Waking Up From Hell: What It's Like to See Your Own Death

By Lewis Barnett 2 July, 2025 7 mins read 50 Views

Jesus Christ.

I mean, where do you even start with something like this? Tai Woffinden – three-time world speedway champion, absolute legend on two wheels – just told me the most bone-chilling thing I've heard in years of covering motorsport. "I got to see what it looked like if I was dead," he said, sitting there like he was discussing the weather. March 30th changed everything for this guy, and honestly? I'm still processing what he shared with me.

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The Crash That Nearly Ended Everything

Picture this: you're flying around a dirt track at speeds that would make most people wet themselves, and suddenly – BANG. Teammate collision. Fence. Game over. Woffy broke fifteen bones. Fifteen. I had to write that number twice because it sounds made up.

Double break in his right leg, broken back, shoulder, multiple ribs, punctured lung, fractured arm, and blood loss that... well, let's just say the doctors weren't optimistic. Three major operations later, they put him in an induced coma and basically hoped for teh best.

His wife Faye hasn't left his side since. Poor woman's been through absolute hell.

Coming Back From the Dead (Sort Of)

Here's where it gets really weird – and honestly, kind of terrifying. When Tai woke up from that coma, he described himself as looking "like an 80-year-old crackhead with a nice set of teeth." His words, not mine, but damn if that doesn't paint a picture.

The hallucinations were so bad they had to tie him down. Mittens on his hands, restraints on his legs – the whole nine yards. "They said to Faye if he doesn't calm down, we'll put him back in a coma," he told me. Can you imagine being told that about your husband?

But here's the thing that got me... Tai went back and read all the tributes people posted when they thought he might die. "I got to see what it looked like if I was dead," he said. "It was really weird, a really strange feeling."

I've been doing this job for twelve years, and I've never heard anything quite like that.

Will He Ever Race Again? Nobody Knows

"Honestly I don't know what the plan is moving forward or if I'm going ride again," Woffinden admitted. They're selling up in the UK, don't know where they'll live next year, don't know if he'll ever get back on a bike. The uncertainty is killing him, you can tell.

He's got MRI results pending that'll determine if he needs another operation on his arm. At 34, with a body that's been through a blender, the math isn't exactly encouraging.

From Speedway to... DJ Superstar?

Plot twist nobody saw coming: while he's recovering, Tai's going full throttle into his DJ career. And I'm not talking about wedding gigs here – he's collaborating with Oliver Heldens, the Dutch house legend who DJ'd Man City's title celebrations and is teaching Jack Grealish how to spin records.

Their track "The Orange Room" drops this week. It's based on some symphonic piece from the 1600s that most people know from A Clockwork Orange. "Using a speedway analogy," Tai explained, "I'm probably in the National Development League. But now I've teamed up with Tomasz Gollob."

That's... actually a brilliant way to put it.

The Support That Kept Him Going

The speedway community rallied around Woffinden in ways that still make him emotional. Stadiums in Wroclaw, Torun, and across Europe were chanting his name while he was fighting for his life. Social media exploded with tributes from fans who genuinely thought they were saying goodbye to Britain's greatest speedway rider.

"When I was in a coma no one really knew what was going on. All the messages, it was wild," he said.

The doctors noticed something interesting though – whenever Faye was by his side, even in the coma, Tai would calm down. She'd talk to him, and somehow, even unconscious, he'd listen. Makes you believe in something bigger than medical science, doesn't it?

What's Next?

Nobody knows. Not even Tai.

He's ahead of schedule in rehab, which is typical for a guy who's spent his career defying physics on a motorcycle. But whether that translates to ever racing again? That's the million-dollar question everyone's afraid to ask directly.

For now, he's focused on the music, on healing, on figuring out where he and Faye will call home next year. It's messy and uncertain and completely human – which, after everything he's been through, feels exactly right.

Sometimes the best comeback stories aren't about returning to where you were. Sometimes they're about discovering who you become when everything you thought you knew gets stripped away.

Tai Woffinden is still writing that story. And honestly? I can't wait to see how it ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Formula 1's top teams?

Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing are the current leaders in Formula 1 racing. Mercedes, with its long history of winning constructors’ championships, has enjoyed a sustained run of success. Ferrari, on the other hand, has consistently been one of the top teams in Formula 1. Red Bull Racing is a team that has been able to compete with these giants because of its innovation and drive.

Can Formula 1 car refuel at the race?

As of the current regulations, mid-race refueling is banned in Formula 1. This rule was implemented in 2010 to increase safety and lower costs. Now, cars must start the race with enough fuel to reach the finish, adding a strategic element where teams must balance fuel weight against speed and efficiency.

What is Parc Ferrme in Formula 1?

The FIA uses the term Parc Ferme to describe a secured area in the pit lane, where the cars are closely monitored by them before and after the qualifying session and race. After cars have entered Parc Ferme they cannot be altered in any way except for certain allowed changes. This is to ensure that the cars adhere to the rules, and that no team gains an unfair advantage.

What are the different power units used in Formula 1?

The Formula 1 Power Unit consists a hybrid engine and Energy Recovery System. The ICE is a V6 turbocharged engine. Meanwhile, the ERS uses energy from the car exhaust and braking system to produce additional power. Combining both technologies increases not only the performance of the car but also its efficiency.

How does the Formula 1 champion get determined?

The Formula 1 World Champion's title is determined by points collected throughout the season. Drivers receive points for their Grand Prix finishes. The higher the position, the more points they earn. The World Champion is the driver who finishes the season with the most number of points. Constructors' Championship is similarly decided by adding up the points scored by each team's drivers.

What is F1's difference between slicks vs. wet tires?

Slick tires in Formula 1 are designed for dry conditions, and their smooth surface area provides maximum contact with the track, offering the highest levels of grip. Conversely, wet tires, which include intermediates and full wets, have tread patterns that disperse water on wet tracks, reducing the risk of aquaplaning, and offering traction in rainy conditions. The intermediates tire is used for light to moderate rainfall, and the full wet tire is suitable for heavy rainfall.

How do Formula 1 teams transport equipment between races?

Formula 1 teams plan logistics meticulously to transport their parts, cars and equipment worldwide. In Europe, trucks are usually used. Air cargo is more preferred for overseas and long-distance events. Each team maintains a logistics division to ensure that everything arrives on schedule and in perfect condition. This is done by carefully managing a season-long complex schedule that crosses multiple continents.

Statistics

Ayrton Senna holds the record for most consecutive pole positions, achieving a series of eight poles from the 1988 Spanish Grand Prix to the 1989 United States Grand Prix.
As of the end of the 2022 season, Formula 1 races have been held in 34 different countries around the world.
Ferrari is the most successful team in Formula 1 history, with 16 Constructors' Championships to their name.
The Silverstone Circuit, home to the British Grand Prix, has hosted more Formula 1 races than any other circuit since the championship began in 1950.
Kimi Räikkönen holds the record for the fastest lap in Formula 1 history, set at the Italian Grand Prix in 2018 with an average speed of 263.587 km/h (163.785 mph).
The largest winning margin in a Formula 1 race was recorded by Jim Clark in 1963 at the Belgian Grand Prix, with a lead of nearly 5 minutes over the second-place finisher.
The 2020 Formula 1 season comprised the shortest calendar in recent history with just 17 races, due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza is known as the 'Temple of Speed', which has the highest average speed of any circuit on the current Formula 1 calendar.

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How To

How to Analyze Formula 1 Tire Strategies

Formula 1 tire strategy is a complex decision influenced by race conditions and circuit characteristics as well as car performance. To analyze these strategies, start by understanding the different tire compounds provided by the sole supplier, Pirelli, and their performance properties. Track the tire usage for each driver during the race. Note how changes in race pace or position are correlated with the use of different compounds. Follow post-race analysis on F1 broadcasters or online motorsport publications, where experts break down the success or failure of different tire strategies employed during the race.

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