A Pride of Britain nominee died in a motorbike crash while he was trying to break a 204mph speed record on an airfield and overshot the runway, an inquest has heard.
Martin McConnell, 58, reached 186mph on a half mile straight but came off his turbo-charged Suzuki Hayabusa as he tore through the long grass and scrub at the end of the tarmac.
Paramedics were with him within moments but the father-of-three died at the scene in front of onlookers at the event, called Terminal Velocity.
Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard how the Army veteran, who had previously achieved 241mph at another airfield, had told friends it was to be his last year of racing after ten years in the sport.
One pal, Stephen Chambers, told the inquest: ‘He believed the record was in his reach but was also aware that the breaking distance [on the runway] was less than he was used to.’
Mr McConnell was taking part in the high-octane event at Tibenham Airfield near Diss in Norfolk on July 23, 2023, when he was seen to ‘fly off’ his 1,300cc bike.
Another friend, Darren Rose, told the inquest in Norwich: ‘Martin was experienced in racing and getting up to speed.
Martin McConnell, 58, reached 186mph on a half mile straight but came off his turbo-charged Suzuki Hayabusa as he tore through the long grass and scrub at the end of the tarmac

Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard how the Army veteran, who had previously achieved 241mph at another airfield, had told friends it was to be his last year of racing after ten years in the sport

Paramedics were with him within moments but the father-of-three died at the scene in front of onlookers at the event, called Terminal Velocity
‘On the morning of the 23rd he mentioned that he wanted to try and achieve a speed record with two people riding, so was making plans for future events.’
Mr McConnell, who had served in the Royal Corps of Transport, had been left with post-traumatic stress disorder after a tour of Iraq.
He set up a fundraising group called ExForces PTSD and took part in regular challenges to raise money.
In 2018, he was nominated as fundraiser of the year at the Pride of Britain Awards after helping to raise £33,000 for Holidays for Heroes Jersey.
He had met a new partner, Sharon Woodward-Baker, a few months before his death, and had recently moved from London to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire.
She said: ‘He loved racing and was excited about the event. It has been a very difficult time since losing him but I am so grateful for the time we spent together.’
Mr McConnell’s son, James, said that his father was the happiest he had been in some time following his move.
In a Facebook tribute at the time of his death, James added: ‘None of this seems real, but we all know the risks taken when competing in motorcycle racing.

Mr McConnell, who had served in the Royal Corps of Transport, had been left with post-traumatic stress disorder after a tour of Iraq
‘Unfortunately, today is a day I never saw coming. We have lost my dad Martin McConnell in a high-speed crash at Tibenham Airfield.
‘I am lost for words at the minute. I know for a fact he died smiling and doing what he loved. RIP dad, I will never forget you. The memories we have will live on forever in our hearts.’
Kryssie Chittenden of Suzuki Turbo Racing, which provided team support for Mr McConnell, described him as ‘the kindest-hearted person you’ll ever meet’.
She added in a Facebook post after his death: ‘You’ll never meet another man like him. Just moments before his crash he was smiling and (in) the most delightful moods as the picture will show.
‘I’m still in shock and disbelieve he is gone. I was expecting to get to him at the end of the runway laughing but in a bit of pain sitting on the grass but unfortunately it was far from that.’
Mr Rose, who was Mr McConnell’s crew chief for the event, added at the time: ‘We are both lost for words at the moment, that someone so larger than life and who worked so hard and gave so much to others has been so cruelly taken away from us all.
‘It’s especially devasting knowing how much Martin had turned his life around in the last year and how happy he was with the way things were going in all the areas of his life.
‘Martin’s racing was one of his ways of dealing with his PTSD whilst also raising money and awareness for other veterans suffering from the same condition.

Mr McConnell’s son, James, said that his father was the happiest he had been in some time after moving to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire
‘His loss is immeasurable and we are totally devasted and heartbroken to have lost one of our racing family and a man we were so proud to call our friend.
‘Our heartfelt condolences go out to Martin’s partner Sharon, his family and all his friends for his loss.
‘We all know the risks involved with riding bikes and going fast but it doesn’t make it any easier when someone is so cruelly snatched away from you.
‘Rest in peace Martin knowing you made a huge difference to so many lives and were so loved by so many.’
The website for Terminal Velocity Events said it ran runway days to give people ‘the opportunity to drive your car as fast as you can within a safe, secure and most importantly, legal environment’.
The inquest continues.
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