A doctor from Northern Ireland who helps to keep scores of bikers safe in road races across the country – including at the recent North West 200 – has been given the perfect tonic from Bridgestone, who have given him a season’s supply of their Battlax R10 Racing tyres.
John Hinds, an intensive care consultant and anaesthetist at Craigavon Hospital, gives up his spare time to be an on-track medic at famous Irish road events to ensure any accidents are attended swiftly and initial triage administered where necessary.
John, from Tandragee, carries out the voluntary role without support, and so he needs all the help he can get to stay safe on the road himself in the first place.
Thankfully, Bridgestone heard about John’s selfless work and agreed to provide him with a supply of MotoGP inspired Battlax R10 Racing tyres for the year.
John rides a BMW S1000RR (pictured) and has already been feeling the benefits at the Cookstown 100 and Tandragee 100 and will also be present at the North West 200, Skerries, Walderstown, Kells (practice day), Armoy, Ulster Grand Prix and Killalane events.
He said: “I can’t thank Bridgestone enough. The tyres are tremendous and were it not for the donation of them, I would struggle to continue in the role of race doctor.
“Because the courses are between two and nine miles long, they are too short for a helicopter and too long for an ambulance response.
“This makes my role more important as I can be on the scene quickly to administer initial triage and resuscitation.”
Bridgestone’s product manager Gary Hartshorne said: “We know how exciting these road races are but we also know how crucially important it is to have the right medical response on hand.
“Dr John’s role is self-funded and a lot of his voluntary work comes from his own pocket. We were only too pleased to acknowledge his work with a season’s worth of R10 tyres which we know will perform brilliantly in all conditions, at all circuits.”
John has been a keen biker since 1997 and has also attended a number of courses with the police in the off-season to improve his riding skills.
He added: “If you are a fan of road racing then there is no better seat in the house than mine. You are giving something back to the sport too. It is an absolute privilege to be involved in the way I am.”
Find out more about the Battlax R10 here.
