 --> 01:06:46,777 So, it's a fantastic two fingers up, to fate. 954 01:06:46,779 --> 01:06:49,947 You know, but it just demonstrates utterly what I believe, 955 01:06:49,949 --> 01:06:53,284 which is that you have a choice, you absolutely always have a choice. 956 01:06:53,286 --> 01:06:57,922 You have a choice about how to deal with life, a choice about how to react to situations. 957 01:06:57,924 --> 01:07:01,130 You can either choose to live, or you can choose to die. 958 01:07:02,731 --> 01:07:04,197 Yeah, it was a great weekend. 959 01:07:04,199 --> 01:07:07,166 Friday was quite worrying. We've had Will of, 960 01:07:07,168 --> 01:07:11,374 and that was quite a big blow for him. That really shook his confidence. 961 01:07:13,008 --> 01:07:16,743 Uh, pretty much destroyed that bike. I mean, most of it went in the bin. 962 01:07:16,745 --> 01:07:19,513 Uh, totally unusable. 963 01:07:19,515 --> 01:07:24,184 Then, Saturday morning, we had Steve off, first round, 964 01:07:24,186 --> 01:07:26,854 or first lap, unbelievable. 965 01:07:26,856 --> 01:07:31,291 Turned out it was actually a mechanical failure... 966 01:07:31,293 --> 01:07:36,464 which, we didn't see it, and I take that on board. 967 01:07:36,466 --> 01:07:41,937 Something we should have checked way before, but that's just the way it is. 968 01:07:41,939 --> 01:07:44,473 We can't check absolutely everything every single time. 969 01:07:44,475 --> 01:07:49,612 We don't have the time or the manpower at this point. 970 01:07:49,614 --> 01:07:52,014 So, Steve is okay. That's the main thing. 971 01:07:52,016 --> 01:07:55,418 He was a little bit bruised... more bruised ego than anything else. 972 01:07:55,420 --> 01:07:59,922 At least he felt better that it wasn't his fault, and it wasn't rider error. 973 01:07:59,924 --> 01:08:03,794 First time that Talan's parents have seen him race, 974 01:08:03,796 --> 01:08:06,296 that's his mum, anyway... 975 01:08:06,298 --> 01:08:10,167 and I think she was just totally stunned by what she was watching. 976 01:08:10,169 --> 01:08:14,505 I don't think she appreciated the magnitude, the amount, 977 01:08:14,507 --> 01:08:18,043 really, the amount of effort that goes in, how big the team is, 978 01:08:18,045 --> 01:08:22,347 how much work we all put in to making it work for him. 979 01:08:22,349 --> 01:08:24,182 And, it's just the core team. 980 01:08:24,184 --> 01:08:28,420 Just great people pulling together. Bear in mind, they're not getting paid for this. 981 01:08:28,422 --> 01:08:30,756 Nobody's getting paid. We're all volunteers. 982 01:08:30,758 --> 01:08:38,497 But it's amazing what a group of people with one idea can do and really push forward. 983 01:08:38,499 --> 01:08:42,702 I just can't say "thank you" enough to them, really. 984 01:08:42,704 --> 01:08:45,872 It's been a successful weekend, and despite challenges, 985 01:08:45,874 --> 01:08:48,944 the team have pulled together in a remarkable effort. 986 01:08:51,749 --> 01:08:53,648 The team's profile is growing. 987 01:08:53,650 --> 01:08:56,484 Talan is being lent a bike by Suzuki. 988 01:08:56,486 --> 01:08:58,886 It's a huge achievement and recognition. 989 01:08:58,888 --> 01:09:02,824 We've come here to collect a motorbike. It's a GSX-R600. 990 01:09:02,826 --> 01:09:08,530 Suzuki is sponsoring me by loaning me a bike for the coming year. 991 01:09:08,532 --> 01:09:12,935 So I'll be able to use it to race here in the UK and also abroad. 992 01:09:12,937 --> 01:09:16,507 I've had quite a few conversations with a lot of different people, 993 01:09:16,509 --> 01:09:21,410 and they all thought that my riding style, 994 01:09:21,412 --> 01:09:26,485 my injury level, it all sort of fits the GSX-R600. 995 01:09:28,220 --> 01:09:29,790 Is this it? 996 01:09:31,958 --> 01:09:33,728 Oh, look at it! 997 01:09:42,969 --> 01:09:44,338 Oh! 998 01:09:45,472 --> 01:09:48,373 It's been stripped down a little bit, 999 01:09:48,375 --> 01:09:54,013 but obviously, you know, it'll very quickly be covered over with the race fare, 1000 01:09:54,015 --> 01:09:59,119 and the bits and pieces that we're gonna be doing to the bike, so... 1001 01:09:59,121 --> 01:10:03,989 If you consider the past year, you know, a year ago I was... 1002 01:10:03,991 --> 01:10:08,562 Just over a year ago, I was struggling by myself, and then had Anthony come along, and 1003 01:10:08,564 --> 01:10:13,767 help secure some sponsorship and then we gradually started to take steps froward. 1004 01:10:13,769 --> 01:10:19,473 But now, having Suzuki helping me, you know, it's really incredible. 1005 01:10:19,475 --> 01:10:28,082 And I hope it can grow and develop. And who knows what the future holds? 1006 01:10:28,084 --> 01:10:32,689 I have, I suppose, the easy job. I just sit on the bike and race it. 1007 01:10:32,691 --> 01:10:35,761 You know, a lot of the hard work goes on behind the scenes. 1008 01:10:36,695 --> 01:10:40,533 Generating the money that it costs to race. 1009 01:10:43,067 --> 01:10:46,604 Each rider has had to overcome difficult periods in their life. 1010 01:10:46,606 --> 01:10:49,910 Inspiration can come in many forms when faced with adversity. 1011 01:10:51,244 --> 01:10:54,611 I think I heard Jack Savoretti's album, 1012 01:10:54,613 --> 01:10:58,115 one of his songs, Without You on the radio... 1013 01:10:58,117 --> 01:11:03,187 And I heard it probably half a year before I had the accident. 1014 01:11:03,189 --> 01:11:07,758 But during the period, the rehab period, 1015 01:11:07,760 --> 01:11:11,796 the only way to help you sleep in the evenings was to put the album on loud, 1016 01:11:11,798 --> 01:11:15,636 on repeat, and that would just send me off to sleep. 1017 01:11:17,939 --> 01:11:21,473 It's been arranged for Steve to meet Jack Savoretti. 1018 01:11:21,476 --> 01:11:24,577 Can't wait. Hopefully, I won't waffle too much. 1019 01:11:24,579 --> 01:11:29,782 I can't wait to see him. He's an amazing guy and an amazing musician. 1020 01:11:29,784 --> 01:11:31,550 Hi, there. How are you? 1021 01:11:31,552 --> 01:11:33,019 Not too bad, man. How are you? 1022 01:11:33,021 --> 01:11:34,822 - Great to meet you. How are you doing? - And you. 1023 01:11:34,824 --> 01:11:37,324 Yeah, not too bad. Thank you very much for... 1024 01:11:37,326 --> 01:11:38,893 for agreeing to see me. 1025 01:11:38,895 --> 01:11:39,993 Don't be silly. 1026 01:11:39,995 --> 01:11:42,130 - Shocked a bit. - It's nice to see you. 1027 01:11:42,132 --> 01:11:43,730 - Shocked a bit. - It's an awesome story. 1028 01:11:43,732 --> 01:11:48,637 Yeah, it's pretty... From my whole... Obviously how it was... 1029 01:11:48,639 --> 01:11:53,708 from where it started, really, was that song, I was in the workshop before. 1030 01:11:53,710 --> 01:11:57,279 and heard it on the radio, but never heard who the artist was. 1031 01:11:57,281 --> 01:12:00,450 So, all I heard was the whistling tune part of it... 1032 01:12:00,452 --> 01:12:02,451 - God, that's catchy! - That's good, yeah. 1033 01:12:02,453 --> 01:12:06,056 And then I thought, "Oh, okay." It took me a few months, 1034 01:12:06,058 --> 01:12:08,258 probably the beginning of '08. 1035 01:12:08,260 --> 01:12:11,661 I was a little awake before I heard it. It's Jack Savoretti. Great! 1036 01:12:11,663 --> 01:12:16,032 So, I downloaded it, and it was then on constant repeat. 1037 01:12:16,034 --> 01:12:18,268 All the time. All the time. 1038 01:12:18,270 --> 01:12:23,107 And then, I had my bike accident in November, 2008. 1039 01:12:23,109 --> 01:12:24,376 So what happened, exactly? 1040 01:12:24,378 --> 01:12:25,476 Motorbike accident. 1041 01:12:25,478 --> 01:12:27,244 No, I know that. But, what happened? 1042 01:12:27,246 --> 01:12:28,447 How did it happen? 1043 01:12:28,449 --> 01:12:30,515 I was told I'd hit a stationary vehicle. 1044 01:12:30,517 --> 01:12:34,853 A three and a half ton truck, and I'd gone into it with my head 1045 01:12:34,855 --> 01:12:39,391 and the whole impact was on my head. I actually hit my face. 1046 01:12:39,393 --> 01:12:43,229 Basically, everything was shattered and sheared. 1047 01:12:43,231 --> 01:12:46,532 So, I had 21 hour surgery to try and put it all back together. 1048 01:12:46,534 --> 01:12:48,802 Here I had an Alice band but they took it off. 1049 01:12:48,804 --> 01:12:50,070 I can't imagine. 1050 01:12:50,072 --> 01:12:53,640 I was put in an induced coma for three to four days... 1051 01:12:53,642 --> 01:12:58,311 And I died on the table a couple of times. 1052 01:12:58,313 --> 01:13:02,183 So, I'm a lucky guy to still be here, 1053 01:13:02,185 --> 01:13:04,085 and it was... 1054 01:13:04,087 --> 01:13:07,121 I lost my brother-in-law, three years ago to a motorbike accident. 1055 01:13:07,123 --> 01:13:08,622 - It was unfortunate. - I'm sorry to hear that. 1056 01:13:08,624 --> 01:13:11,759 He hadn't done his helmet on properly. 1057 01:13:11,761 --> 01:13:13,630 - So that didn't help. - I'm sorry to hear that. 1058 01:13:14,065 --> 01:13:15,197 Terrible. 1059 01:13:15,199 --> 01:13:16,465 You've had an amazing recovery. 1060 01:13:16,467 --> 01:13:18,200 - Yeah. Thanks to you. - Considering. 1061 01:13:18,202 --> 01:13:19,535 All thanks to you. 1062 01:13:19,537 --> 01:13:21,403 Well, it was the soundtrack. 1063 01:13:21,405 --> 01:13:23,339 I'm not gonna take any credit. 1064 01:13:23,341 --> 01:13:25,875 Okay, a little bit was me. 1065 01:13:25,877 --> 01:13:27,210 I think it was all you. 1066 01:13:27,212 --> 01:13:28,781 Fair enough. 1067 01:13:29,748 --> 01:13:32,181 We were like a little band in the corner. 1068 01:13:32,183 --> 01:13:35,519 It was on every night. But yeah, it was... 1069 01:13:35,521 --> 01:13:40,190 literally, without you, from then... between the mines 1070 01:13:40,192 --> 01:13:41,892 and it was just on constant repeat... 1071 01:13:41,894 --> 01:13:45,596 Obviously in the hospital we hear all the buzz and people are talking... 1072 01:13:45,598 --> 01:13:47,931 So I'd literally put my earphones in. 1073 01:13:47,933 --> 01:13:50,834 Bang. Put it on repeat. It just went over and over, 1074 01:13:50,836 --> 01:13:52,236 and it helped me get to sleep. 1075 01:13:52,238 --> 01:13:54,272 - How long were you in hospital? - Five months. 1076 01:13:54,274 --> 01:13:55,844 Oh, my... Wow! 1077 01:13:57,010 --> 01:14:00,514 So, yeah... That was thanks to you. 1078 01:14:01,549 --> 01:14:04,017 I'm glad we could keep you company. 1079 01:14:04,019 --> 01:14:05,984 Keep each other company. 1080 01:14:05,986 --> 01:14:08,720 It was unbelievable. 1081 01:14:08,722 --> 01:14:11,991 I can't wait to see your gig later. It's gonna be awesome. 1082 01:14:11,993 --> 01:14:14,493 And we'll have a drink after the show. Just in the backstage, 1083 01:14:14,495 --> 01:14:15,995 so we've even got our own little bar. 1084 01:14:15,997 --> 01:14:17,698 Perfect! 1085 01:14:17,700 --> 01:14:21,202 If I can't come and see you and have to drink with you, then its a bad gig. 1086 01:14:21,204 --> 01:14:22,836 - Jack, honestly, thank you. - Nice to meet you. 1087 01:14:22,838 --> 01:14:24,240 I'll see you after the show. 1088 01:14:28,511 --> 01:14:33,481 He was unbelievable. He just smashed it out of the ball park. 1089 01:14:33,483 --> 01:14:35,950 It was just unbelievable. It's better than the album. 1090 01:14:35,952 --> 01:14:37,886 I've been listening to him all the way down. 1091 01:14:37,888 --> 01:14:41,723 If I could get up and dance, I would be up there on the stage. 1092 01:14:41,725 --> 01:14:45,494 He puts that sort of energy into the music. 1093 01:14:45,496 --> 01:14:49,132 It just comes across and you want to be so much a part of it. 1094 01:14:49,134 --> 01:14:51,904 The whole thing was unbelievable. 1095 01:14:57,008 --> 01:15:01,844 It's very difficult in motorsport, here in the UK to get the funding. 1096 01:15:01,846 --> 01:15:08,987 You've just got to work hard at it and prove that you're worthy of people's investment 1097 01:15:08,989 --> 01:15:13,393 of both their time and their energy and their hard earned money. 1098 01:15:17,230 --> 01:15:22,734 This was the first track I came to. Um, I was VIP'd by a friend of mine, Chris Boyd. 1099 01:15:22,736 --> 01:15:25,237 Uh, we came here to watch Samsung-Honda. 1100 01:15:25,239 --> 01:15:29,908 We came through the tunnel from the VIP area, so we came through underneath, 1101 01:15:29,910 --> 01:15:33,280 and I popped up and then, we were in the garages. 1102 01:15:33,282 --> 01:15:36,982 And that's kind of a golden space. That's where all the real action happens. 1103 01:15:36,984 --> 01:15:40,854 And I thought, "You know what, I love this. This is where I wanna be." 1104 01:15:40,856 --> 01:15:45,559 This is where I fell in love with motorsports in a very different way, 1105 01:15:45,561 --> 01:15:48,196 and thought this is what I wanna do. 1106 01:15:48,198 --> 01:15:50,665 So, sponsorship-wise, I'm looking forward to next year. 1107 01:15:50,667 --> 01:15:52,933 We've got a lot of things coming up. 1108 01:15:52,935 --> 01:15:56,236 A lot of new individual sponsors that are trying to get involved. 1109 01:15:56,238 --> 01:15:59,374 And that's great. Currently we're with McMillan Williams 1110 01:15:59,376 --> 01:16:02,109 and they've been really good to us over the first two years, 1111 01:16:02,111 --> 01:16:05,781 and we're hoping that they're going to continue into year three. 1112 01:16:05,783 --> 01:16:10,787 I've got a lot of people counting on me to, uh, make it happen. 1113 01:16:10,789 --> 01:16:14,259 These aren't just normal, everyday riders. 1114 01:16:15,526 --> 01:16:17,793 They can't just go from one team to another. 1115 01:16:17,795 --> 01:16:20,499 They can't just say, "Oh, don't worry, I'll find another backer." 1116 01:16:22,835 --> 01:16:24,735 The cold winter weather is setting in 1117 01:16:24,737 --> 01:16:26,873 and racing has been postponed due to fog. 1118 01:16:28,874 --> 01:16:32,042 So, it's exactly nine o'clock, and... 1119 01:16:32,044 --> 01:16:38,850 now is really when we ought to be starting for the first qualifying session. 1120 01:16:38,852 --> 01:16:44,655 But, given that it's completely fog bound and we don't have decent visibility, 1121 01:16:44,657 --> 01:16:48,893 or line of sight, as you can see, we just come out to Druids now, 1122 01:16:48,895 --> 01:16:51,530 and the bridge is only really coming into visibility now. 1123 01:16:51,532 --> 01:16:55,934 So, it's definitely not acceptable conditions for racing. 1124 01:16:55,936 --> 01:16:58,437 I've announced a 15 minute delay. 1125 01:16:58,439 --> 01:17:01,707 We'll literally take this is increments of 15 minutes 1126 01:17:01,709 --> 01:17:04,713 just to see when the visibility will improve. 1127 01:17:07,016 --> 01:17:10,117 So, this is not the weather we need. 1128 01:17:10,119 --> 01:17:13,988 We've got Louis, who is... He needs to be racing today 1129 01:17:13,990 --> 01:17:19,961 and tomorrow, because he's in a top ten finish. 1130 01:17:19,963 --> 01:17:24,098 In his group, we've got Will Swift, who's going out to his first race. 1131 01:17:24,100 --> 01:17:26,634 So, this is not a good environment, 1132 01:17:26,636 --> 01:17:31,073 if you can't see literally outside the garage to the pit wall. 1133 01:17:31,075 --> 01:17:34,746 By mid-morning, the fog clears, and racing continues. 1134 01:17:43,654 --> 01:17:46,388 It's really hard work. Really hard work. 1135 01:17:46,390 --> 01:17:49,926 'Cause this is the indie circuit, it's all right handers, 1136 01:17:49,928 --> 01:17:55,499 so I'm turning right for about three quarters of the lap. 1137 01:17:55,501 --> 01:17:57,468 There's no real straights. 1138 01:17:57,470 --> 01:18:00,170 So, just getting massive fatigue 1139 01:18:00,172 --> 01:18:02,341 lying on the right of my prosthetic. 1140 01:18:02,343 --> 01:18:05,010 I'm top ten in the championship at the moment, 1141 01:18:05,012 --> 01:18:08,212 which is why I've come up here this weekend, 1142 01:18:08,214 --> 01:18:10,784 to try and just get some points. 1143 01:18:13,921 --> 01:18:16,692 Today marks Will's first race of the season. 1144 01:18:17,991 --> 01:18:20,860 He was such a lovely little boy. 1145 01:18:20,862 --> 01:18:23,730 He really was, and I'm not terribly keen on children. 1146 01:18:24,765 --> 01:18:28,634 But, he was genuinely a sweet, sweet kid. 1147 01:18:28,636 --> 01:18:30,370 - Really sweet. - Yeah. 1148 01:18:30,372 --> 01:18:32,039 He wasn't any trouble. 1149 01:18:32,041 --> 01:18:34,407 No, he really wasn't. 1150 01:18:34,409 --> 01:18:38,745 Lisa and I realized, while he was in recuperation, still in hospital, 1151 01:18:38,747 --> 01:18:42,716 quite how important motorbikes were to him. 1152 01:18:42,718 --> 01:18:44,986 Now, we knew he was keen on bikes, 1153 01:18:44,988 --> 01:18:46,755 we knew he enjoyed riding bikes. 1154 01:18:46,757 --> 01:18:50,858 But, I don't think we really understood how it was in his blood. 1155 01:18:50,860 --> 01:18:56,866 And to me, that was epitomized by him asking us to bring him the Motorcycle News. 1156 01:18:56,868 --> 01:19:01,403 So, he's in hospital, he's lost his leg, and he wants to read the Motorcycle News. 1157 01:19:01,405 --> 01:19:04,106 And, it just... We just... 1158 01:19:04,108 --> 01:19:08,011 It just dawned on us that this was really important to him. 1159 01:19:08,013 --> 01:19:09,945 And you hear about Will racing, 1160 01:19:09,947 --> 01:19:11,480 and practicing, and falling off, 1161 01:19:11,482 --> 01:19:15,151 but seeing it is a whole different ball game. 1162 01:19:15,153 --> 01:19:21,191 It's tough to watch. I mean, however fast I thought they go, they go a lot faster. 1163 01:19:21,193 --> 01:19:25,128 And it's... There's not much between them and the road, is there? 1164 01:19:25,130 --> 01:19:29,470 So, it's... It's tough, but we know that Will loves it. 1165 01:19:31,137 --> 01:19:32,737 I think it's a dilemma. 1166 01:19:32,739 --> 01:19:36,808 Do I wish he was doing something less dangerous? 1167 01:19:36,810 --> 01:19:37,878 Yes. 1168 01:19:39,012 --> 01:19:42,148 Do I want him to be happy? Yes. 1169 01:19:42,150 --> 01:19:44,483 And this makes him happy. 1170 01:19:44,485 --> 01:19:48,156 You know, he needs to know that we do support him. 1171 01:19:49,858 --> 01:19:53,529 Despite the dilemma, we're very proud of him. 1172 01:19:59,835 --> 01:20:03,103 Will has performed well in his races over the weekend. 1173 01:20:03,105 --> 01:20:05,238 He only has another two races to get through today 1174 01:20:05,240 --> 01:20:06,777 to complete his first race meeting. 1175 01:20:20,958 --> 01:20:25,361 A radio call comes in that there's been a very serious accident on track. 1176 01:20:25,363 --> 01:20:28,833 Anthony's concerned that Will has not come back into the paddock. 1177 01:20:37,176 --> 01:20:40,814 So, Will's come off. Not a good day to do it. It is his birthday, after all. 1178 01:20:42,213 --> 01:20:44,047 And he's come off a paddock hill bend. 1179 01:20:44,049 --> 01:20:48,154 I'm not sure if it was a collision, or whether or not he just went a little bit wide. 1180 01:20:49,356 --> 01:20:51,122 Hopefully, he's going to be okay. 1181 01:20:51,124 --> 01:20:53,323 But it's... 1182 01:20:53,325 --> 01:20:57,162 It's a very early stage, so you just never know with... 1183 01:20:57,164 --> 01:20:59,265 You just never know with riders. 1184 01:20:59,267 --> 01:21:01,336 They always keep everything quite... 1185 01:21:02,269 --> 01:21:03,737 quite quiet. 1186 01:21:19,388 --> 01:21:21,556 Will's come off with an altercation with another bike, 1187 01:21:21,558 --> 01:21:23,292 I think at the paddock hill bend. 1188 01:21:24,726 --> 01:21:27,762 He's gone to the health care center. 1189 01:21:27,764 --> 01:21:31,965 Bike's been brought back in and we've only just been allowed to touch it 1190 01:21:31,967 --> 01:21:36,138 just in case there's anything more serious. But fortunately there isn't. 1191 01:21:36,140 --> 01:21:38,005 So, I'm just seeing what's up with it, 1192 01:21:38,007 --> 01:21:40,611 and I think it's knackered. 1193 01:21:42,178 --> 01:21:45,947 Anthony's informed that Will has a suspected broken neck. 1194 01:21:45,949 --> 01:21:48,885 He's rushed to hospital. 1195 01:21:48,887 --> 01:21:52,988 I've spoken to a number of people about exactly what happened. 1196 01:21:52,990 --> 01:21:59,896 It appeared another rider tried to out-break him going in to a paddock hill bend. 1197 01:21:59,898 --> 01:22:03,833 It appeared he slammed on his breaks, cut in front of Will and hit the front of the bike, 1198 01:22:03,835 --> 01:22:07,339 which caused it to go down the gravel trap down the end. 1199 01:22:08,073 --> 01:22:10,440 Will was taken to A&E. 1200 01:22:10,442 --> 01:22:16,580 He has a fractured collar bone, and we believe some sort of fracture to his neck as well, 1201 01:22:16,582 --> 01:22:18,282 but we're just waiting for CT scans. 1202 01:22:18,284 --> 01:22:22,089 So at this point, I can't say exactly for sure the level of his injuries. 1203 01:22:26,961 --> 01:22:31,563 The way the end of the season ended for me wasn't ideal. 1204 01:22:31,565 --> 01:22:34,366 We were coming down the start finish straight and... 1205 01:22:34,368 --> 01:22:38,305 so, a 100 and... 140 miles an hour plus... 1206 01:22:38,307 --> 01:22:41,608 into the breaking area at the apex, 1207 01:22:41,610 --> 01:22:47,279 this other rider comes down the inside and just sweeps across my front wheel. 1208 01:22:47,281 --> 01:22:52,020 So, he basically drives over my front wheel with his, effectively his whole bike. 1209 01:22:52,022 --> 01:22:54,922 As he rode over, as he hit my front wheel, 1210 01:22:54,924 --> 01:22:59,292 I got flipped over the front of the bike, effectively ejected 1211 01:22:59,294 --> 01:23:02,798 in a straight line towards the barrier. 1212 01:23:02,800 --> 01:23:08,302 Um, head-first. I've... I speared into the ground with my face, 1213 01:23:08,304 --> 01:23:10,304 knocked myself out immediately. 1214 01:23:10,306 --> 01:23:13,942 I was out for between two and five minutes. 1215 01:23:13,944 --> 01:23:20,616 I think everyone was extremely worried, because it was an absolutely horrendous crash. 1216 01:23:20,618 --> 01:23:24,187 Um, I think the other chap came away virtually unscathed, 1217 01:23:24,189 --> 01:23:29,292 but I was punished extremely severely 1218 01:23:29,294 --> 01:23:31,629 in that particular moment. 1219 01:23:31,631 --> 01:23:33,596 I broke my neck. 1220 01:23:33,598 --> 01:23:38,368 An extra millimeter would have been total paralysis, 1221 01:23:38,370 --> 01:23:40,171 possibly, or death. 1222 01:23:40,173 --> 01:23:44,676 So, that... I mean... I couldn't have... 1223 01:23:44,678 --> 01:23:49,480 It could not have been closer, as far as I'm concerned. 1224 01:23:49,482 --> 01:23:56,556 But then I spent a couple of weeks in hospital. 1225 01:23:56,558 --> 01:24:00,927 Scans, MRIs... you know, obviously being isolated the whole time, 1226 01:24:00,929 --> 01:24:02,729 So, you know, I couldn't move. 1227 01:24:02,731 --> 01:24:06,301 And a pretty scary couple of weeks. 1228 01:24:07,470 --> 01:24:10,838 I'm totally comfortable with the fact that 1229 01:24:10,840 --> 01:24:12,705 if I continue to race, 1230 01:24:12,707 --> 01:24:15,041 which I plan to do, 1231 01:24:15,043 --> 01:24:17,778 this could happen again. And I'm comfortable with that. 1232 01:24:17,780 --> 01:24:19,848 We understand the risks. 1233 01:24:19,850 --> 01:24:22,282 We understand the job we do. 1234 01:24:22,284 --> 01:24:26,254 That's kind of why we do it. Because it's fun, it's exhilarating. 1235 01:24:26,256 --> 01:24:27,988 It is dangerous, 1236 01:24:27,990 --> 01:24:33,162 but that's part of the joy. That's part of what we get out of it as racers. 1237 01:24:33,164 --> 01:24:37,102 It's... finding that edge. 1238 01:24:42,875 --> 01:24:44,673 It's a reflective time for the team 1239 01:24:44,675 --> 01:24:47,446 as they begin their last race weekend of the season. 1240 01:24:53,117 --> 01:24:56,987 A season, I think with any race team, has it's ups and downs. 1241 01:24:56,989 --> 01:24:59,490 Fortunately, we found far more ups than our downs. 1242 01:24:59,492 --> 01:25:03,093 We always seem to bounce back from the setbacks 1243 01:25:03,095 --> 01:25:06,062 and come away stronger. And I think the team grows from that, 1244 01:25:06,064 --> 01:25:09,300 and from the challenges that we faced. 1245 01:25:09,302 --> 01:25:10,969 We've become a far greater team 1246 01:25:10,971 --> 01:25:13,938 than probably we would have done if everything had gone 1247 01:25:13,940 --> 01:25:15,874 very simply and easy. 1248 01:25:15,876 --> 01:25:19,545 As long as you learn from the mistakes that you make, 1249 01:25:19,547 --> 01:25:22,684 then, they're a positive part of life. 1250 01:25:25,587 --> 01:25:27,319 This year has been fantastic. 1251 01:25:27,321 --> 01:25:31,324 I obviously started very nervous as a new rider 1252 01:25:31,326 --> 01:25:36,432 coming into the team with Talan as the head guy trying to fill the boots. 1253 01:25:37,599 --> 01:25:40,801 It's been a massive learning curve, really. 1254 01:25:40,803 --> 01:25:44,071 Every single track has been a learning curve. 1255 01:25:44,073 --> 01:25:48,008 So, as we've grown on throughout the season, I've become more confident. 1256 01:25:48,010 --> 01:25:53,183 I've met a good bunch of guys in the paddock than in a race class. 1257 01:25:58,555 --> 01:26:03,425 This is the end of the season at Snetterton. It's been a magnificent year of racing. 1258 01:26:03,427 --> 01:26:09,966 When we started this last year, it was just Talan on the bike, and lots of people had said 1259 01:26:09,968 --> 01:26:13,903 it was a stupid idea. It would never happen. It would never work. 1260 01:26:13,905 --> 01:26:16,406 And, nobody wanted to sponsor us. 1261 01:26:16,408 --> 01:26:19,542 Talan went out last year and he did a phenomenal job 1262 01:26:19,544 --> 01:26:22,582 and more sponsors came onboard for this year. 1263 01:26:25,517 --> 01:26:31,989 We've come a very long way from June, 2012, when I first 1264 01:26:31,991 --> 01:26:36,160 left the pit here at Snetterton on to the 200 circuit 1265 01:26:36,162 --> 01:26:38,364 and took part in the very first race. 1266 01:26:38,366 --> 01:26:44,904 It was a very emotional time for me and I was in tears for the entire cool down. 1267 01:26:44,906 --> 01:26:48,107 It's also very emotional today, 1268 01:26:48,109 --> 01:26:54,713 to see just exactly what has evolved over those last few years. 1269 01:26:54,715 --> 01:26:59,320 To see the family that has grown from just me, sleeping in the back of my van, 1270 01:26:59,322 --> 01:27:03,323 to everybody that we have here, 1271 01:27:03,325 --> 01:27:06,393 both, working on the bikes, riding the bikes, 1272 01:27:06,395 --> 01:27:09,863 supporting everybody that's behind the scenes. 1273 01:27:09,865 --> 01:27:12,968 It's not just about us and racing and having a good time. 1274 01:27:12,970 --> 01:27:17,505 It's about helping so many other people see what we're doing 1275 01:27:17,507 --> 01:27:21,309 and take inspiration, and take motivation from it. 1276 01:27:21,311 --> 01:27:25,180 And you can all be incredibly proud of that. 1277 01:27:25,182 --> 01:27:29,752 Helping to change other people's lives is a truly humbling experience. 1278 01:27:29,754 --> 01:27:33,922 And everyone's lives get touched by what we do. 1279 01:27:33,924 --> 01:27:38,861 It is a truly wonderful team, 1280 01:27:38,863 --> 01:27:43,333 and I am so happy to be a part of it 1281 01:27:43,335 --> 01:27:47,271 and I hope that you are happy to be part of it as well. 1282 01:27:47,273 --> 01:27:52,110 And, I can't see it stopping for a very, very long time. 1283 01:27:52,112 --> 01:27:56,481 And I hope that you will all continue with the journey that we're taking 1284 01:27:56,483 --> 01:27:58,719 and who knows where it will take us. 1285 01:28:00,886 --> 01:28:04,223 A single idea can change history. 1286 01:28:04,225 --> 01:28:09,228 It takes desire, passion and commitment to make that idea a reality. 1287 01:28:09,230 --> 01:28:14,266 It wouldn't be possible without the combined efforts of every single team member. 1288 01:28:14,268 --> 01:28:19,105 Not only have they changed the perception of disabled riders in motorcycling, 1289 01:28:19,107 --> 01:28:21,610 they've also carved a path for others. 1290 01:28:23,378 --> 01:28:27,014 It has been a roller coaster. It's been an amazing year. 1291 01:28:27,017 --> 01:28:31,785 We've put together a team that a lot of people didn't think would work. 1292 01:28:31,787 --> 01:28:35,288 We sacrificed an awful lot of time and energy this year. 1293 01:28:35,290 --> 01:28:37,958 I think it's been worth it. 1294 01:28:37,960 --> 01:28:43,899 We've put in some really good positive steps to encourage more people 1295 01:28:43,901 --> 01:28:47,803 into a sport that otherwise would have alienated them. 1296 01:28:47,805 --> 01:28:49,672 We've made it achievable. 1297 01:28:49,674 --> 01:28:55,812 What was dreaming an impossible dream, has now become an achievable dream, 1298 01:28:55,814 --> 01:29:01,651 and in a very short space of time, we've showed the world that you don't have to just 1299 01:29:01,653 --> 01:29:06,657 sit there and think, "Well, that's my life with disability. I can't do stuff." 1300 01:29:06,659 --> 01:29:08,862 They can go on and do great things. 1301 01:29:11,731 --> 01:29:16,099 These races have allowed us to compete with them on a level playing field 1302 01:29:16,101 --> 01:29:18,036 even though we're disabled. 1303 01:29:18,038 --> 01:29:21,108 And by them treating us normally, 1304 01:29:22,175 --> 01:29:24,943 that empowers us so much. 1305 01:29:24,945 --> 01:29:29,815 Everybody has got the ability to do whatever they want to do. 1306 01:29:29,817 --> 01:29:34,486 It's whether they can unlock the ability within themselves 1307 01:29:34,488 --> 01:29:37,522 and knocking your potential is not always easy, 1308 01:29:37,524 --> 01:29:40,959 and it's not always simple to do, 1309 01:29:40,961 --> 01:29:44,964 because people are complex and you have to know yourself. 1310 01:29:44,966 --> 01:29:48,237 Know what it is you're trying to achieve very well. 1311 01:29:52,475 --> 01:29:57,144 So this year, Talan Racing has been emotional, 1312 01:29:57,146 --> 01:30:00,615 eventful, not what I expected. 1313 01:30:00,617 --> 01:30:04,818 It's not always been great, but it's been a fantastic experience 1314 01:30:04,820 --> 01:30:06,654 and I wouldn't have changed it for the world. 1315 01:30:06,656 --> 01:30:10,391 Life is short. We're here for a good time, not for a long time, 1316 01:30:10,393 --> 01:30:17,201 so you owe it to yourself not to be controlled, or limited by your fears. 1317 01:30:22,674 --> 01:30:25,041 There aren't any limitations, 1318 01:30:25,043 --> 01:30:27,843 whether you're partially blind, or have an illness, 1319 01:30:27,845 --> 01:30:31,781 or in a chair, through an accident, or any injury. 1320 01:30:31,783 --> 01:30:36,419 Whatever it is, nothing should stop you. I think that's the main goal, is to do more. 1321 01:30:36,421 --> 01:30:38,021 'Cause you never know what's around the corner. 1322 01:30:38,023 --> 01:30:40,758 Someone you love, if anything happened to them, 1323 01:30:40,760 --> 01:30:43,727 you'd think, "I wish I'd done this, or I wish I done that." 1324 01:30:43,729 --> 01:30:49,134 There's no time for any of that, so really, you need to make the most of now. 1325 01:30:49,136 --> 01:30:54,339 Enjoy it, and certainly pass the message on to others, to your friends... 1326 01:30:54,341 --> 01:30:56,144 and certainly do more to enjoy it. 1327 01:31:00,414 --> 01:31:07,187 We all have this resource of energy of power inside us 1328 01:31:07,189 --> 01:31:10,724 that we can tap into, that we can use 1329 01:31:10,726 --> 01:31:17,530 to keep us moving forwards, even when we have these life-changing traumas, 1330 01:31:17,532 --> 01:31:21,001 these life-changing accidents. 1331 01:31:21,003 --> 01:31:24,673 So, I would encourage everybody to 1332 01:31:24,675 --> 01:31:28,813 take some time to be truly honest with themselves, 1333 01:31:30,581 --> 01:31:35,050 be reflective on how amazing they actually are. 1334 01:31:35,052 --> 01:31:39,088 Because everybody is truly amazing and everybody has that ability 1335 01:31:39,090 --> 01:31:41,958 to do incredible things. 1336 01:31:41,960 --> 01:31:46,699 And it's just tapping into that energy and using it. 1337 01:31:47,833 --> 01:31:49,102 Don't let it go to waste. 1338 01:32:52,538 --> 01:32:57,538