Sidecar Team Killed in Isle of Man TT Qualifying Accident
Coroner investigating deaths of veteran TT racers
Sidecar racer Bill Currie, 67, and passenger Kevin Morgan, 59, have died following an accident at the 2011 Isle of Man TT races.
The accident occurred during the second qualifying session for the sidecar class near the Ballacrye Bend, between milestones 17 and 18 on the Mountain Course. The coroner is investigating the accident.
Currie was an experienced Isle of Man TT racer, first competing in the fabled event in 1969 where he finished third. Currie competed in last year’s TT, finishing eighth in the Sidecar class with a personal best average speed of 107.944 mph. Morgan was no stranger to the Isle of Man either, competing in his first TT race in 1984. This year’s event was the first time the two would have competed together as a pair.
“I have known both Bill and Kevin for many years and am deeply saddened by their untimely death,” says Jim Parker, managing director of Isle of Man TT organizer ACU Events. “They were a huge part of the sidecar paddock and will be sorely missed by everyone involved in the event.”
Currie was divorced with two kids. Morgan was single with two sons.
Official statement after the jump.
A statement has been issued by ACU Events Ltd following the incident during the second sidecar practice on Tuesday evening which saw the session brought to an end.
It reads:
“ACU Events Ltd regret to announce that sidecar competitor Bill Currie, 67, from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire and his passenger Kevin Morgan, 59, from Shrewsbury were both killed during the second sidecar qualifying session at the 2011 Isle of Man TT Races following an incident at Ballacrye in the North of the Island. The session was immediately red flagged following the incident.”
“Bill was an experienced racer who first competed at the TT Races in 1969, when he recorded a third place finish. He finished 8th in last year’s TT sidecar Race in his fastest ever race time of 107.944. Kevin made his TT debut in 1984. This was the first year that the pair had competed together.”
“Bill was divorced with 2 children and Kevin was single with two sons. The ACU wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to the family and friends of both competitors.”
ACU Events Managing Director Jim Parker said:
“I have known both Bill and Kevin for many years and am deeply saddened by their untimely death. They were a huge part of the sidecar paddock and will be sorely missed by everyone involved in the event.”
The statement adds the Coroner of Inquests has been informed and an investigation into the circumstances of the accident is underway.
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