Interview:Mark Fincham

There are many celebrities who in some ways inspire public. Today we've gonna talk with  not really  well-known but great and I think inspiring person, talented rider of MRO Rookies cup Mark Fincham.

Mark Fincham was born and  raised in King's Lynn, Norfolk. He was with bikes since  the age of 13. 

After finishing his A-Levels he decided to embark upon a career in the Royal Marines. Still into bikes but not getting much time to persue the track side of things he just did track days.

In March 2007 Fincham was involved in a nasty road accident where a car pulled a U-turn in front of him,having broken  his back and everything below.  The doctor said  "Time heals all.", but ankle was ruined. In 2009 he opted for an elective amputation of his  lower left leg to continue his career within the Royal Marines.  After an intensive physiotherapy course he was up and walking, running and continuing with life.  

Unfortunately early 2011 Mark realized that his  career in the Marines was over.  

And then he started racing again. At first there were track days, but now he races in the MRO rookies championship. This year he end on second position in championship. He's current bike is Kawasaki ZX-10. 

BB: How you get into the bikes? 

Mark: I remember being in the car as a small boy and my Dad telling me when a bike was coming past, from there I started watching races

BB: Why bike racing, not cars, or some other kind of sport? 

Mark: Well when I was 15 I was heavily into basketball, I wasnt too bad either but I thought I was better than I was, at the time my Dad offered to sponsor me racing as I still loved the bikes.  At the time I prefered the basketball, so it did nearly end up a different sport ( if only I had the talent).  Never would it be cars, cars get you from A to B, bike do the same but are so much more fun.

BB: What do you find most challenging in racing?

Mark: Haha the most challenging thing I face is myself, my standards for myself are unreachable, I think that comes from my former career in the military.

BB: What was your first bike?

Mark: My first bike was some field bike, I cant remember what it was, I do remember getting chased alot on it.

BB: You end this season really good, huge amount of trophies, 2nd overall, congratulations, are you satisfied with this results?

Mark: Well when we entered this season I wanted to win, my tolerance was top 3, but had accepted the fact it might be top ten.  So when you look at it like that finishing 2nd in my first ever year isnt too bad, but I m not happy as I made a huge mistake in the last meeting of the year that cost me the championship.  I had been faster than my competitor all weekend and hadnt pushed myself so I know that without that mistake I would've won the title.  I have come away from this year with about 26 trophies out of a possible 30 so thats not too bad I guess?

BB: Do you already have plans for 2013?

Mark: My plans for 2013 are too continue racing with BMCRC at the premier level, and possible do a few BSB rounds in the Superstock class

BB: Are you superstitious?Do you have any special rituals/preparations before the race?

Mark: I'm not really superstitious, but I have a few routines, leathers- my left leg ( prosthetic) goes on first, right leg, pull them around my waist and make sure my fake leg is on properly. Boots on next, followed by back protector and leathers going on my top half (undone).  Left ear plug followed by right, helmet, right glove, left glove then leathers zipped up.  I usually go for a nervous wee before all that happens too.

BB: I guess you train a lot, what does your usual training session consist of?

Mark: My training can be limited with a prosthetic leg, but I swim like a fish, hand cycle loads, then I do all endurance boy weight stuff for strength.

BB: In your opinion what is the most important thing for a young/rookie rider?

Mark: The most important thing for any rider is to enjoy it, every weekend has its ups and downs, not many are completely up.  The more I am enjoying a weekend the fast I go..

BB: Who would be your favorite rider to ride alongside?Past or present

Mark: Wow to ride alongside?!  Without a doubt Marco Simoncelli, without a doubt Valentino is a god and very clinical, but there was something about Marco, he was the Ayrton Senna of bikes, capable of making his bike do things it shouldnt and in such a style that made me grin like a kid everytime I saw him battle.

BB: Do you watch any racing championships?And who's your favorite rider? 

Mark: I watch GP, WSB, BSB, my favourite rider is Valentino, he is one year older than me and I have been lucky enough to watch his career develop.  Its a shame that people says he's lost it when at that level you need the machinery to perform, Vale doesnt need perfection but he needs more than what he has at Ducati, think about it he is 1 second off the pace around a 3 mile circuit..1 second!!  Look at your clocks and watch it tick once.. thats how much slower he is on the Duke than a Honda around 4800 metres of track.  

BB: And lastly, small message for the our readers. 

Mark: To all your readers,  thank you for reading this interview, if any of you come to the club racing or BSB paddock and see me please come and say hello, I'm hard to miss, not many racers have one leg :)  Also you can follow me on twitter @markfincham23

Rider bio:

Name - Mark Fincham

Nickname - 'Finchy'

D.O.B - 9/7/80

Height - 185cm

Weight - 97kgs

Current Bike - Kawasaki ZX10R - Ducati 916 - Honda Fireblade

Text:Anna Belkina
Photos: From Mark Fincham's  personal FB page