'It toughens you up, nothing can prepare you for it'

Warning: This article contains themes of suicide, self harm and mental health

A 22-year-old motorcycle racer walking around a paddock in a top hat is going to stand out.

But that is the whole point for Storm Stacey. It's a conversation starter, a way to encourage people to open up about their feelings.

He was 13 years of age when he discovered his dad had died by suicide, and it has shaped his path, not only as a sportsman, but how he interacts through life.

"You wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy and nothing can prepare you for that," Stacey said on the BBC Bikes podcast.

"But do you know what? It toughens you up. I could have gone down the road of drugs, partying, gone off the rails, probably be in prison.

"But what kept me going was motorbike racing. It gave me purpose and something to do, something to keep fighting for, to keep progressing and keep going."

Engines are in Stacey's DNA. His first rode a motorbike at just three years of age and he got a love of both motorcycles and cars from his late father.

A love of classic cars comes from his father, including a 1966 Ford Mustang that was handed down to him.

His collection is extensive and ranges from a Rolls-Royce, a Dodge Ram to a Ford Fiesta R2 rally car.

He was even named after a Lister Storm, a rare, historic British sportscar from the 1990s.

But, despite his love for bikes, Stacey had very little interest in watching them race.

When his dad suggested going to watch MotoGP or World Superbikes at Donington Park or Silverstone, Stacey didn't want to go.

"Even if I did go, I'd be pulling the grass out the floor and stuff like that. I wasn't watching the racing because I wanted to do it. I wanted to ride the bike.

"I got really jealous. I see people doing stuff and I want to do it. I'm not a good watcher at all.

"I'd say there is a bug to race, but there's more jealousy."

After Stacey's father died, his mum used "the last bits of money we had" to pay for his season in 2019.

The one-year gamble paid off. He almost won the British Superstock 600 title and earned a ride in the British Superbike Championship.

"I said to mum 'right, this is one year, we'll do it now', and if it don't work out now then we'll knock it on the head.

"You hear things like the parents of Casey Stoner [a two-time MotoGP champion] sold the house and stuff like that.

"Fair play, it's absolute commitment, but it's too uncertain to take risks like that for me and for my family."

Stacey stepped up to the British Superbike Championship in 2020, and only missed out on becoming the youngest rider in the series' history as the start of the season was delayed because of the Covid pandemic.

He won his first race in 2024, and will return to the championship in 2026 with Batham's Racing.

So when you see a top hat when at the circuits, you don't just see a top racer, but also someone who is open about how he feels.

For Stacey, the eccentric headwear is his "armour" and an "accessory" to talk about mental health.

"People love it, people get behind it, and it's my armour," he said.

"I've always wore it, and my dad wore eccentric hats, he wore cowboy hats, top hats, and top hat always stuck a lot towards the end.

"That's why I wear it, in memory of my dad and to put my foot in the ground and try and change the male mindset to speak out to people, because men don't. People see it as a weakness, but it's not."

Stacey said his "inbox is always open", adding: "I'm not a superstar, I'm just a lad that rides motorbikes."

"You'd rather talk to someone than go to their funeral. With situations in life, suicide isn't the way out."

Stacey will make his debut at the North West 200 road race with Batham's Racing in May and said it was an "itch I need to scratch".

"The North West is a box I'd really like to tick," he said.

"Racing at 200 miles per hour, five abreast and slipstream in turbulence. It's a whole new realm of stuff I've never had to deal with.

"The closest I've come to slipstream like that would be Thruxton in the heat and that is just ridiculous in itself."

Stacey believes he can challenge for the British Superbike title this season and while he admits the dangers of road racing could jeopardise his hopes, he says "you've got to live your life".

"I'll open up now and say, I am really nervous about doing the North West," he said.

"I'm nervous about BSB too. I'm nervous about the whole thing.

"I'm petrified about it going wrong. I really want it to go right, and on that inner weakness, because if I can beat them all, I will.

"I'm nervous, but nerves are good."

If you have been affected by issues raised in this article, there is information and support available on BBC Action Line.