Biker who crashed at 210mph hopes to race again

A Suzuki Hayabusa Turbo drag bike speeding along the track at Santa Pod. It is black with a large protective shield at the front, and Dan is clad head to toe in black protective clothing, and a black helmet. Two men stand at the side, one possibly taking a photo with his phone. There are adverts on the standings to one side. Image source, Supplied
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Danny said it felt like the bike "spat" him off as he crossed the finish line at Santa Pod in August

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A motorbike racer who came off his bike at 210mph said it was "a miracle" he survived, but he has not decided to give up racing.

Danny Cockerill, 56, from Basildon in Essex, had just finished a personal best at Santa Pod Raceway, external in Bedfordshire when he lost control of his Suzuki Hayabusa Turbo drag bike.

"I travelled down the finish line, barrel rolling, sliding, crashing and banging – I didn't think it was ever going to stop.

"I saw daylight and darkness, and every time I rolled over it hurt. When I came to a stop I was lying on my back and my nephew said 'Just lie still'," Mr Cockerill recalled.

He had been racing his nephew at the track on Sunday 17 August, accelerating from zero to 210mph in 7.01 seconds.

"When I left the start line, everything seemed really good. The bike was on a good run, it was a personal best run.

"I went through the finish line at 210mph, but by the time I came off the motorcycle it was more like 219," he said.

Danny sits on the black leather sofa smiling at the camera. He wears a black vest and shorts and his right forearm and leg are fully bandaged. You can see scabs where his hands and knees were hurt.Image source, Danny Cockerill
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Danny is recovering well despite suffering multiple injuries

Mr Cockerill said the team at Santa Pod were "absolutely fantastic".

"The medics came and told me to stay still. I had to have an operation to the knee, and there were broken bones. I had a lot of grazes to the rest of my body."

Mr Cockerill also needed a skin graft on his forearm and said: "I'm pleased to say I'm here to tell the tale."

"Even the hospital couldn't believe how well I was, not long after the accident.

"I was alert the next day - it's a miracle really that I'm still alive.

"People may say 'Now's the time to hang up your boots', but life's for living."

Danny's daughter stands next to him while he sits on his racing bike. He has the helmet on with visor up and wears a black jacket with the word DAN in orange. She wears a Santa Pod leather jacket too with the number 21 on a badge, over a blue t-shirt and black leggings. Image source, Danny Cockerill
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Danny's daughter (pictured) and wife said they didn't think he would want to give up racing just yet

He said when the accident happened, he was "ready to quit," but is now "contemplating getting a bike back together to go and race next year".

"My wife and daughter apparently spoke on the Sunday night. I was trying to achieve a goal and didn't quite get to it.

"They were discussing my future and didn't think I'd be ready to quit without running a six second pass.

"I haven't made that decision yet. I'm not worried about getting back on a bike – it depends on finances and my ability to do so," he added.

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