I got Brendan Grace's autograph once. Bet none of ye UK lads remember him. Don't think he was a biker though. Passed away this year too. Was a funny bloke all the same!! Have only seen Mcpint at a Cork show last year. Didn;t get to speak to him. He looked shook & was limping, but was siging T-shirts & seemed accommodating to those who spoke with him.
I've only met two and both were brilliant. James Hillier, who was great. Cant say I've ever watched an interview or anything where I've not thought hes a good egg. The other one was the late Daley Mathison. I knew of him through a friend and bumped into him the first time I took the ktm to the mx track. He was also on his first mx track day so we spoke about how different the bikes were to ride compared to road bikes etc. He was very down to earth and a good laugh. I seen Michael Dunlop at the bike show a few years back, didnt speak to him as he didnt look too happy and thought hes probably sick of people approaching him at this point Was surprised how small/slim he looked. Always looks a bit podgy on the tv!
Daley was an immense guy. Had a few conversations with him over LinkedIn whilst trying to secure more machining work in the motorsport sector. Was an absolute gent, always replied to a message, offered me a pint and a chat at the TT if I went, or any subsequent year. I had a feeling when I heard a rider had passed this year; I was wishing it wasn’t him such a great guy and had a good career in front of him. Was refreshing to see a lad so passionate about bikes, and his beautiful family. Definitely taken far too soon
Only rider I recall meeting is Dan Linfoot. Top bloke, very down to earth and loved talking bikes. Did so track riding with him, and then said hello to him ar a Cadwell BSB meet and he gave me loads of time even though he had trashed a bike shortly beforehand and so probably wasn't feeling overly sociable at the time. During the track tuition he even did a photo with a message to someone on here who said Dan had had a problem keeping up with him at a Ron Haslam day when he "pulled the pin". Pic is probably still on here somewhere. Edit: thread and pic >> https://www.1000rr.co.uk/threads/message-for-nick_bladerr.18578/#post-284233 Ok it was supposed to have been Dan struggling ro shake him but the gist was the same
