Jacob & Nyah Trophy
The Jacob & Nyah Trophy is so named after the two children of Banger racing enthusiast Nicky Sylvester. Three years ago, in Jan 2007, Nicky was taken very seriously ill on the day of the Winter Open Championship.
Nicky takes up the story, "I was buzzing because I knew that on the Sunday I would be at Smeatharpe, watching Bangers. I so admire all the drivers: - for going out there and entertaining everyone and having a good time doing it. - for all their hard work getting the cars ready and some amazing paint jobs."
Nicky continues, "On the Wednesday I was a bit miffed to find myself feeling a little under the weather. My neck hurt a bit, I had a bit of a cold, but figured I would be fine by the Sunday. When the Sunday came, I set off for racing, but the next thing I knew was that I woke up in Intensive Care Unit".
My first question, after 'Oh my god, what does my hair look like?' was: 'Can I still go to the Winter Open?' I was not happy when they said 'No!'
What Nicky didn't realise at the time was that she had Meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, and that her family had been called in to say their last goodbyes as she was not be expected to survive over the weekend.
Thankfully Nicky did survive and she concludes: "As a consequence of what happened, the Winter Open has a special place in my life. The event is a part of me, and I want to be a part of it in some way. My illness brought some things into focus:
- I wasn't supposed to die - so I have even more faith in the saying: "Life is short, let's go racing!"
- Always have a purpose. My purpose is my family, especially my children. My other passion is racing and I would love to be involved in some part of it in some way - it's what helps keep me going."
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