They say you don't have to be mad to be a motor-cycle racer - but 34-year-old Malcolm Hobbs is a perfect example of the fact that it helps.

For Bowers Gifford trainee electrician Malcolm is embarking on a new season of chasing two top 250cc titles, just three years after being knocked off his bike in a road accident.

The fall left him partly paralysed in hospital for three weeks.

He also picked up a "war wound" type back scar, which is testimony to the skill the surgeons showed in removing a large number of damaged discs from the injured biker's back.

And race ace Hobbs is the first to acknowledge that many people must think he is crazy.

"There are many who think I must be insane to not only be back in the saddle, let alone racing, but motor-bikes are in my blood," admitted the race ace.

"This 250cc level in its present form has only a couple of seasons to go due to the emissions released, but I've got a top quality bike which I bought off Lee Finney, one of the leading riders at this level, and I'm determined to give it a real go."

Hobbs is racing on two fronts this season, as he chases honours in the Bemsee National Championship as well as the MRO 250GP Championship.

The latter is his main aim and he'll be testing at Brands Hatch next week and in the former races next at Cadwell Park on the weekend of April 17 and 18.

The Pitsea man is being backed by local firms Sign Central, Spray Art and Vulcan Engineering in his quest for glory, but could certainly use extra cash backing for a season that, including the price of his bike, costs could work out at around £20,000.

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