FAMILY and friends of a dale motocross rider who died in an accident on the track are gearing up for another memorial weekend.
Thomas Brown, from Marwood, was killed in a crash at a motocross event near Low Hardwick Farm, Sedgefield, two years ago.
The 27-year-old suffered a broken collarbone, nine broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Following his death, a memorial fund was set up to campaign for Thomas’ Law, which aims to raise awareness of practice track safety and encourage track owners to take more responsibility to provide medics and equipment at events.
Following the success of two previous Thomas Brown Memorial Weekends, the TB44 committee is gearing up for another event to ensure the young racer’s legacy continues.
The Thomas Brown Memorial Weekend is being run in association with the Motocross Federation and Cumbria Motocross Club.
It will be held on Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, September 1, at Cumbria MX’s Haverigg practice track that was revamped and renamed Route 44 after Thomas’ race number.
The track was remodelled by ex-British and GP racer Alfie Smith using money collected from an online fundraising page set up in Mr Brown’s memory.
As well as cash, donations of time, fuel and sponsorship were also made.
Mr Brown’s family thanked everyone for the help, support and kindness shown since they lost Thomas.
In a statement they said: “He is greatly missed by us all but we feel sure that the fun weekend, running now for the third year, is something he would be very proud of, so get entered and ride hard and play hard in his memory.”
The event will cater for youth and adult racers with prizes and a fun race for dads and mechanics followed by Thomas’ afterparty, raffles, auctions, bar and disco.
Trophies will be awarded during the two days but one-day race entries are also available.
Money raised will go towards providing practise tracks with free weather-proof safety boards for displaying important information for emergency services including helicopter landing sites, hospital contact details as well as rider briefing information.
Closing date for entries is Friday, August 30.
All entries will be taken on line by the MCF at www. mcfederation.com/event-en tries. Anyone wishing to help, sponsor, donate or book a trade stand for the event should call Karen Law 07725 235818.
