Thruxton: Amesbury racer Stephen Thomas hospitalised after crash

Stephen Thomas, who is a sergeant in the Royal Military Police, took part in the Quattro Plant Hire British Supersport 600 Sprint Race at Thruxton Circuit for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship on Saturday, August 12.

During lap five of the race, SGT Thomas high-sided a corner of the track at 120 miles per hour and flew off the saddle.

The 31-year-old received medical attention at the track before being transported to Southampton Hospital where he was found to have sustained two fractured vertebrae, a battered right arm with a major cut to his elbow, a broken thumb and other scrapes and bruises.

WATCH: Stephen Thomas comes off Thruxton Circuit (viewer discretion)

Members of his independent racing team, consisting of friends and family, said: "Considering the speed of the crash, we're lucky no further injury was caused".

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Despite not racing since October 2022 and only completing one track day in 2023, SGT Thomas matched his personal best of 1:20.1 and placed three of 40 during qualifier one.

Moments before the crash he was 21st and travelling faster than the two riders ahead of him.

The remains of Stephen Thomas' superbike. (Image: Tommo21)

The Amesbury-based racer remained in the hospital and missed the final race on Sunday, August 13. He told fans: "I’m gutted for the weekend to have ended as it has but I’m proud of what we were achieving.

"I felt quicker than the two riders ahead and was lining up a pass at the time of the crash."

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@salisburyjournal Stephen ‘Tommo21’ Thomas had a 120 mph crash at #Thruxton during the #BSB on Saturday, August 12. #superbike #crash #bikecrash #racing ♬ original sound - SalisburyJournal

On Friday, August 11, SGT Thomas had overheating issues with his Triumph Daytona and there were doubts if he'd be able to continue the race.

He sourced a spare engine to prepare for the worst but the team were able to fix the problem before qualifiers started.

Stephen Thomas (right) with his Tommo21 racing team. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

SGT Thomas is an Army Elite Sportsman who started in 2017 and became the only member of the military to race in the BSB.

One year later, he won his first championship - the 2018 Thundersport GB A&R Racing Pre-National 600. 

BSB Rd7 Sat Quattro Group British Supersport and GP2 Race. (Image: Michael Wincott Photography)

He is sponsored by Salisbury-based companies JMF Heating and Plumbing, Signs in Motion, Southern Quarter, JP Autobodies and Hartsprays.

This season was likely to be the last SGT Thomas ran his own team as he looks to join True Heroes Racing next year.

"It’s a shame it’s ended in this way but I’ll hold my head up high knowing we performed well above our own expectations," he added.