The Biker Place

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Tom Weeden, born in Maidstone, Kent on the 2nd February 1994, got into motorcycle racing at a British Superbikes meeting at Brands Hatch in 2005. Seeing Minimotos for hire for a short session around the small kart circuit Tom begged his dad for a go and off he went. The company running the trials decided to sponsor Tom and gave him 2 of there company bikes, leathers and a helmet.

Tom began practicing on these but after a while it was decided that they would get Tom onto faster and better handling bikes so he was provided with a DM 4.2 and a DM 8.5. He raced these in the Phoenix Winter Series gaining his 1st podium places. About this time the company that had been instrumental in getting Tom Weeden involved in Mini Moto racing folded but Tom had the bug so in stepped dads wallet! They sold the DM’s and bought two new ZPF’s (the same bikes that Valentino Rossi started on).

Tom raced these in the SEMRC Championship, and even won the 4.2 championships in his first year of racing! He won the championship comprehensively, claiming the title by round 7 of 10! Tom did so well in the 2006 season that a team called Havoc Racing decided to sponsor him in the 2007 season supplying a 4.2 Grc, 6.2 Grc and an 8.5 Grc.

His dad also bought a Jawa Gp 70, which he rode in the Acu Moto stars and Emra. Tom finished 3rd in the Acu but he was racing against faster 80cc machines, even managing to get a win at Oulton Park. He came 2nd in Emra but missed 3 rounds due to clashing with the MotoStars. Tom also managed to get rid of his novice Bib and gain his Clubman license.

In 2007 in the SEMRC (tom only did 7 out of 10 rounds due to clashes with Jawa) on his newly supplied Grc’s Tom managed a 1st on his 4.2 in the SEMRC and 3rd on 6.2 and 4th on 8.5. He had moved up to the senior class so the competition was much harder. And although Tom only did 4 out of 8 of the MMRA British championship he managed to get overall 2nd in the 4.2 class! He was on the podium at every race meet on his 4.2 and 6.2 and got on the podium 3 times on his 8.5 bike.

In 2008 Tom didn’t go the Aprilia 125 superteen route; instead he went straight to the Honda Gp 125. The Honda was very similar to the Jawa in handling and Tom only had to get used to the extra power (he could now overtake on the straight not just the corners). Tom raced this in Thundersport GB and EMRA. And some selected club rounds for experience. He competed in 4 championships and finished in:

• 2nd in the Acu Clubmans
• 2nd Gp3cup
• 3rd Gp3 Overall
• 4th in Emra 125 Gp

He far surpassed his own expectations with the above results in his rookie year, with regular visits to the podium in both the cup class and the Main championship riding his standard Honda against the tuned bikes. And was quoted as giving one of the best TV interviews ever by Robin Murphy.

Moving on from the Thundersport GB GP3 series, a maturing Tom decided to move up into the British 125cc Championship for 2009, with the ACU Academy Cup as his main focus. Tom sold his standard bike, and bought a kitted one that would be competative at BSB level. And once his Honda had been properly set up to run on the series’ control fuel, Tom showed exactly why he had nothing to fear from making the step up in level as he became a regular top 20 finisher in his rookie year. 

Tom, riding for Taboo Motorsport, beat his more experienced team mate Michael Hill several times throughout the season once he had found his feet within the grid. Tom recorded his best result of the campaign at a track which Weeden knows well from his early clud racing days with EMRA, but also a track wich is one of his least favourates, Mallory Park, which saw him just miss out on a top 10 result as he ultimately finished less than half a second behind team mate Michael Hill.  This result also rewarded Tom with his highest position in the ACU Academy Cup classifations, just missing out on a podium finish in 4^th. His consistency throughout the year saw him finish an excellent fifth overall.

Tom also maintained his links with Thundersport GB, he had 2 outings with them during the season, taking two wins and a second place at Snetterton while his runner up result at their Dononigton Park MotoGP round was one of the highlights of 2009.

Subject to funding, Weeden is hoping to continue his association with Thundersport GB next season by taking in a few of their events for experience, as well as possibly venturing into the Spanish or German championships to further his experience. However, the primary focus for 2010 will once again be the British 125GP Championship, in which Weeden will be endeavouring to make frequent visits to the ACU Academy Cup podium as he looks to challenge for that title, in addition to also becoming a regular point scorer in the main championship.

With progression comes greater expense and as such the 2010 season is going to be a great strain on Tom’s dad’s wallet and he is asking for any small donations to go towards Toms season, for example simply paying for one entry fee.

In return for sponsorship you will receive coverage of your company logo and company details via stickers on the race van, stickers on the bike, your logo on leathers, a link to your company website via his website (www.tomweeden.com) or a banner on the biker place, and also regular TV coverage, all Tom asks is for products for free or at a reduced price or money to go towards products or race fee’s (tyres, entry fees etc). Anything helps and will be gratefully received. If you would be interested or require more information about sponsoring Tom to help him get to the top please don’t hesitate to ring his dad on 07831313699 or 01622 693601 or email Tom at tomweeden@hotmail.co.uk