Injury

I have trained and dedicated my entire life to motorcycle racing. I moved 800 miles away from my parents, lived in a camper in an elite motorcycle training facility, left my high school and enrolled in online classes, and then began my quest for the national. I had made it through my area qualifiers and it was time for the regional. My first region was a Mid-East regional in Crawfordsville, Indiana. This event is a three day, three moto format race that determines whether one attends the National Championships. I was ready. Friday is practice day and I had been riding the track all day. During my final practice, I was going on an uphill double that I had hit (and everyone else did too) all day. It was an easy jump, speed was up to around 45-50 mph and the jump was around 55 feet long. I was getting ready to hit it and my back tire must have hit a hole as the next thing I remember was a crack-my leg was broke. The last six months of hard work, training, and riding came to a crashing end in that one moment. I was in an ambulance (again) riding to an unknown hospital an hour away from the track. I was in pain. The hospital in Indiana put a splint on my leg and we had to get back to West Virginia. This was not going to be a good ride considering we were 8 hours from my house. My leg was at a 40 degree angle and there was no way to get comfortable. Once home, it was back to the emergency room because my leg started to turn blue. My dad had unpacked the trailer and realized that I had hit my head (due to scratches on my helmet). I had to have a Cat Scan and more X-rays. An orthopedic surgeon came in and set my leg and put a cast all the way up my thigh. I have a concussion. I do not remember much of the weekend. This is not a career ending injury, nor a life-changing event. This is a road block and speed bump for me to achieve my goal. This too will pass. I will not let another broken leg break my spirit or determination.

Results

Racer Detail  ANTHONY THOMAS FAIRMONT, WV

Event Detail

Mid-East Region Area Qualifier - 4/12/2014 - Wild Cat Creek MX Class Finish  Brand  Racing Number 03. 250 B Limited 3  Honda  #37 08. 450 B Limited 6  Honda  #37 09. 450 B 5  Honda  #37 12. College B/C (16-24) 4  Honda  #37 Northeast Region Area Qualifier - 4/20/2014 - Tomahawk MX Class Finish  Brand  Racing Number 03. 250 B Limited 3  Honda  #37 08. 450 B Limited 1  Honda  #37 09. 450 B 1  Honda  #37 12. College B/C (16-24) 1  Honda  #37 Southeast Region Area Qualifier - 5/24/2014 - Birch Creek Motorsports Class Finish  Brand  Racing Number 03. 250 B Limited 1  Honda  #37 04. 250 B 3  Honda  #37/ 08. 450 B Limited 4  Honda  #37 12. College B/C (16-24) 4  Honda  #37

My Career in a Power Point

The Pain

This accident occurred on October 17, 2012 as I was training for the Winter Mini-Olympics that are held in Gainesville, Florida. I broke my femur in Tennessee and was in Bristol Regional Medical Center for nine days. I was in a wheelchair for 6 weeks and then I started with a walker. I began grueling physical therapy and I was racing again 7 months later. That was the longest I have ever been off of my motorcycle since I was two years old! 

The National

Broken Memory

I remember my broken femur.

I remember the adrenaline, thrills, excitement.

I remember fence lines with fans, racers beside me.

I remember mixed gasoline and barbecue.

I remember dust, sweat, mud.

I remember landing, screaming, my voice.

I remember laughs, engines, sirens.

I remember fear, dread, pain.

Silence.

I remember a ride, jolts, stops.

I remember commotion, swiftness, lights.

Doctors.

I remember riding, the dread of failing.

I remember debating life, the struggle to move.

I remember control, the power within.

I remember my bike, passion, love.

I remember healing.