The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Angus biker dies in Northern Irish road race crash
SPORT: Arbroath rider had cheated death just two months ago in Isle of Man TT high speed accident
A talented Angus motorcyclist has lost his life in the world’s fastest road race – just two months after cheating death in the legendary Isle of Man TT.
Andy Lawson from Arbroath was competing in the Ulster Grand Prix on Saturday when he lost control of his machine and suffered fatal injuries in a high speed accident during the event’s Supersport category competition.
Race organisers led tributes to the popular figure, describing him as a star of the future.
At the request of the Arbroath man’s family, racing on the famous Dundrod circuit continued alongside the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Last year the talented racer won the prestigious Junior Manx GP title, but his participation in June’s TT was ended by a high speed accident which saw the 24-year-old airlifted to hospital.
An Angus rider has been named as the victim of an Irish motorcycling road race crash – just months after he escaped serious injury in a high-speed Isle of Man TT accident.
Andy Lawson of Arbroath was killed on Saturday in a Supersport race at the Ulster Grand Prix over the Dundrod circuit in County Antrim.
The young Scot – an extremely popular figure in the paddock and regarded as a bright prospect in road racing – was making his first visit to the event, which draws world-class riders and huge crowds each year.
An investigation into the circumstances of the fatal crash is ongoing but the weekend event continued at the request of the 24-year-old’s family.
Race organisers joined the tributes paid to the rider. Noel Johnston, clerk of the course at the Ulster Grand Prix, said: “I am incredibly saddened by the news that Andy has succumbed to his injuries and my condolences are with his family, friends and race team.
“He was a lovely guy and an up-andcoming rider, definitely one to watch.
“I had a quick chat with him just before that Supersport race began and he told me how much he was enjoying his first experience at Dundrod and that he was taking it easy while he learned the course.
“I can’t tell you how hard it is to continue the event in those circumstances but Andy’s family and race team were determined that the remainder of the event go ahead as planned.
“They believe it is what Andy would have wanted and we wanted to respect that.”
Mr Lawson was a familiar figure on Shirlaws-liveried machines and last night the Scottish motorcycle firm paid its own tribute to the rider.
The firm posted on social media: “To say we are all devastated fails to convey the depth or sense of our grief.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Andy’s family and friends.”
Mr Lawson, who is understood to have worked with engineering firm Halliburton, was a rising star who won the prestigious Junior Manx Grand Prix in 2014.
In June he realised what he described as a “childhood dream” by travelling to the legendary Isle of man TT to mount what he hoped would be a serious challenge over the twisting, 37.7mile mountain course.
But the risks facing every rider were brought starkly home when he crashed his Kawasaki at high speed on the final lap of the opening Superbike race.
He had recorded a lap average of 125 miles per hour before the accident, which saw him airlifted to hospital.
Andy was knocked unconscious in the TT crash and was banned by doctors from competing in the other events he had been scheduled to contest.
The Ulster Grand Prix is labelled the world’s fastest road race, with a lap record of more than 133mph for the Dundrod circuit. Last week TT star Guy Martin was also the victim of a highspeed crash, suffering broken bones after he lost control of his machine while in the lead of the Superbike race.