TT book scoops prize at awards ceremony
Rick Broadbent's book 'That Near-Death Thing' has scooped the motorsport prize at the British Sports Book Awards.
The book charts the paths of Conor Cummins and Guy Martin from the trauma of the 2010 TT to their cathartic return a year later, with John McGuinness and Michael Dunlop also featuring heavily. Now Rick hopes those who enjoyed the book will vote for it as it goes up against the other winners for the overall prize.
The book is just out now in paperback and has an updated afterword taking in the 2012 TT. Rick says he hopes that, in a small way, the book will help bring the TT into the mainstream, while accepting that its "outsider status" is part of its appeal.
'That Near-Death Thing' was shortlisted for the William Hill Prize at the end of last year, losing out to 'The Secret Race', the confessional of cyclist Tyler Hamilton which was instrumental in bringing down Lance Armstrong. Rick noted the irony in the drug EPO playing a key part in his downfall when Guy Martin merrily admitted he took the stuff while working on Grimsby docks.
"The TT is the real secret race," he said. "It is getting more and more coverage, but it is still a bunch of blokes doing something for kicks rather than cash. I think it exposes the silliness and shallowness of a lot of other sport."
Murray Walker, the broadcasting legend, was full of admiration for the book. "I am genuinely consumed with respect and admiration and feel that anyone who has the least feeling for the TT should sell their wife and children, if necessary, and buy the book. There have been other "bare bones" factual accounts about this legendary event but none of the ones that I have read have captured the soul and spirit of it the way Broadbent has."
The nine individual winners at the British Sports Book Awards, held on Tuesday night at Lord's cricket ground, now go into a public vote for the overall champion title.
You can vote here
If you haven't read the book yet it is available from the Official Isle of Man TT Shop here