Nice story, but highly unlikely 😉 . Love him or loathe him Paul Bird does a lot for the sport and has also gone way beyond the call of duty at times, he reportedly paid an injured Stuart Easton a wage after his northwest crash and offered him a ride for when Stuart was ready, Easton was not even a PBM rider at the time. Once again he has picked up Hutchy when SMR eventually gave up on the deal and is reaping the benefits. I'm sure there are plenty of riders that have felt hard done by too, farmer and Ellison spring to mind.