Interview – Damon Parkinson

What year did you start racing?

I got my first BMX in 1979—an orange and black Team Murray from Halfords for £79.99. I started racing in 1983 but only did one race at The Band Arena in Morecambe. I didn’t make the final but got into the trophy dash—and won it. It wasn’t until the Pontins track was built that I started racing properly on a Raleigh Burner with steel skinnies. Loved it.

What was your local track or favorite spot when you first started?

I started racing around the North West—Wigan, Ribby Hall, Kendal, Chorley (the old Chorley track in the quarry), and Preston. I liked Preston quite a lot, but Wigan took some beating!

How did your family or friends influence your BMX when you started?

It was me pestering my parents to let me race! My dad worked at the power station in Heysham, so he had access to a transit van. Before I could drive, that was our transport—and sometimes a place to kip, lol. Many a cold night was spent in that van.

I had a lot of support early on from friends, as they could see I was quite good. I even made it into the local paper a few times.

Who were your biggest inspirations or idols when you first started racing?

OMG, when I first started racing, I looked up to Tim and Andy. But I had the pleasure of spending quite a lot of time with Mike Pardon and Andy Preston since they lived at Pontins and ran the track.

Mike showed me how to speed-jump the big wooden tabletop—he was so quick and smooth. He had the fastest time around Pontins, and that made me determined to beat him—which I eventually did.

Jonathan Higginson was another rider I admired. He was so quick down the first straight, so anytime we did gates, I was determined to beat him. Eventually, I got stronger and managed to do just that.

What was your favorite track you ever raced on?

I’d say Wigan up north and Farnham down south.

Did you excel on any particular track?

I liked long tracks like Spalding because my strength was in being strong toward the latter part of the race. I used to train by letting the gate drop, holding back, and then fighting my way through the pack. (Not at pro meets, lol—just at local races.)

Teams you rode for?

Bay Motors was my first so-called sponsor—I got a Puch Challenger Pro frame, and I was buzzing. Then I rode for Coastline BMX (Jonathan Higginson), then Torker, and later Thruster Gee/Tee Signs. Didn’t really get on with the Torker. I also rode for Crisp Racing, which was ace in Australia, but my bike got stolen at Hounslow’s first national—gutted.

How many years were you actively racing?

From about 1984 to 1992, I think.

Can you recall your first national race?

My first national was at Birmingham Wheels, and I was in awe of Stu Diggens. Just doing gates with him was so cool. Can’t remember my results, but my first proper national was in ‘86—I think you’ll remember that one! I won because Darren Wood slipped his pedals down the last straight. One of my best races.

You were a test rider for BMX Bi-Weekly. That must have felt pretty cool with all the coverage you received, including a cover!

Yeah, I tested a couple of bikes for BMX Weekly magazine. And, of course, I got on the front cover with my Torker (didn’t get on with that bike at all).

What’s the best advice you received during your career?

The best advice I got was from Tony Hoffman and my dad.

Tony told me to be more assertive in my handshake, lol. Now I hurt people with it!

As for my dad—he noticed I had a mental block with Kim Carbutt. I used to think, He’s better than me; I’ll just stay behind him. My dad spotted this and told me, You can beat this dude. Guess what? I could—and I did, in the very next race.

Any major injuries?

At Kendal, I fell and broke my ankle (greenstick fracture). I wanted that slate trophy so badly that I raced the final with a broken ankle—and won. Darren Howarth wasn’t pleased, lol.

You went Superclass and then Pro at an early age. How did it feel to be on the gate and racing with Ruffell, March, Shooter, and company?

I can’t really remember much about Superclass—I don’t think I did it for long before turning pro. But I do remember being on the gate next to Stocky, and I’d heard you could mess with his head by saying, You’re not ready a few times. It worked, lol.

Turning pro was ace—it was exactly what I needed. Doing the autograph thing, etc. Yeah, being on the gate with those guys was something else. I held my own, I think. I was small but a powerful rider. There were some brilliant riders when I first turned pro, and sadly, we’ve lost a couple along the way.

If you could re-run any race, which one would it be?

Probably the Farnham pro race, as I was so close to beating Geth—or maybe Spalding. That was the closest I ever got to beating him. I really looked up to Geth too—he was so fast and skillful.

You spent time in Australia riding and racing. Any particular events you recall?

Now that was something special—and maybe where Geth was upset with me (not sure, maybe). I got to go because Geth had left NBMXA. He should have gone, really, but hey.

It was amazing—we got treated like kings. We even had to ride around a studio on a show like Tiswas, doing wheelies and all sorts. The racing was insane, as the two best from each country competed. I hit the gate in the semi and, unfortunately, went out. But racing Gary Ellis, Todd Corbitt, Todd Blazer, Anthony Howie Waye, etc., was another level.

I ended up going back for four months and stayed with Jason Naumann and his family. I got sponsored by Dean Crisp. It was brilliant—I was flying. But then I had a bad crash, hurt myself, and decided there and then to come back home.

At my first national back in the UK, my Crisp bike got stolen. I was gutted.

What were your thoughts on the end of the Pro Class in 1988 and the PRA?

I think a lot of BMX politics and the loss of funding didn’t help the pro class. Such a shame.

Can you recall your final race?

I went Superclass and then Pro, did quite well, and ended up with a 3 plate. Going to Australia was amazing. I think my last race was at a Chorley national, but I’m not 100% sure on that one, mate. Around that time, I was a 22-year-old dad, so everything was a bit of a blur.

What was the highlight of your time in BMX?

So many highlights—beating Shooter now and again, ha ha. Going to Australia and America. Staying with TC and being in awe of Greg Hill when he stayed at TC’s—such a top bloke.

Still to this day, I miss it all. It’s great that we have media to keep the memories alive.