The Sussex speedway star excelling one year after a crash put his dreams on hold

A year ago a teenage speedway star from Sussex was put into an induced coma, after crashing during a race.

This week, Tom Brennan qualified for the European Under-21 Final, after an impressive display in the qualifiers. 

Speedway star Tom Brennan was seriously injured in a crash last year

Tom's place in the Final  caps a remarkable fightback by the nineteen year old from Hassocks, a year after he crashed while racing for the Eastbourne Eagles.

The rising star broke his leg in three places. But the night before his operation - he developed serious breathing problems.

Tom Brennan was put into an induced coma following the crash in 2019

  • Sarah Holt, Tom's mother speaking in 2019

The operation on his leg was a success, While time on a ventilator helped his lungs to recover. And Tom has used the break in racing due to Covid to his advantage.

  • Tom Brennan

Tom's thankful for the international races, after the speedway leagues were cancelled this year, because of the pandemic. That cancellation has hit clubs across our region, including the Poole pirates - winners of the top division eight times since the turn of the century.

Poole Pirates had chosen to drop down a division

The Pirates had chosen to drop down a division, and are hoping the fans will stick with them when speedway eventually returns. 

  • Danny Ford, Co-Promoter, Poole Pirates

For some, speedway is on hold. But there's no stopping Tom as he powers on.