Don Leeson Down?

I got this e-mail earlier from the local VJMC guy regarding Don Leeson you
probably know already but I never trust news servers / internet things.
I can't find any info confirming this on Google etc so it may be wrong

Ras




Good Afternoon.

I am not sure how to break this to you, I have just received some extremely
bad news form Doug regarding the untimely death of Don at the Isle of Man,
Doug has advised that Don was killed in his last race, when I have more
specific detail I will let you know.

No doubt like me this very sad news has knocked you for six, Doug has
advised that Don's partner has turned off the Club answering machine
meaning that the help line is not presently operational, I am sure you can
all understand why Jay has done this and will join with me in offering her
your full support as and when needed.

Obviously it is to early to know what funeral arrangements are to be made
but when I know more I will contact you.

For the moment can I ask that you join with me in remembering Don at this
extremely sad time.

Regards,
Malcolm.

 

Not good news from the IOM this week:

The inquests have opened and adjourned on two riders who were killed during
practice for the Manx Grand Prix.
Geoff Sawyer, from Ipswich, lost control of his 500cc Classic Matchless at
Union Mills last Wednesday.

Two days later John Loder, 56, from Birmingham, lost control of his 496cc
Nourish Seeley at 33rd Milestone.

On Wednesday two other riders were killed during racing Tim Johnson, 51, of
Roborough, Devon, and Eddie Byers, 56, of Standon Massey, Essex.

RIP

 

Sadly Manx Radio confirm the story:

There has been another death as this year's Manx Grand Prix draws to a
close.

57 year-old Don Leeson lost control of his Honda machine at Quarry Bends
during this morning's Ultra Lightweight race.

He was a retired single man with two children.

Mr Leeson, from North Wales, was an experienced rider, having competed seven
times previously.

He finished fifth in the Lightweight Classic race on Wednesday.

The Organiser of the MGP, the Manx Motorcycle Club, has extended its sincere
sympathy to Mr Leeson's family and friends.

It brings the total number killed during practice and racing this year to
six.

 

Oh fark. Don Leeson was one *the* great SOB experts and luminaries.

Shit shit shit.

 

(

Was reading Don's piece in August Tansha only this morning about him being
off to the IoM and just spotted this...

Sad, sad news and a great loss to the Classic Jap world...

RIP Don.

Condolences to the family...

 

indeed. TAAW shit shit shit 'cos sooner or later some berk will decide that
the island is "dangerous" and it'll come to an end, which will be a sad day
indeed.

Chap mother and father knew, by the name of Fred Launchbury, who ISTR used
to have a bike shop in sarf lunnon many years ago, was killed racing on the
island.