Darran Lindsay: Road racing star and 'devoted' family man

A popular figure with the fans and his fellow competitors, Lindsay lost his life in a freak accident on September 9, 2006 after running into the rear of Donegal man Ray Porter’s machine, which slowed suddenly after developing a problem.

Aged only 34, Darran left behind a wife Kerry and three young children, Ben, Zac and Poppy.

Former Ulster Grand Prix Clerk of the Course, Noel Johnston, was a close friend and sponsor of the Lisburn rider after becoming involved with his career in 1995.

Johnston was drawn to the young prospect after he caught his eye with some standout rides on machinery that wasn’t quite up to the same standard as his rivals.

As well as a highly talented road racer, Johnston remembers Lindsay as a devoted family man who put his children first.

“Darran was totally dedicated to his family and I remember many times when work on the bikes in the workshop would come to an end when Darran went inside to help with bathing the children or putting them to bed,” he said.“Quite rightly they came first. I still see Darran’s family and Kerry has done a brilliant job bringing up their three children, Ben, Zac and Poppy – they are a credit to her and if Darran was alive he would be very proud.”

Reflecting on his involvement with Lindsay, Johnston cherishes the many joyful memories of former glories, including coveted wins on the international stage at the Ulster Grand Prix.

“There were many memorable celebrations over the years I knew him and although he was regarded as a specialist on 125cc and 250cc machinery, he was incredibly competitive on everything he rode,” said Johnston in a previous tribute.

“Some of the highlights include the win in the North West 200 125cc race in 2005, his five Ulster Grand Prix wins including a hat-trick in 2002, the Irish National 125cc Championship titles in 1999 and 2000, the Irish National Road Race 250cc title in 2006 and the Irish National Road Race 600cc title in 2004.

“The Ulster Grand Prix victories were particularly sweet as he and his family lived on the Dundrod circuit. He’s never far from my thoughts – I think about him every day and he’s badly missed by us all.”

The tragic accident had a profound effect on Porter, who retired from the sport the following year in 2007, shortly after his team boss, John Donnan, was killed in a crash at the Tandragee 100.

Porter later told me he had been unable to come to terms with the fatal incident that claimed his fellow racer’s life the previous September.

“I’ve thought about that accident a lot and how can you go back and sit on a bike after something like that?” he said.

“I loved the buzz of racing and the competitive side of the sport and I just wish we could go back to how things were before the accident. It has really changed things for that reason and I’ve lost interest now.

“As well as the accident itself, the thing that affected me badly was realising that no matter how safe you ride or the efforts you make to ride within your limits, something can happen mechanically with the bike that you have no control over.

“That is what happened when my bike suffered a mechanical failure and Darran collided with me and it caused his death. There’s nothing either he or I could have done about it, nothing whatsoever.”

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