Richard Britton Racing
News 2005 19th October 2005
Tribute # 2
RICHARD BRITTON is dead. But Richard Britton lives on in the hearts of his family, friends and fans. I"m proud to say I was both a friend and a fan, and honoured that he raced for Irish Bike Racing.
When Richard Britton passed from this world at Ballybunion on Sunday 18th September,he was just five days short of his 35th birthday. Thirty-five years was far too short a time for Richard Britton, he still had so much living to do and so much to live for.
Fate must have had a particularly nasty hangover on that Sunday morning when he decided to snatch Richard away from a family that loved him and from the fans who worshipped him.
September 18th will go down as one of Irish Racings blackest days. Richards loss to the sport is immeasurable, and to his family the devaststion is immense. I can only hope that Maria, little Loris, Willie,Margaret, and the rest of the Clan can take some solace from the fact that Richad died doing what he loved.
I Also hope that they can take comfort from the fact that while he was alive he brought countless joy to thousands.
He was the most charasmatic man in road racing, bar none, and with his cheery and moest demeanour he was always a pleasure to be around.
He was also an amabassador for the sport and for his country as i found on our trips to Amercia. He may not have been as well known across the Atlantic but judging by the messages of sympathy and tributes that have flooded to Irish Bike, he was held in similar esteem thousands of miles away.
Richard Britton won countless National road races and championhips and but for some rotten luck his win tally on the international scene would have been much higher.
His solitary International win came at the Y2K North West 200.
Before Richard Britton went to his grave he may not have had all the success that he craved , The TT in particular owed him more than it ever gave, but he had achieved enough to be one of the few sportsmen who could genuinely be described as "The Peoples Champion". In my humble opinion, hes right up there with Higgins, Best and Dunlop.
Champion is a word that is used too often for my liking, it means " One that excells all others". Use the words sparingly, But use it when you speak of Richard Britton.
Farewell my Good Friend. Maybe we will meet again. I know that when i raise a glass to you next month in The Daytona Ale House, as i sit beside the Juke Box, there"ll be a bit of the Britton spirit in the air.-MH
This was an extract form Irish Bike, worded by Editor Mark Hamilton, owner of the Big Suzuki, that Richard rode in his last few big races.
RIP Richard.
