Tommy Hill, the BSB Worx Crescent Suzuki rider, has had the worst time in the past few years. His best mate, Craig Jones, was killed, his father has fought stomach cancer and Tommy himself broke his femur in the same leg, not once but twice, in racing incidents. He walked away from his WSB job last season as he didn’t feel it was working and not the package he had been promised.
This is a guy that knows exactly what he wants and how he wants to do...
At Worx Crescent Suzuki Tommy has found his place. He covered for Sylvain Guintoli last season and he loved the Suzuki, which is the one bike he had not had the chance to ride before.
Tommy’s career started in motocross with his two brothers Dan and Jimmy. Tommy’s first podium was 2001 in Junior Superstock, his race win came in the Virgin R6 Cup in 2003. Talking to Tommy, I was impressed with the level of determination he has, he wants to win so much, which I know most racers do, that’s why they do it, but Tommy really has been tested and he has proved he will not stop until he gets what he wants. I met Tommy two days after the first BSB meeting and his first race win on the Worx Crescent Suzuki at Brands Hatch. In the second race Tommy walked away with a second place to make him top of the championship at the start the season.
How hard was it to get back to fitness after the second broken leg? (Tommy was hit by another rider at Nurburging in 2008 WSB)
It was really hard whilst in hospital, thoughts go through your mind like what am I doing this for?
Once I came out of hospital I wanted to get in to the gym as soon as possible and then I wanted to get back into full training. Each time I pushed myself a bit further, it wasn’t hard because all I wanted to do was get back to racing and winning.
For me, once I was back to full fitness, I knew I would be able to get back on to a bike. I kept plugging away at myself to push a bit more and a bit harder.
You’re lucky as you have a family that are all in or have been in racing so that must have helped your recovery with their support.
It was great with both my brothers in racing at one point, so they understood how much I needed to get back in to racing and get in to a good team.
My family have been a great support especially after the second accident. Things go through your mind like why me? Why now? How much more can I take?
So why walk away from the Hannspree Altea Honda WSB team?
The package that was set out at the beginning of the season on paper looked good, but as the weeks went by money was getting tighter and we were not getting the parts we should have had.
The team all spoke Italian and no English and I didn’t speak Italian so that became a bigger barrier than it should have.
If I asked them to adjust the settings on the bike they didn’t and it just became really hard to race on a bike you don’t feel comfortable on or work for a team you don’t have confidence in either.
For me that was the best decision I ever made as I then got the call from Suzuki.
What is it like to be on back in BSB?
I am pleased to be on a bike I enjoy riding, a team that listen to me and help me get the most out of the bike and to know that this package could go on further. I enjoy racing in the British Championship but I do want to get back into WSBK and if that is with this team that would be great.
I know that it all comes down to money as to whether this team goes to WSBK but if we can win this championship then maybe that will get us the go ahead.
Was it a big change for you to go from Honda to Suzuki?
It wasn’t ideal to go from one manufacturer to another but it happens and you have to make the most of it. Getting on to the Suzuki for the first time was very surprising I hadn’t ridden one before. I had ridden Honda and Yamaha but I felt so comfortable on the bike.
What do you do to relax when you are not racing?
I am a Graphic designer so I get on the computer and I’ve designed logos for some of the BSB riders. I have designed my brother Jimmy’s logo, his website and helmet design. Whilst I was off work injured that’s what I did to bring in an extra income. I love motocross, which is where me and my brothers all started racing in. I love doing motocross but due to my injuries
I have to be careful with it.
Mentally are you in a better place now, after having such a terrible time the last two years, you lost your best mate, family problems, your Dad has been ill and breaking your leg twice?
I must admit it has been a rough couple of years but I am happy with the team and the bike. That has to go out of my mind when I am racing, you have to block all those things out.
What are your thoughts about the changes to the points system in BSB?
The rules have changed and whether I like them or not anyone who is in the top 6 of the table at the last 3 rounds could win the championship. Everyone has their views on the rule changes and main thing for me to do is to keep my head down and plugging away at the points.What about the bike restrictions for this year’s championship and that the Privateer Cup has changed to the EVO class?
I think anything that helps the championship to have more teams racing is good, but I feel that next year all the teams will have EVO bikes. Cost is a big part for BSB teams if they can afford to race or not and, if costs can be reduced to allow more teams to compete, then so be it. I think next year you will see all the bikes will be pretty much stock bikes just like the EVO class.
How was the bike feeling at Brands Hatch for the first meeting?
The bike was handling ok on the first few laps but I was trying to get it settled and work my way up the pack. I didn’t get a great start so needed to make sure they didn’t get ahead too much. I could see others were having grip problems and I could feel mine was getting better.
As the bike went on it got better and better the tyres were good and I knew if I kept close I could get the drive through the corners to be able to pass on the straights. Once I got in the lead I knew I could win if I could just keep from pushing the bike too much.
The second race was a bit harder but once James was in front of me I thought I could get him if I pushed it but wasn’t sure I would be able to keep the bike on track. I decided to settle for second as it was only the second race of the season so points were on my mind.
I am really looking forward to the next round at Thruxton and I am sure we will be up there battling for the lead
I want to go faster, I want to go faster..
