Fearless Dan makes superb return after Mallory crash
Melton motorcycle racer Dan Ingham with co-owner Mark Brooks of sponsors Digital Deadline PHOTO: Tim Williams To buy call (01664) 410041 or visit www.meltontimes.co.uk
A FLEDGLING motorcycle racer has revealed how the memory loss of a big crash helped him return to the track this season without fear.
Dan Ingham missed the last two seasons following a serious racing incident while riding in a 125cc championship race at Mallory Park in 2009. He was fit enough to resume racing the following season, but his mum Mandy had other ideas.
As a proud, but concerned mum she had watched her son race from the age of 10, but after the trauma of seeing the crash, she refused to pay to put him back in peril.
Mandy insisted he could only race when he was responsible enough to make the decision and had the means to fund it.
A few years older and wiser, and with a full-time job under his belt, the 19-year-old returned this spring for his first full season in the Derby Phoenix Formula 400 Championship.
Backed by main sponsor Digital Deadline, Dan is also indebted to his dad Martin’s skills as a bike mechanic. But there is still one supporter missing.
He said: “My mum wouldn’t allow me to race until I got my own job and my own money to pay for it myself. She still doesn’t like me racing and won’t come and watch, but she says it’s up to me now.
“I smashed my head around a bit at Mallory, but basically, because I can’t remember the accident, it doesn’t really affect me.
“I raced last year with EMRA (East Midlands Racing Association) to get myself back into shape and then this year I started racing properly again.”
The former King Edward VII School pupil was taken on as an apprentice at Narborough Technetics three years ago where he is now an aerospace engineer.
In tandem he is also studying for a Higher National Certificate qualification at Loughborough University.
True to his word, Dan showed no ill effects when he got back on his bike, and quickly picked up where he left off. After an eight-round series he rode his Honda RVF400 to third overall and top newcomer in the championship.
But the bare facts don’t tell the drama of an exciting season finale.
Dan added: “At the start of the year I wasn’t expecting to do so well. Then I got down to the last two rounds and realised I could probably get third place in the championship. I rode my heart out at the last round and it paid off.
“We had been beating each other over the weekend, and I was leading by one point going into the last race.
“I just managed to snag it on the second last corner of the last lap.
“I’m more than chuffed with how the season has gone and was gobsmacked after the last race. I’ve had a big smile on my face ever since.”
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Weather for Melton
Sunday 19 May 2013
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Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
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