Not even a brush with death will deter Jimmy Dye from achieving his dream.

The 19-year-old is determined to make a career out of racing.

That desire was put to the test last August when Dye, from Barns Green near Horsham, almost lost his life in a horrific crash at Cadwell Park.

Any lesser man would have, understandably, called it a day but Dye is racing again eight months after the accident.

Not only that but he is competitive and hungry to go faster in his pursuit of honours.

Dye's world was turned upside down on that day at Cadwell Park when he was racing his Team Buff 675 Triumph in the British Superport 600 class.

On the first lap Dye fell from his bike between Coppice and Charlies Corners and was struck by two following bikes, suffering a serious head injury.

He explained: “I had internal bleeding in two places in the brain, as well as behind the breast bone and behind the bowel.

“I was in a coma, on life support and intensive care for a few days and was in hospital for three weeks.

“I don't remember any of it and my memory is not great now.

“I wasn't allowed to race for six months and had to see the doctors before I raced again but I got back on a bike in February.

“It hasn't affected me because I don't remember it. Racing is the only thing I have ever wanted to do.”

Dye has been earmarked as a rider with potential since starting out in motocross. He then competed in the Aprilia 125 Championship for two years, coming third in his second year, before moving to the Triumph Triple Challenge in 2007 which he won by a massive160 points.

Then came the move to the British Supersport 600 in 2008 which did not go so well. The bike was under-performing, results were not great and then Dye had his crash.

However, hope came for Dye in one of his darkest moments.

He said: “I am now racing for JX Kawasaki and I owe them a big thanks.

“They rang me when I was in hospital. I spoke to them then and it went from there. They provide the bikes and everything.

“They have seen potential in me. The team is great, they listen to me and if there is something wrong they will do their best to fix it.”

Dye finished 11th in the opening round of the British Superstock 600 race at Brands Hatch but insists there is more to come.

He said: “I came 11th but was hoping to do a bit better. I didn't have all my confidence back for the close overtaking but by the end of the race it was coming back.

“I want to be at the top, it is just getting my confidence back. There is still more to come from the bike and next round at Oulton Park I should be even faster.

“My family have never tried to stop me. They know it is the only thing I want to do.

“I want to be at the front and I know my times are good enough to be at the front.

“I want to make a career of this but there is a long way to go. I will try my hardest to get there.”