Another one taken far too early. Condolences to all who knew him.

RIP Martin.

Gutted .

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

Oh God No...................What AWFUL news.

Martin was such a friendly guy and last year I spent some time at the TT in the Klaffi unit following his excellent exploits on the MV Agusta.

Deepest sympathy to family and friends.

What a tragedy ! Our deepest condolences to Martin's family, friends and countless fans. Harry and Elizabeth

Carn't believe this terrible news. My thoughts are with his wife, family and all those close to him.

Big in stature big in the heart. RIP big man.

I've been thinking about Martin's family all day and trying to think what made him so special.
It was his willingness to let us all feel we knew him. We were all so lucky to know him. His amazing talent was only part of the fantastic person he was.
A cool, calm, gorgeous man, who let us all be his friend.
We will miss him, and we must make sure that Rachel always knows what a special Daddy she had.

thewitch Wrote:I've been thinking about Martin's family all day and trying to think what made him so special.
It was his willingness to let us all feel we knew him. We were all so lucky to know him. His amazing talent was only part of the fantastic person he was.
A cool, calm, gorgeous man, who let us all be his friend.
We will miss him, and we must make sure that Rachel always knows what a special Daddy she had.

Rachel will never forget how special her Dad was, we will always remind her what a hero he was & how much he loved her.

Fitz Wrote:Stunned. Heard this on Manx Radio at 5pm and it was the quietest trip over the mountain in the car ever.

Hard to believe that we will not see #4 at the TT this year although the progrmas are printed or #45 at other circuits again for that matter.

As Chris Kinley stated, this is the nature of the beast and all of us who race know the risks involved and I know it is cliche but he died persuing his passion.

My heartfelt condolences to Martins Wife, Daughter, Family, Team and so many friends.

Helena Finnegan Wrote:

thewitch Wrote:I've been thinking about Martin's family all day and trying to think what made him so special.
It was his willingness to let us all feel we knew him. We were all so lucky to know him. His amazing talent was only part of the fantastic person he was.
A cool, calm, gorgeous man, who let us all be his friend.
We will miss him, and we must make sure that Rachel always knows what a special Daddy she had.

Rachel will never forget how special her Dad was, we will always remind her what a hero he was & how much he loved her.

Thank Helena. Martinwill be much missed, please tell mum my thoughs are with you all.

FC Wrote:

Fitz Wrote:Stunned. Heard this on Manx Radio at 5pm and it was the quietest trip over the mountain in the car ever.

Hard to believe that we will not see #4 at the TT this year although the progrmas are printed or #45 at other circuits again for that matter.

As Chris Kinley stated, this is the nature of the beast and all of us who race know the risks involved and I know it is cliche but he died persuing his passion.

My heartfelt condolences to Martins Wife, Daughter, Family, Team and so many friends.

Helena Finnegan Wrote:

thewitch Wrote:I've been thinking about Martin's family all day and trying to think what made him so special.
It was his willingness to let us all feel we knew him. We were all so lucky to know him. His amazing talent was only part of the fantastic person he was.
A cool, calm, gorgeous man, who let us all be his friend.
We will miss him, and we must make sure that Rachel always knows what a special Daddy she had.

Rachel will never forget how special her Dad was, we will always remind her what a hero he was & how much he loved her.

Thank Helena. Martinwill be much missed, please tell mum my thoughs are with you all.

I will and thanks to everyone for your kind words & thoughts.

I was lucky enough to have met Martin a few times. Great guy. funny man, great sportsman. So Long Martin, rest in peace mate, you were are a HERO to many people mate

Taken from other biking sites

Martin begins his final journey home tomorrow Monday May 5th from Belfast. We in the Finn 45 Supporters Club have arranged to meet him and escort him home to Lusk. We want as many bikers as possible to assist us. Anybody interested can assemble in the Car Park of the Carrickdale Hotel north of Dundalk between 13:15h and 13:30h.
If you could spread the word, I would be truely grateful. Also if people out there can copy this notice to other forums it would be of great help.

I've been going through some of my photos from the Southern 100 and TT, I've put a gallery together here

Some great memories, a great guy

Dave

DaveIOM Wrote:I've been going through some of my photos from the Southern 100 and TT, I've put a gallery together here

Some great memories, a great guy

Dave

Thanks for sharing those Dave, some more photos and tributes here

There will be folk in Australia shattered by this news too. Small world, I bought my last mobile phone over here from a shop assistant who knew Martin and some of his family. I know Martin was also friend of Florence from Skerries who used to post on this site. Gee, this is certainly a shock. Condolences to his family and friends. Jan

NOT SINCE JOEY.....

I dont suppose I am alone in being struck by the enormity of this loss to the sport and to us all?
It seems to me that we havent felt such a huge shock since we lost the great Joey.

I feel that this is a tribute to #45, a peoples rider.

Rest in Peace Finbar

Terribly sad, words don't say what you feel inside.
Our sincere condolances to Martins wife and daughter, we are thinking of you.
Jane & Steve

Just arrived home from racing at Oulton Park this weekend where we were shocked and stunned as the news filtered through the paddock.

Sincere thoughts to Martins wife, little girl, family and friends and may they find the strength to continue supporting the sport that we all love but at times like this, can seem so cruel.

Stella, Alex Bryan and Grant Campbell.

This was truely sad news.

I always enjoyed watching him ride and thought he was possibly an
under estimated rider.

I feel sorry for his family and know as someone said earlier there are no words big enough for grief.

But he will always be a series of brilliant memories such as him taking to the air over Ballaugh Bridge, his MV ride last year in which in my opinion he did as well as anyone else could have on that bike, and loads of others.

I am not great with words so if I have put my foot in it here sorry
but its how I feel about a great guy.

Crofter