Ducati Sporting Club UK > Sport > Race > Richard Britton killed at Ballybunion

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...es/4257912.stm

Richard Britton has been killed at the Ballybunion road races.
The popular Enniskillen rider died after crashing in the 250cc race on Sunday. The meeting was abandoned.

Britton, 34, who was married with a five-year-old son, was one of the top road racers of his generation, winning at national races throughout Ireland.

He was a double Irish and Ulster road race champion and won one international race, the Production event at the 2000 North West 200.

He also won the Regal 600cc series on four occasions and was a podium finisher at both the Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix.

Initial eyewitness reports suggest that Britton's bike seized on the first lap of the race and it is believed he was killed instantly at the scene of the accident.

Born in England, Britton moved to Northern Ireland as a child and began his racing career at Aghadowey in 1991.

Although generally regarded as a road racer, he also enjoyed short circuit racing and listed Bishopscourt and the North West 200 as his favourite tracks.

He enjoyed mixed fortunes in 2005 and parted company with the DMRR Honda team in July, signing for the Vitrans Honda team for the Ulster Grand Prix.

Britton previously raced for Schimmel Racing and then enjoyed a long-term association with Garvagh businessman PJ O'Kane.

The Ballybunion races were being staged for the first time.

Noel Johnston, clerk of the course at the Ulster Grand Prix described Britton as "one of the characters of the paddock who always had a smile on his face, and had the talent to match his attitude."

RIP Rich