The journey back into competitive racing has certainly been a challenging once for Bruce Adams.
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A motorcycle accident back in 2010 left him with significant injuries, but it’s a journey that has well and truly paid off, with the determined racer having gone from strength to strength.
Spending four years on the sidelines after being hospitalised for two months due to his road accident, Adams, who had previously raced motorcycles throughout NSW, decided to return to the racing scene.
The Mittagong driver traded two wheels for four and asphalt for dirt, leasing a Modlite and running a few race meetings just shy of his 50th birthday in 2014.
Leasing a car and then obtaining his own, Adams spent two seasons with the Modlites class before stepping into Compact Speedcars.
He purchased a Datsun-powered Wright chassis from NSW Compact Speedcars President and fellow racer Gaby Yammouni and later upgraded to a more familiar Suzuki GSXR motorbike engine.
Contesting around a dozen race meetings throughout his debut season, Compact Speedcars were a huge learning curve for Adams, but one he certainly took in his stride, eventually coming away with second place in the NSW B Grade Championship point score and Rookie of the Year honours.
Stepping it up in the recently concluded 2017-18 season, the 54-year-old racer went from being a mid-pack runner to a regular feature-race podium contender.
He placed second to current NSW Champion Mark Heaton during an outing at Cullen Bullen Raceway and third in a race meeting at Bega’s Sapphire Speedway.
Recently attending the NSW presentation night, Adams was shocked to find that he managed to go one better this season, with his performances throughout the season also earning him an overall victory in the NSW B Grade Championship point score.
“I grew up just a stone’s throw from the Sydney Showground and I’ve been a speedway fan since a very early age. So to be this competitive after joining the Compact Speedcars class just last season and being a late starter to the racing game is really pleasing,” Adams said.
“It’s a fantastic class made up of really great people and I’m thoroughly enjoying my time there. I definitely feel like I’m getting more comfortable with that car and I’m looking forward to hopefully building on my form from this season just gone.”
Upgrading to a Stealth chassis for the upcoming 2018-19 season, which he debuted at Cullen Bullen Raceway towards the end of last season, enjoying a competitive run, Adams plans on contesting the full season schedule – including both the Australian and NSW Titles.
Adams thanked 2017-18 season sponsors for their continued support: JC Automotive - Picton, Inland Digital - Orange, Loglan Off Road (Luke Storey and Wendy Swan), RM Car Detailing - Moss Vale, Polka Dot Fitness - Mittagong, and the charity ‘It’s OK not to be OK’.
He gave a special thank to his wife Liz, and their three daughters Amanda, Debra and Melody.