PETE ’ S PEOPLE
with years of training , knew to keep out of accidents , as they were expensive , and time consuming while you healed . Sometimes , when things didn ’ t go Tommy ’ s way and he crashed , the bike would have to be stripped down and rebuilt by Chris alone . While Tommy was at work , making enough money to fund the next race and raise his family with wife , Connie , Chris would phone through to Tommy a list of parts that were required to bring the bike up to race fettle , and Tom would pick them up on the way home . Chris would rebuild the bike ready for Tommy to use by race night . Tommy trusted Chris to do this perfectly every time , and knew he could ride his JAP 500 single into the races without having to test it . And did so . Chris was ten years old .
THREE DECADES AT THE TOP In all , Tommy raced actively for twenty seven years . Men at the top of this sport – all of whom had to work , travel , prep , race repeatedly in tough , fast , dangerous leagues , and return to work so they could continue to turn up to every race meeting - no matter the distance or the time required , all to deliver the best for their teammates lasted around five to seven years before it wore them out . Tommy was top of the sport for nearly three decades . Leaving a hell of a legacy . It ’ s a testament to his stamina , grit , determination , courage , and skills honed in constant racing . It ’ s also testament to the love and support of his wife and sons . Tommy Sweetman was a legend . He rode and won against all the big names , Ivan Mauger , Barry Briggs and Ronnie Moore of New Zealand fame , Olly Nygren , Ovë Fundin and other Scandi big timers , and he rode in Austria , Sweden , France , Denmark , Germany and Holland , and still returned to start work every monday morning . Connie would clean his leathers , patch the cuts and scuffs , while Chris tended to the bike after school . There were no sponsors , every single
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