Keith Farmer: Six-time British Superbike champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne in moving tribute to "great lad and fierce rival" after sudden death

Six-time British Superbike champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne has paid a moving tribute to Northern Ireland’s Keith Farmer following the shock news of his sudden death aged 35.
Kyle White
By Kyle White
Published 11th Nov 2022, 16:37 GMT
Updated 11th Nov 2022, 22:35 GMT
Keith Farmer won the National Superstock 1000 title in 2018 with Northern Ireland's Tyco BMW team.Keith Farmer won the National Superstock 1000 title in 2018 with Northern Ireland's Tyco BMW team.
Keith Farmer won the National Superstock 1000 title in 2018 with Northern Ireland's Tyco BMW team.

The Clogher man passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning surrounded by family.

A gifted racer, he won four British championship titles across three classes on Superstock 600, Superstock 1000 and Supersport machinery.

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The Co Tyrone father-of-three was BSB star Byrne’s team-mate in 2013, when he was handed the chance to ride for Paul Bird’s Kawasaki team in the series after winning the Superstock 1000 title the previous year.

Northern Ireland's Keith Farmer won the first of two British Superstock 1000 titles in 2012 after joining Paul Bird's Kawasaki team.Northern Ireland's Keith Farmer won the first of two British Superstock 1000 titles in 2012 after joining Paul Bird's Kawasaki team.
Northern Ireland's Keith Farmer won the first of two British Superstock 1000 titles in 2012 after joining Paul Bird's Kawasaki team.

Byrne, who works as a BSB pundit for Eurosport, said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of his untimely death.

As tributes flooded in on social media, Byrne said: “I’ve struggled to bring myself to post this today mostly because I can’t get my head around the fact it’s happened.

“Keith was my team-mate in 2012 on the ’Stock 1000 bike, taking the championship before being promoted to ride alongside me in Superbikes in 2013.

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“Keith was a great lad, a good team-mate, a fierce rival and great fun to be around – I consider him a friend.

“I’m deeply saddened to hear of his passing, especially in such horrible circumstances and send my thoughts, condolences and love to his family and friends. RIP champ.”

The famous Farmer racing family has been struck down by tragedy in the past, with Stephen Farmer losing his life in a work-related accident while Mark Farmer died after crashing during practice for the Isle of Man TT races in 1994.

A much-liked and respected racer, Mr Farmer announced his retirement from the sport last September after a series of injury setbacks. Speaking at the time, he said he planned to spend more time with his young children.

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He won the British Junior Superstock title in 2011 and added the Superstock 1000 championship the following year on the PBM Kawasaki.

A third title followed in the Supersport class in 2017 on the Appleyard/Macadam Yamaha before he claimed his fourth championship in the Superstock 1000 category in 2018, riding for Northern Ireland’s Tyco BMW team.

Related topics:Northern Ireland