‘He died doing what he loved’: Tributes to Shrewsbury father killed in motorbike race
Tributes have been paid to a “caring, compassionate and thoughtful” father-of-four who died while motorbike racing.
Dwight Bond, from Shrewsbury, was competing in the Thundersport GB series when he crashed at Oulton Park, in Cheshire.
Mr Bond, aged 42, who worked as a property developer, had been racing in the Pre-National 600 class when the accident happened at Lodge Corner during his first ever club race meeting, on April 21.
He died later from his injuries at Royal Stoke University Hospital.
His wife, Nicola, today said Mr Bond had been “on the ride of his life” before the accident and said he had died “doing what he loved”.
She said: “He was the most caring, compassionate and thoughtful husband and dad anyone could ever wish for.
“What happened on the day was just a tragic accident. The Thundersport team did everything they could and the hospital staff were also brilliant.
“I am not angry because Dwight was doing what he really loved up until the accident. We were all so proud watching him.”
Fellow club motorbike racers have also been quick to honour the memory of Mr Bond.
Family friend Alun Brooks, 44, from Welshpool, who was also competing at the Thundersport round but in a different class, said: “Having known Dwight for a good few years, I was eager to help him out on his first race day, so I got him into our garage as I knew he would be welcomed in and plenty of lads would help him out.
“With his qualifying going as well as it did – he qualified as third quickest Freshman on the day – I was eager to watch his race.
" When the other riders in our garage came in and said it had been red-flagged, and Dwight didn’t come back, I started to panic. That’s when we heard the news that Dwight had come off.
“Dwight’s family went to race control and I went about 10 minutes after. I didn’t hear that Dwight had passed until his wife contacted me later on that evening.
“That’s when I contacted the other riders to inform them of the terrible news. We are all devastated by the outcome and he will sadly be missed, but we will all carry on racing in his memory.”
Michael Coxon, from Stockton-on-Tees, in Durham, who serves in the military and was racing in the same class, said: “I was introduced to Dwight by Alun the night before his tragic accident, along with Jonathan Metcalf and my father, Geoff.
“Dwight was more than happy and he knew the circuit well, better than me.
“Once back in the garage, all we talked about was bikes, bikes and more bikes.
“Dwight was a really down to earth guy, very well spoken and so easy to get on with.
“It was an absolute pleasure having met Dwight for the short time and it was apparent he loved motorcycles.
“I’m sure we would have seen more of him in the paddock had this tragic accident not of claimed his life.
“My condolences go out to Dwight’s family at this difficult time. I would also like to thank everyone involved in trying to save Dwight. The team of marshals and medical teams are second to none.”
Stephen Thomas, from Ipswich, who was also racing in the same class, said: “We had the honour of sharing the garage with Dwight before the incident. We could immediately tell he was a caring, genuine guy. He loved bikes and was excited for this one opportunity to go racing at his local circuit.
“The freak incident that took Dwight’s life has shook us all to our core. I won’t go back out on track without a chest protector but will continue to race in his memory.
“On behalf of all the team, the sponsors and the Royal Military Police, our heart felt condolences go to Dwight Bond’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”
A celebration service will be held for Mr Bond, who was father to Ella, Imogen, Hannah and Henry, at Barnabas Community Church, Shrewsbury, on May 11, at 12.30pm.
It is family flowers only but donations will support the work of the ITU at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
