'Real character' of bike racing dies at Killalane

The Island’s motorcycling fraternity is mourning the loss of experienced TT competitor Victor Gilmore.

The 42 year-old father-of-three from Ballymoney — the home town of brothers Joey and Robert Dunlop — was killed and a marshal injured in a collision in the Killalane road races yesterday (Sunday).

He later died at Beaumount Hospital in Dublin.

Described as a ‘real character’ of bike racing, he had already completed two races yesterday and, following the 250cc and the Open classes, Mr Gilmore’s bike crashed off the course at over 100mph in the 600cc category.

Gilmore was a very popular rider in the paddock. He first competed around the Mountain Course at the 2000 Manx Grand Prix, finishing third in the Newcomers race.

He made his TT debut in 2002 – his best result was 16th in the 2008 Senior race. He had lapped the TT course at just under 124mph.

He was also a regular competitor at the Southern 100 – a crash and injury at the 2008 S100 ruled him out for the rest of that season.

He missed this year’s TT due to a lack of funding.

A statement from the Loughshinny motorcycle club said Victor Gilmore lost his life ‘doing what he loved most’ and that he would be missed by the road racing family and motorsport community.

It extended its deepest sympathy to his family and large circle of friends.