Team quits racing after rider loses life at TT

After the death of racer Paul Dobbs during the 2010 Isle of Man TT, his team Hallett Aviation Racing has withdrawn from all competition.

'Dobsy' died when he crashed at Ballagarey during the second Supersport race of the 2010 Isle of Man TT on Thursday. He was racing a 600cc Suzuki supplied by Hallett Aviation Racing.

Team boss Neil Hallett confirmed he was standing by a commitment to withdraw from racing if one of his riders was hurt.

He said:

"After the incident in which Dobsy sadly lost his life whilst riding one of my 600 Gixers during last Thursday's Supersport race, Hallett racing will be withdrawing from all events, effective immediately. I have always said as a team owner that if any of our riders where to get hurt then I would stop the team racing and I am sticking exactly to that statement."

"My sympathies are first and foremost with Bridget (Paul Dobbs' wife) and the girls, I hope they can come to terms with their great loss, I know Paul died doing what he loved best and I will pass on all the condolences we as a team have been sent."

"Dobsy will be sadly missed from the paddocks, he was always a good laugh and although we had only helped him for two events this year we have been friends with him for many years."

Mr Hallett added:
"The press has missed for years the mid-pack racing between the likes of Dobsy, Paul Owen, Oatesy (Stephen Oates), James McBride and Mark Buckley who always had close on-track battles and had the mutual respect that riding so close to each other at high speeds."

Fellow racer Paul Owen abandoned his own race after the crash involving Dobbs, pulling over to assist marshals at the scene. He was presented with the 'Spirit of the TT' award in recognition of his selfless actions.

There have also been allegations some riders passed through the scene of the crash without reducing their speed, despite yellow flags being displayed. On Friday morning it was confirmed organisers were investigating complaints, but so far no official comment has been issued about the outcome of those investigations.

Mr Hallett praised Welsh rider Owen, and had heavy criticism for any riders who failed to slow at the scene.

He said:

"Paul Owen's actions during that race came as no surprise to me, all of the above riders would have done the same if they had been in the same situation, but I have huge respect for Paul and his actions that day and utter disgust for the riders who went through at race speed under waved yellows."

"They know who they are and their huge egos will never let them realise what they did, but I do hope that someone in the organising group can bring some of these people to some kind of justice. It can't help Paul but it could stop an even bigger tragedy the next time there is a serious incident."