A FIRE at his place of work has left Alton biker, Ian Hopcroft, with no hope of finishing the racing season - unless he can find a guardian angel.
Hotly tipped as a star of the future, at 19 years of age this is Ian's first year racing in the One Make Honda CB500 series and he is already standing 16th in the national league championship tables. But his hopes of climbing to the top were smashed last Friday when fire swept through the 'Lucky Racing' motorcycle shop in Camberley where he is manager.
According to Ian, the fire, which made headline news on Meridian Television, was thought to have started outside the premises but the effect has been devastating.
"The showroom, workshop and paint spraying department have all been destroyed along with in excess of £100,000 worth of bikes," said Ian who, on a personal basis, has "lost everything" in terms of his job and of a promising racing career.
Known on the track as 'The Flying Banana', his bike was dragged out of the fire but, according to Ian, is a write-off. "It is so badly damaged it would be dangerous to ride," said the Alton man who fears that by the time the insurance is sorted out it will be "too late" to compete again this season.
Although there is an outside chance that he may be able to borrow another bike from Honda, Ian points out that his helmet and leathers were consumed in the fire.
"I have lost gear worth thousands of pounds which I can't afford to replace and I can't ride without it," said Ian whose only hope of finishing the season rests on his securing sponsorship.
Having put in the fastest lap at Silverstone on Sunday, June 20, Ian had high hopes for this Sunday's race at Knock Hill in Scotland, which he will obviously have to miss.
However, he is keeping his fingers crossed that, with sponsorship, he might be back in the saddle in time for Cadwell Park in two months time and would be delighted to hear from anyone who might be help on 0467 895385.