British rider Brad Todd has revealed that he was forced to sit out the latest round of the British Championship at Blaxhall due to a sudden health issue — but he’s now focused on an exciting new challenge as he sets his sights on selected rounds of the AMA Pro Motocross series after getting a taster at Thunder Valley.
Reflecting on a frustrating weekend at Blaxhall, Todd explained what happened in the lead-up to his unexpected withdrawal.
“So yesterday at Blaxhall, I was fine when I woke up. I went off for qualifying and couldn’t breathe, came back, was just being constantly sick and it wasn’t very nice. I went to the paramedics, told them what had happened, they rigged me up to these machines. Something came back abnormal. They obviously said that you’re not fit enough to race. As soon as they say that, they tell the ACU and then, you know, you can’t race. They did say I could protest it, but to be honest with you, I was really not feeling well. And that was that. So, I just didn’t protest it, I just called it a day.”
With his Blaxhall weekend cut short and feeling unwell, Todd has turned his attention to a fresh challenge — racing in the United States.
“I’m not doing the next two British Championships as of right now because I’m planning on doing some AMA rounds. The next one won’t be Southwick, it’s just too close, unfortunately, because that would have been a good one for me. But I am planning Washougal, Spring Creek, Ironman and Unadilla. So, those four I’m going to try and do. I do need some support to do it because it’s not cheap.”
Todd has secured some backing from his loyal UK-based supporters to help make the dream a reality.
“Obviously, DK Offroad and Ace Motorcycles are firing me a truck, it’s a massive caravan with a garage in it. So, I’m going to be taking that, they’re going to have it with the diesel as well. But, you know, there’s obviously flights and stuff. Without Mark, who’s my mechanic, he can’t do the first one. But this is where I really want it, this is what I really want to happen.”
There’s also plans to document the journey in a fun and entertaining way, giving fans a unique behind-the-scenes look at the experience.
“I want Joe from TMS Media to go as I would like him to come to the first one, it’s actually in his calendar to vlog the whole trip. Because I’m going to be driving, I think from Spring Creek to Washougal which is like 1,800 miles or something. So, the plan is to be filming every day and just get a bit of a Top Gear series going, you know. Just a bit of a laugh all the way through.”
With big goals ahead and a clear vision, Todd is reaching out for some final support to help bring the project to life.
“I do need a little bit of support. So, if you don’t mind, if there’s any sponsors out there, people want to get involved and help me out, help Joe out, get us all there with flights and whatnot. That would be very, very much appreciated. We can do things with the vlogs, possibly the bike kit, whatever. I’ll always try and work something out. I’m adamant that I can make this happen. So, I’m going to make it happen. Hopefully in the next video, you’ll see me rocking around Spring Creek.”
While his Blaxhall disappointment was far from ideal, Brad Todd is clearly motivated to turn things around in a big way. With four AMA Pro Motocross rounds on his radar and a passion project in the works, the British privateer is chasing his American dream — and doing it in style.
