Beech banking on early return

Ashley Beech — badly injured

LOCAL motorbike racer Ashley Beech is recovering after being badly injured in a high-speed crash in the latest round of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship.

Indeed, such was the severity of the accident involving the 20-year-old from Moorside that the race at Croft had to be stopped amidst fears he had broken his back.

Beech (pictured) who is in his debut season in the 600cc class, broke his shoulder in two places as well as rupturing ligaments in a badly-cut arm.

Yet Beech, who rides for Team Appleyard/Macadam, refuses to give up hope of competing again this season.

“There are three races left, two here and the last one next month in Spain where I hope to be riding,” explained Beech, who was travelling beteen 80 and 90mph when he crashed coming out of a bend on the sixth lap.

He continued: “I have crashed before at 135mph and not been hurt as you slide across the track at that speed. This was more serious being on a bend. It was feared I had snapped my spine - and the foot peg came through the side of my arm.”

Beech, also hurt after a crash in his previous race, is awaiting the results of an MRI scan which will determine the extent of his injuries as he will probably need an operation on his damaged shoulder.

The weekend at Croft had started well for Beech, who impressed on his Yamaha R6 in qualifying and was unlucky not to have finished higher than 20th.

He started well and had improved to 14th place, passing a number of established Championship riders.

However, disaster struck early in the race when he crashed on a turn and got his arm caught under the bike.

As Beech was also concussed, the organisers halted the race so he could receive medical attention.

Robin Appleyard, head of Team Appleyard/Macadam, said: “Obviously the whole team has its fingers crossed that Ashley makes a speedy recovery from his injuries.

“As everyone knows, he’s a tough lad and a racer at heart so he will be buoyed by the fact that the team performed well.”

Team-mates Deane Brown and Jordan Thompson finished sixth and eighth respectively at Croft in the GP 125cc event at the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

Beech is disappointed by his debut season in 600cc racing, saying he had hoped for a top-five spot as opposed to being down in the twenties.

“I put it down to the inexperience, both of me and my team. I have no doubt that the experience I have gained will hold me in good stead for next year,” he declared.