h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It has been just over 2 weeks now since Joey passed away and like many others who knew of him I still feel that something valuable in this world has been lost. To those who have not heard of him it is difficult to explain why the loss of someone I have never met means so much to me. In all honesty, I find it difficult to understand myself, but I will try to put it into words. So here goes.

From an outsiders perspective, he was a man who died as he lived, racing motorbikes. But that is only the half of his story. Firstly, he looked just like an ordinary bloke yet he had a unique talent that lasted for 31 years. Despite being 48, he still could find the skill and stamina to not only survive one of the most demanding road circuits in the world (the Isle of Man TT) but to conquer it for the 26th time this year. In doing this he demanded no publicity, didn't need to sign a contract with anyone and simply returned to serve in his pub in Northern Ireland when not racing. He was a man of few words and understatement as witnessed in the commentary on the video "V4 victory" where all the comment he had to offer on a part of the TT course where he was riding at something approaching 180 mph was "It's a bit quick, this bit". If you wanted the very antithesis of the sporting celebrity then you couldn't find anyone better. And yet he was a celebrity to those involved in motorcycling and to the general public in both Northern and the Republic of Ireland. Around him had built a number of myths and legends that simply emphasised his down-to-earth character. There are too many to mention here.

All I have left to say to try to get across the extent to which he touched so many people was that 50,000 people attended his funeral. How many other sporting stars can you name who would attract such a response? Enough said.