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TT hero Dave jefferies dies in practice crash

29th May 2003

  

Reigning TT Champion, outright lap record holder and firm favourite for further honours this year, 30 year old Dave Jefferies, has been killed in practice for the Formula One TT.

Exact details remain unclear, but the incident, in Crosby, also resulted in ValMoto Triumph rider Jim Moodie being hospitalised, although fortunately his injuries were not severe and he was later discharged.

DJ had already lapped at 125mph on his first lap today riding his GSX-R 1000 and was well into his second lap when the accident occurred.

Jefferies completely shattered the lap record in 2002 on the TAS GSX-R. He was one of the finest road racers this country has ever seen, and his smooth relaxed style was always a pleasure to watch. He also managed to be one of the nicest people you could possibly hope to meet in racing, and always had time for his many fans as well as for his friendly rivals.

DJ had strong family ties with the TT, from his grandfather Allan to his father Tony, who won two races in the 1970s, and his uncle Nick, winner of the 1993 Formula One.

Apart from being the outright lap record for the Mountain Circuit with that stunning 127.29mph lap last year, Jefferies was the yardstick every other rider measured himself against. An accomplished short circuit racer, DJ was always careful to point out that his approach to the TT was considerably different because of the respect one had to pay the notoriously dangerous mountain circuit.

To put his achievements into perspective, this is what he managed last year:

  • 1st Senior TT
  • 1st Formula 1 TT
  • 1st Production 1000 TT
  • First rider to complete race laps at 125, 126 and 127 mph.
  • First rider to complete a sub 18 minute lap.
  • Only rider in the history of the TT to complete three consecutive Triple wins.
  • New Formula 1 lap record
  • New Formula 1 race record
  • New Production 1000 lap record
  • New Production 1000 race record
  • New Senior and outright lap record
  • New Senior race record.
  • 1st Winner of the Joey Dunlop Trophy, fastest aggregate time for Formula 1 and Senior TT
  • 1st Rider to win the Formula 1 TT on a Suzuki since 1982
  • 1st Rider to win the Senior TT on a Suzuki since 1983
  • Outright Lap record holder at 127.29 mph..
  • 1st in British Superstock Championship
  • 1st Ulster GP Production Race
  • 9 TT wins in three years

Philip Neill, on behalf of TAS Suzuki, DJ's team, said: “The death of David has left the team shocked and devastated. Not only had David become a very close personal friend of the whole team, but he was a fantastic motorcycle rider and a real ambassador for our sport. Our thoughts are now with Pauline, Tony and the rest of David's family circle,”

I.Kondo, Director of Suzuki GB, added: “Obviously we are very shocked and saddened by the tragic news about the death of David Jefferies at the TT races. He was a great rider, but above all he was a great man. We pass on our deepest sympathies to his family on their immense loss,”

From MotorbikesToday.com, all we can say is that our best wishes go to his family, his team mates and his many friends, both inside and outside racing.

Dave Jefferies - 18 September 1972 - 29 May 2003

 


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