SCI Daily News

Isaac Elliott has high hopes of contesting this year's Finke Desert Race with the full support of his brothers Zoran and Troy. Picture: CHLOE ERLICH

Isaac Elliott has high hopes of contesting this year's Finke Desert Race with the full support of his brothers Zoran and Troy.

The NT motocross star's career and life was nearly cut short 12 months ago after a high-speed crash in Alice Springs.

Elliott, 21, cheated death on April 21, 2007, when training for the Finke Desert race when he overshot a corner and hit a tree. The accident left him with two broken shoulders and extensive lower back injuries from which he will never recover.

His participation in this year's Finke -- on a modified bike -- is still to be confirmed by officials.

Just as he forged his reputation as a fierce and, at times, freakish competitor, Elliott was to embark on an audacious return to racing. His brush with death left him with a broken body but not a broken spirit.

When asked if fear gripped him during the initial uncertain weeks in hospital Elliott replied: "No, never.''

"I was never scared about what life held for me, I was alive which was a good outcome.''

Within days of the crash, while still lying in hospital, the then 20-year-old mapped out his racing comeback on a paraplegic-friendly bike.

"I never imagined not riding a bike again,'' he said. "I can't imagine not riding ... racing and leading a normal life is all I could think about.''

Busying himself with dreams of building the paraplegic-friendly bike helped distract him from the reality of a long, frustrating and painful rehabilitation. Riding bikes now is proof that no matter his situation, life is about as normal as it ever was, so much so in fact, that it takes a bit to remind him that he is in a wheelchair.

"I will read a magazine or watch footage of some sick jump and think 'hell yeah, I'm up for that' then realise it is actually beyond me','' he said.

"I don't consider myself disabled or label myself a paraplegic. Sometimes I forget I'm in a wheelchair. Maybe it's denial?

"But as long as I'm busy coming up with something new to do I'll be right -- no use thinking about what I can't do too much ... that would be sad.''

Only four months after the accident Elliott was back on board his trusty KTM -- a heavily modified bike which is controlled fully by hand and sporting protective bars.

And it's on that bike that the Elliott of old -- bold and competitive -- was to claim a world-first, as the only known paraplegic to win an open motocross title.

And so a legend, of sorts, was born, the clearest example of the Territory tough spirit and epitome of sporting bravery. But try explaining that to him.