Welcome to the beta version of the new Women & Golf website. Our web monkeys are still hard at work and welcome your feedback.  

Advertisement

TT 2013: Ten years on - David Jefferies remembered

Allan David Jefferies

18 September 1972 – 29 May 2003

Those who risk nothing

Advertisement

Do nothing

Achieve nothing

Become nothing

The 29th May 2013 represents ten years to the day since TT legend David Jefferies lost his life in a high-speed crash at Crosby, robbing the sport of one of its greatest stars and most loveable stars.

A nine-times TT winner, DJ was also the outright lap record holder at the time of his crash and one wonders just what he could have achieved, both in terms of wins and lap records, had he not been taken from the sport so soon.

DJ's first TT outing came in 1996 when he took a best finish of tenth in the Production race, also winning the Newcomers Trophy, and although he missed the 1997 event due to injury, he was back in 1998 taking four top-eight finishes with 4th in the Senior and a 120mph+ lap on a slick-shod R1 Yamaha a major highlight.

His next three years at the TT were nothing short of sensational though with hat-tricks recorded in 1999, 2000 and 2002 (the 2001 event was cancelled due to foot and mouth) for the V&M and TAS Suzuki teams as he hoisted the outright lap record through from 124 mph to 127mph. His lap in 2002 of 127.29mph is still the 18th fastest TT lap of all time.

Remaining with TAS Suzuki for a second year in 2003, the big Yorkshireman had just set the fastest lap of practice week when he crashed on what was believed to be oil through the fast left-hander in Crosby village and whilst the aftermath showed countless failings in the organisation of the event, subsequent work has gone a long way to raising the professionalism of the event once more.

Articles you may like

Advertisement

More TT and Road Racing

Advertisement
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram