Richard Britton illuminated the Irish road racing circuit with his characteristic, incredible green leathers and cheerful countenance.
"He was always immediately recognisable by his smile," according to Ray Kerr, PRO of the Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club.
"I will have a lasting memory of him as such a nice guy with a great sense of humour. He was more than a racer, he was a genuine and popular human being like Joey Dunlop," added Ray.
Enniskillen rider Richard Britton was killed in an accident in the 250cc race at the Ballybunion road races last weekend.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that Britton's bike seized, as he raised his hand from the clutch lever to signal his retirement from the race, the back wheel probably spun out of control fatally throwing him from his bike.
"It was a freak accident, he wasn't even going fast when it happened," according to photographer Stephen Davison.
The Co Kerry race meeting was being held for the first time this year. "It started out as a beautiful day," said race PRO Conor Harnett. "Everyone was looking forward to the racing. His death put a dark cloud over the whole event. As soon as we realised something was wrong the racing was stopped immediately and didn't resume.
"We were so thrilled to get Richard to the Ballybunion races. He didn't make it to the other road race we organised at Athea this year, so we were delighted to have him this time. It's a terrible tragedy and we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the Britton family."
On the future of Ballybunion, Harnett said: "It's too soon to comment on the future at this stage - sadly, apart from the tragedy, it was successful."
Britton was born in England in 1970 and later moved to Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. He began his racing career in the Clubman's Championships, winning the 400cc class.
In 1998 he joined the Schimmel Racing Team on Honda machinery and successfully won the Regal 600 Championship.
In 2000 team manager Willis Marshall invited him to join the PJ O'Kane team. Gracing a Yamaha 600R6 he took a double win at Nutts Corner.
The team later acquired Jason Griffith's Yamaha R1 and he finished the season winning the Regal 600 Championship marking the first Irish Championship for PJ O'Kane's team. He went on to win his fourth Regal 600cc Championship in 2002 and was crowned Irish 600 Road Race Champion at the Dundalk Road Races in 2003.
A proud podium finisher at both the Isle of Man TT and the Ulster GP, Britton will be sadly missed by the road racing community. "He was awesomely quick and spectacular, which is why he was the people's favourite," according to Stephen Davison.
Friend and designer of his website, Brian Farrell, said: "Often people spoke to me who never knew him and said he was just such a nice guy with a very specific smile.
"I can honestly say that Richard was not somebody that was liked but truly loved by his fans."
Richard Britton is survived by his wife, Maria, and five-year-old son Loris.