Motorsport: Bill Smith Motors’ Ian Mackman to ride again after terrifying 120mph crash

Feb 11 2010 by Dave Bettley, Chester Chronicle

RACE ace Ian Mackman is ready to get back in the saddle after being seriously injured in a terrifying 120mph crash.

The 30-year-old, a service manager at Bill Smith Motors in Chester, was airlifted to hospital, twice had to be resuscitated and was put in an induced coma to protect him from brain damage.

He suffered a punctured lung while breaking eight ribs, right collarbone, left shoulder blade and five small bones in his back.

Mackman spent a month in Bangor Hospital after the accident in a Thundersport GB event on Anglesey.

But he is determined to ride again in the coming season – starting next month.

Mackman, from Runcorn, said: “I’m now well on the way to a full recovery – my motivation to do so comes from the desire to get back to the track.”

The mid-September crash happened after Mackman had worked his way through up to fifth place after being 30th on the grid.

“With the leader in sight, I was really going for it and desperate to win,” he remembered. “The rest of what happened I can only report from what others have told me as I have no recollection. It would appear that entering turn three on lap four, I ran wide and got on to the grass at approximately 120mph.

“Still upright, I held on to the bike, travelling 150 metres before losing control and dropping the machine. I then slid for 30 metres before hitting a steel crash barrier. The bike was cartwheeling above me, but fortunately missed me.

“I bounced off the crash barrier and tumbled to a rest 40 metres off the impact point. I owe the quick actions of the marshals and doctors for my life from this point forward.

“I stayed in Bangor Hospital for four weeks. The whole team of people there were great and looked after me very well.”

On being released from hospital, Mackman spent another month recuperating before returning to work. He had only been home a week when his wife Jo gave birth to son Ted, the couple’s first child, on October 17.

Announcing his plans for 2010, Oxford-born Mackman added: “My first races will be at Anglesey race track with Wirral 100 Club on Sunday, March 21 and then Easter weekend at Brands Hatch in Kent with the British Superstocks.

“I once again will ride for Team PRF Suzuki, who have been excellent for the whole season – especially after I’d broken one of their bikes!”

The vehicle in question, a Suzuki GSXR1000K9, is being repaired, while Mackman will also ride a Suzuki GSXR600K8.

He said: “I’ve planned a similar season to last with three British Superstock rounds early in the year alongside a couple of club races.

“This will prepare me for the main events of my season – the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

“This will be my fourth TT and I hope to improve on my 10th-placed finish in last year’s senior race. After the TT, I’ll again compete in local club events and possibly a few more British championships.

“I hope to regain the Anglesey Grand title I won in 2008 at the end of the year. Rather upsettingly, I was looking out of the hospital window when last year’s event took place.”