TRIBUTES PAID TO POPULAR BIKE ACE

THE motorcycling fraternity in north Antrim has been numbed by the loss of another of its sons - Victor Gilmore.

The 42-year-old - nicknamed Happy Gilmore due to his infectious, upbeat personality - lost his life in a crash at the Killalane Road Races near Dublin on Sunday.

The hugely experienced rider had been competing all over the UK, Ireland and Europe since 1996, including the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 and the Horice race in Slovakia.

He had already completed two races on Sunday and, following the 250cc and the Open classes, Mr Gilmore's bike crashed off the course at over 100mph in the 600cc category.

He was taken to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, where he later passed away.

Mr Gilmore had been living at the Vow Road in Ballymoney but was originally from the Tullygarley area of Ballymena.

He is survived by two children from his first marriage and a baby girl born earlier this year to his current partner.

Times' motorcycling photographer Ann Louden - who became friends with Mr Gilmore as a result of covering events across the UK in which he was competing - spoke to the fun-loving biker just prior to the fatal race.

"He was in great form beforehand as he was doing the final preparations to his bike," she said.

"It is unbelievable.

"Victor always had a smile on his face, always that cheeky grin, and that's where his nickname 'Happy Gilmore' came from.

"Whenever we were at events he always stopped and had a word.

"It really is a huge loss to the paddock."

Ballymoney bike ace Paul Robinson - whose father Mervyn and uncles Robert and Joey perished in similar circumstances - said Mr Gilmore was always on hand to help out other riders if needed.

"I've known him for a few years," said Paul who was competing at the same event on Sunday.

"He was always a jokey character and there was always a bit of fun when Victor was about.

"He was really well liked. Nobody ever had a bad word to say about Victor."

Asked if the loss of close ones had made him re-think his future in the sport, Paul replied:

"It does play on your mind. When it is so close to home you do reflect on it.

"But only those who do it know that it is something you can't walk away from."

Terrible loss

William Dunlop is all too familiar with the heartache of losing loved ones to the sport he lives for.

"My thoughts go out to Victor's family at this time," he said.

"I spent a bit of time with him at different races and he was a genuine, nice man."

Mayor of Ballymoney Bill Kennedy, who is clerk of the course for the Armoy Road Races, and chairman of Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club, paid his respects to Mr Gilmore.

Mr Kennedy's late brother Frank was part of the famed 'Armoy Armada' group of racers, which included Joey Dunlop, Jim Dunlop and Mervyn Robinson.

"It's unreal," he said. "Victor was part of the furniture in the paddocks for nearly 15 years.

"It can be a cruel sport and there is a high price to pay, but everyone has to make choices, it is something those boys love and getting on those bikes and racing is their world.

"My heart goes out to all his family and friends."

Former road racing champion, Phillip McCallen knew Mr Gilmore and said his death was a "terrible" loss.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard," he said.

"We're just going through a very, very bad time.

"The organisers, the governing body, everyone is doing all they can to try and stop fatalities happening and stopping accidents but unfortunately it has happened again.

"Victor was a character in the paddock, he was someone who was always laughing, joking.

"He was a good guy. He would help people when they needed help and people helped Victor.

"It's just such a terrible, terrible thing that this has happened," he added.

Motorcycling photographer Stephen Davison said Mr Gilmore was "one of the real characters of the paddocks" and said he would be sadly missed.

Rider Ryan Farquhar described Mr Gilmore as an experienced rider who fully understood the risks associated with the sport.

"Victor had been in racing for years and he knew more than most the risks involved," he said.

"It was all he knew really and he loved it. I just want to pass on my condolences to his family."

Mr Gilmore entered his first race at Nutts Corner in 1996.

He won the Clubmans short circuit championship three years later and developed into a regular top six finisher at national road race level, finishing fourth behind established stars Richard Britton, Adrian Archibald and Ryan Farquhar in the 2002 Senior Irish Championship.

He also stood on the podium in the newcomers race at the Manx Grand Prix.