Farquhar reeling after uncle dies at Manx GP

Ryan Farquhar's tenth Manx Grand Prix victory was overshadowed yesterday by the tragic death of his uncle Trevor Ferguson.

Farquhar won the Senior Classic race on Wednesday morning, but his triumph later paled into insignificance when Mr Ferguson was killed on one of Farquhar's KMR Kawasaki machines in the Supertwin 650cc race.

The 48-year-old, from Castlecaulfield in Co Tyrone in Northern Ireland, fell at The Nook on the second lap of the race while holding second place.

Ulsterman Nigel Moore, also riding in Farquhar's KMR colours, won the race in a cruel twist of irony to claim his maiden win on the 37.73-mile Mountain Course.

It was a heartbreaking end to a day that had begun on a high for legendary road racer Farquhar, whose participation in Friday's Classic Superbike race is now in doubt.

A statement issued by the Manx Motor Cycle Club said: "Trevor, a shop owner, was an experienced racer on the Mountain Course.

"He first competed in the 2006 Manx Grand Prix and took part in six meetings.

"He had a highest placed sixth in the 2008 Junior Manx Grand Prix and recorded 12 finishes around the Mountain Course including an 11th place in this year's Junior Manx Grand Prix, for which he received a replica."

The club's chairman, Harvey Garton, added: "Trevor was a major part of the Manx Grand Prix family and his support for the event was hugely appreciated.

"He was a very committed rider who loved racing around the Mountain Course on the Isle of Man and was enjoying a strong race.

"On behalf of the Manx Motor Cycle Club I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

"Trevor was married with three children and his next of kin have been informed.," he added.

"The Coroner of Inquests has been notified and an investigation into the circumstances of the accident is underway."

Mr Ferguson's death is the second at the Manx Grand Prix this year after Steve Osborne from the Isle of Man was killed during an accident in practice last week.

Farquhar obliterated the opposition on his way to a commanding victory on Roger Winfield's 500cc Paton before the tragic events unfolded in the afternoon.

He won by a mammoth five minutes from Chris Swallow, who was gifted second place after Chris Palmer ran out of fuel on the final lap and had to push his machine over the line from Governor's Dip.

An exhausted Palmer was credited with third.

Dave Madsen Mygdal claimed his first Manx GP win in the Formula Classic race, taking the victory by more than a minute from Mark Parrett.

The final races of the 2012 Manx Grand Prix, the Classic Superbike event and Senior Manx Grand Prix, will take place tomorrow.