A chara, - I got a present two years ago of a book entitled Ragged Edge, by Stephen Davison. It is a photographer's portrait of motorcycle road-racing in Ireland and the UK, highlighting the leading performers in the field.
Among those profiled were Martin Finnegan RIP, Darren Lindsay RIP, David Jefferies RIP, Joey Dunlop RIP, Ryan Farquhar, John McGuinness, Dean Cooper, Kenny McCrea, and of course, Robert Dunlop RIP, who died tragically on Thursday evening in a practice session for the Northwest 200.
It is a dangerous sport, no doubt, as has been discussed in this paper, but also one of the most demanding and skilful sports with a hugely loyal following. But just like every other sport, motorcycle road-racing needs its heroes, alive. Imagine hurling losing Ring or Carey, soccer losing Pele or Best, or golf losing Nicklaus or Woods while those stars were at the top of their game.
This is the scale of what is happening to road-racing. The speed and efficiency of the paramedics' response at the road races is unquestionable, so we must look to other ways to protect those who risk their lives at every race.
While some fans want to keep the rawness and openness of the racing circuits, they cannot argue against the damage to the sport caused by the deaths of these leading racers. Organisers need to start paying for more protection at every bend and corner. Motorbikes are getting faster year by year, yet the protection at races is the same. Bales of hay are not enough to deal with accidents happening at such speed.
Race organisers need to consider better ways of protecting at least the most dangerous corners and bends to avoid more deaths. We can no longer sit idly by and mourn more and more of our heroes.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha. - Is mise,
RICHARD WILSON, Northbrook Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.