Seventy-one year-old Manx Grand Prix racer Adam Easton has died.

Mr Easton passed away following an incident at Lambfell on the approach to Cronk-Y-Voddy during today’s 500cc Classic Grand Prix Race on the Isle of Man, when he was running in 16th place.

Mr Easton, of Musselburgh, East Lothian, was an experienced competitor who first raced at the Manx Grand Prix in 1983, when he competed in the Classic Junior Race. He recorded a highest placed finish of 11th in last year’s Classic Senior Race. In total he competed in 34 Manx Grand Prix Races and also finished 22nd in the Historic TT in 1984, the only year he missed the Manx Grand Prix.

“I knew Adam well from when he first competed at the Manx Grand Prix. He was very much part of the Manx Grand Prix family, well liked by everyone in the paddock and one of the real characters involved with the event. He will be greatly missed," said Bill Bennett, the Chairman of the Manx Motor Cycle Club.