I was so sad to hear this news yesterday. Martin was one of the best people I have had the pleasure of meeting in road racing as well as being a magnificent rider who loved to entertain the public with his full-on riding style. The first time I met Martin in person was at Skerries several years ago when I was introduced to him by Paul Phillips. Whenever I have seen him since then he has always greeted me by name, and always had time to at least smile and pass the time of day no matter how busy he might have been at that particular moment.

I have always remembered an incident which Gail touched on in her posting earlier in this thread. At the Southern 100 a couple of years ago Martin was just coming in from a practice session while Gail was getting ready to go out on her 125. Martin made a point of walking the full length of the scrutineer's paddock to warn Gail about some oil that he thought was lying on a particular part of the circuit. He didn't have to do that, and the fact that he went out of his way to do so was the sign of a quality man who cared deeply about his fellow competitors.

Martin loved the TT to the point of obsession, and I doubt whether there was anyone who worked harder to learn the course and to prepare in the right way for the event. He never managed the win that would have meant so much to him, but his quality was shown by the fact that he was only the 3rd rider after David Jefferies and John McGuinness to record a 127mph lap.

Martin Finnegan was a top-class man and a top-class rider who will never be forgotten by anyone fortunate enough to have known him. I would like to offer my heartfelt sympathy to his family and all his friends at such a tragic time.

David Griffiths