Macau: TT Privateer champion Dan Hegarty has died

2016 Isle of Man TT Privateer champion Dan Hegarty has died following a crash in today’s 51^st running of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. The 31-year-old crashed on the seventh lap of the race at Fisherman’s corner and succumbed to his injuries.

Speaking in an official statement released after the race was red flagged and a subdued podium ceremony held, the organisers said:

The Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee regrets to announce that, following an incident during the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 51^st Edition today (November 18 2017) at Fishermen’s Bend, the rider of bike number 8, Daniel Hegarty, aged 31, suffered serious injuries.

The race was immediately stopped and Daniel was transferred to hospital. It is with great regret that we have to announce that the British rider succumbed to his injuries en route to the Conde S. Januario Hospital.

Daniel’s family and team have been contacted, and the Committee will ensure every assistance is extended to them.

A former front-runner in the Virgin Yamaha R6 Cup and the National Superstock 1000 championship, Dan made his debut at the Isle of Man TT in 2011, setting fast times as a rookie before going on to impress as a member of the factory Norton team, handing the Donington Park-based manufacturer their best results to date in 2013.

Improving year by year, he took the Privateers’ Trophy in 2016 with a series of strong results culminating in an eleventh place finish and a fastest lap of over 128mph.

A keen engineer and the owner of RTR Motorcycles in Bingham as well as a fast racer, Dan was one of the friendliest and best-liked characters in the road racing paddock, and his death will leave a huge hole.

It also comes as a further tragedy for the Top Gun Racing squad that Dan was competing for in 2017, following the death of his teammate Gavin Lupton in August at the Ulster Grand Prix.

Motorcycle News join the wider racing community in sending our deepest condolences to Dan’s family, friends, fans and team. Rest in peace.