Racer Tom Weeden interviewed
Above: Tom Weeden on track
1. Tell me about yourself
I’m 13 years old and live in Maidstone with my parents, Steve and Jan. I go to Maidstone Grammar School and I am in year nine now. My dad has always been interested in motorbikes and has ridden bikes on the road since he was young. He introduced me to motorbikes by letting me ride pillion on his bike; I was really scared at first, but I soon got used to the speed.
My mum isn’t really into motorbikes but she always gives me encouragement, and so far I have 117 trophies in two-and-a-half years of riding. I race proper Italian machinery, Minimoto’s, which are a lot faster than the Chinese copies. I started riding Minimoto’s when I was 10, and I did three rounds in 2005. I wasn’t an instant winner, but at least I wasn’t last.
Then in my first full year, 2006, I did lots of training over the winter at Lydd International Racetrack. I won the 4.2 class (by round seven of 10) and came third, missing second by only three points in the 8.5 or ‘proddy’ class.
Early this year I passed and obtained my ACU road race license and recently upgraded it from novice to Clubman.
2. What are you doing now?
This year I’m in the senior class, which is a lot harder, and I’m the youngest rider. So far this season I’m winning the 4.2, second in 6.2 ‘Air-cooled’ and third in 8.5 ‘proddy’ Minimoto classes. Also this year I started riding a Jawa 70cc, which is the same size as a Honda 125GP but with less power. I’m second in the ACU Dunlop MotoStar Championship in the 80cc class, and second in the EMRA (East Midlands Race Association) Phoenix 70 class.
My favourite tracks on Jawa are Brands Hatch and Oulton Park.
3. What are your ambitions for the future?
This year I’m hoping to win all my championships, but it will be hard to win the mini moto championship because some Jawa rounds clash, and they come first. Next year I hope to do well on my Honda Gp 125. I’d eventually like to ride in BSB and then Moto GP, not because of the money but because I would love to have a job which I would enjoy doing every day.
4. What’s the best thing about living in Kent?
The best thing about living in Kent is that Brands Hatch is located just up the road from me and it’s a really good track. Also, Lydd is only 50 minutes away.
5. Where do you like to go out in your area?
I like going out into town with my friends and going to the cinema on weekends, when I’m not racing. I like going to restaurants in Maidstone as well.
6. What are your hobbies and interests?
When I’m not at a race meet or practicing I like to play football, rugby, cricket and tennis - I play football for my school and for Barming Youth.
When I go on holiday I go water skiing, and this year I learnt to do wakeboarding.
I support Manchester United and Gillingham FC, and I also have a trials bike on which I practice doing stunts.
Also a lot of my time is spent writing to potential sponsors but recently I haven’t been having much luck.
7. What was the last book you read?
I read quite a lot and the last book I read was James Toselands autobiography. I also recently read Troy – Shield of Thunder by David Gemmel. David Gemmel is my favorite author.
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