Clerk saddened after young rider is killed

The 24-year-old from Arbroath was killed following a high-speed crash at the Deer’s Leap section of the 7.4-mile course during the second Supersport race.

The incident caused a delay of more than two hours but racing continued in a subdued atmosphere with the Supertwin and second Superbike races late in the afternoon with the blessing of Mr Lawson’s family.

A newcomer to the event, Mr Lawson was officially confirmed as the rider involved by the organising Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club on Sunday.

The organisers had confirmed the accident had proved fatal on Saturday evening but requested that Mr Lawson’s name was withheld until his extended family had been informed of the sad news.

A statement said, “It is with much regret that the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club confirm that there has been a fatality after an incident which took place during the second Supersport race at the Ulster Grand Prix.

“No further information will be released until all of the rider’s family has been informed. The family has however have told the event organisers that they wish the remainder of the event to go ahead as planned.

“This is a tragic incident and we request privacy and respect for the rider and his family.”

Mr Lawson was an accomplished rider who won the Junior race at the Manx Grand Prix last year. Last month, he finished seventh in the feature ‘Race of Legends’ at the Armoy Road Races.

Ulster GP chief Johnston told of his dismay over the Scotsman’s tragic death.

“I am incredibly saddened by the news that Andy has succumbed to his injuries and my condolences are with his family, friends and race team. He was a lovely guy and an up and coming rider, definitely one to watch,” he said.

“I had a quick chat with him just before that Supersport race began and he told me how much he was enjoying his first experience at Dundrod and that he was taking it easy while he learned the course.

“I can’t tell you how hard it is to continue the event in those circumstances but Andy’s family and race team were determined that the remainder of the event go ahead as planned,” Johnston added.

“They believe it is what Andy would have wanted and we wanted to respect that.”

An investigation into the circumstances is under way.

The PSNI has appealed for witnesses to the crash to contact them.

On Thursday, Tyco BMW’s Guy Martin was ruled out of the meeting following a crash in the Dundrod 150 Superbike race.

The 33-year-old Lincolnshire rider came off while leading at Ireland’s corner and crashed into a field.

Martin sustained fractured vertebrae, broken ribs and a broken sternum in the incident and could be a doubt for the Scarborough Gold Cup meeting in September.