Veteran amateur rider killed at Manx GP where he had raced for 25 years

Racer John Goodall died following a crash at the Manx Grand Prix Senior Classic on the Isle of Man on 24 August, 2008, just days after the event's organisers gave him a prestigious honour.

The previous week the 67-year-old had received the Spirit of the Manx award having competed in every single event since the Senior Classic race was founded 25 years previously. He won the inaugural event in 1983.

Mr Goodall was an engineer from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire where he ran his own machine shop. He was a well-known figure on the amateur motorcycle racing circuit around the world and had more than 40 trophies to his name.

He came off his Matchless G50 bike at the fast Ballacraine ...