Deaths at Isle of Man TT keeping at least one rider away

Scott Redding will not be making an appearance in the parade lap at this year’s Isle of Man TT, following the tragic deaths of Bob Price and Karl Harris this week.

The 21-year-old Briton was devastated by the news of both deaths, but particularly that of Bob Price, who was a close family friend and someone who’d been heavily involved in the early part of Scott’s racing career.

Bob was a long time supporter of the Isle of Man TT and an experienced road racer, having made his debut on the Island in 1992. The 65-year-old from Stroud, Gloucestershire, died after crashing at Ballaugh Bridge during this year’s first Supersport race.

“I was shocked when I heard the news that Bob had been killed at the TT,” explained Scott. “He was a close family friend and one of the few people outside of my immediate family who supported me when I started out racing. I will miss him, as will many others in our racing family.

“Bob died doing something that he loved. I know we hear this all the time when tragedy strikes, but in Bob’s case it was definitely true. He was no spring chicken, but a seasoned roads campaigner who knew the risks, like all the riders do, but it’s what he wanted to do. I respect that, as I respect everyone who takes on the challenge of the TT, but it doesn’t make his passing any easier to deal with.

“Then yesterday, we heard the tragic news that Karl Harris had also lost his life. Karl and Bob are both guys that I know and their deaths have hit me harder than I expected. Honestly, I’m devastated.

“And that’s why I won’t be at the TT on Friday, not because I have anything against the Isle of Man TT, but because I prefer to mourn Bob in the places where I knew him best, not the place where he was taken from us.

“I wish all the competitors on the Island safe racing.”