In 1979 his 31-year-old brother Frank Kennedy, one of the famous Armoy Armada, was killed on the North West circuit.

The independent councillor remembers the terrible blow it was for his family.

The following year Joey and Robert Dunlop’s brother-in-law – Mervyn Robinson - was also killed.

The Dunlop family was also bereaved in 2000 with the death of Joey in Estonia.

Earlier this year Mr Kennedy met up with Robert to form a racing club in Armoy. They also planned to stage a road race there.

“I will miss Robert obviously,” said Mr Kennedy. “We were all just so passionate about the bikes. We formed a racing club in Armoy in September and I know Robert was looking forward to this autumn to get the whole thing up and running.”

While Robert did not come out and say he intended to give up road racing, Bill believes, reading between the lines, that is what he had planned to do shortly.

“He did not say this would be his last year racing, but he made reference to that,” he said.

“He said to me that between what happened with my brother and his brother it was time for the next generation to take over. Without coming out and actually saying it, he indicated that he was thinking about packing it in.”

Mr Kennedy said he remembers talking to Robert prior to him racing in the North West in 2006 – which he won.

“That North West, the last one he won, was one of the most popular I have ever seen. I remember talking to Robert prior to that one and he said there was one win left in him.

“It is a very fast race with hardened bikes and hardened riders. Robert, at his stage of riding, had that much craftiness and knowledge and experience.

“And he was not shy to help other younger riders and pass on his experience. He has passed an awful lot of knowledge on and not only to his sons.

“Robert was very approachable, but he did not wear fools either. I have a young nephew that races and Robert has helped him out with tyres and everything.”

Mr Kennedy said Robert’s passion for racing was known to everyone.

“He just could not give up. He was brought up running around bikes. It is in the blood you see.

“Everybody feels there will be a sombreness about the North West - but it has to go on.

“Thank God we are blessed with great memories and will never forget him.

“It would have been an insult if it had been stopped because of Robert. He would not want that.

“None of the riders who sacrificed their lives at the North West would want to have seen the race stopped. Robert loved it. You just knew it the way he rode.”