RIP Paul Dobbs

[trailblazer]

RIP dude. heard the news at work this mourning and while i moan about all the rugby news i didnt want to hear news like this.
Thoughts to friends and family

[SMOKEU]

RIP dude...........

[benfan]

Sincere condolences to Bridget and family from Peter, Jemma, and all the Itchy Trout Racing team.

RIP Paul.

[Iggy]

Heard news on radio yesterday morning and my heart sank, a very respected racer and certainly impressed me with his passion and love for the sport. RIP PAUL you will be missed, my condolences to Pauls wife and kids.

[ashracer]

Yes the TT is a place you either love or hate. Some greats like Barry Sheene & Steve Webster went there once, crashed & never went back. But to the guys who go back every year who love the event there is nothing like it any where else. I have been 10 times as mechanic or just a spectator. The "High" on peoples faces after a race is unbeleivable & something i have never seen anywhere else. RIP Paul Dobbs. 37 race finishes is a Kiwi record i dont think will be broken for a long time, If ever.

[jellywrestler]

TT rider Paul Owen, from Llangollen, Wales, has won the inaugural PokerStars ‘Spirit of the TT’ Award.

The ‘Spirit of TT’ award is given to recognise a selfless contribution by an individual to the event’s success. The criteria for the award are based on key qualities such as innovation, leadership, teamwork, respect and integrity. The award is open to anyone who contributes to the event, such as riders, marshals and volunteers.

The award is judged by representatives from the ACU, Isle of Man Government, TT sponsor PokerStars, Isle of Man Newspapers and Manx Radio.

Paul was following close friend New Zealander Paul Dobbs on the track during the Supersport 2 Race. Following Paul Dobbs’ accident at Ballagarey, Paul Owen dismounted and assisted the marshals in controlling the incident. He took a flag and told the marshal waving it to go and attend to the rider and he would wave the flag.

In doing this, Paul gave up his own race ambitions and also withdrew from the TT Zero Electric bike race.

Isle of Man Tourism political member Geoff Corkish said:

“Paul’s actions typified the sense of community spirit that we value at the TT and on the Isle of Man and he is a very deserving winner of this inaugural award.”

[flyingcrocodile46]

RIP. A legend and inspiration to motorcycle racers world wide. A true icon, a great loss for NZ motorsport.

A video interview with Paul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-2akyvJDZU

A video link to the race. Very slow loading but seems like a very prompt and fitting tribute to someone who put so much into the sport and to whom had so much respect from his peers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLA8xzCEohk

[NSR143]

I text Paul last year to see if he wanted to ride the 2 hour Bucket race in Auckland, he didn't ask what we would be riding, he didn't ask if I was any good... (he had not seen me ride since 1993) he just said 'yes'. Just happy to be riding... that was Dobsy.

[jasonu]

Very sorry to hear this terrible news.
When Chris Pickett and myself started racing 125's in the F3 class in the mid '90s we spent a lot of time in the pits and on the track with Paul. He was punting some sort of 400 with a KX500 motor. He could really get it moving when it held together, it used to break motor mounts. I let him try my 125 at Baypark for a lap or two and the buggar went 1.5sec faster than me. We did the bucket 2 hr together around the same time, Murry Thompson said he had never seen a bucket lean over so far! A few years passed and by chance I met him in Sydney where I helped him and another Paul in the Castrol 6hr at Oran park. They rode a late 90's zxr900. It was the oldest bike in the class but still good enough for 2nd in class. The last time I spoke with him was at the Pukekohe Classics a couple of years ago. He never changed, always a nice guy with nice things to say.
Chris and I will have a beer for you.
RIP mate.
Jason Ulyatt

[Rob Taylor]

I was woken to a phone call from our team mechanic,pomy Dave,at about 6.30am,,,Nick "O" had been trying to get hold of me ,about Pauls passing. I could not function properly for most of the day.I must also admit a tear or 2 was shed and a few "LOUD FUCKS" were uttered...I had the fortune of managing Pauls racing on the KTL Ducatis 999 & 749R. In the pits he was always happy to help other racers & he never ever got stressed.Often brought his kids to a meet ,looked after them & raced. After a race he couldnt wait to share his race with us & often wondered off to laugh with other competiters... I will miss his racing stories & meeting all his friends....A time i will never forget....A great loss to NewZealand Motorcycling...R.I.P Paul Dobbs,My friend.....

[Cleve]

Very sad news. A great loss to NZ motorcycling. Deepest sympathies to his family.

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Family Statement

While we are all devastated by Dobsy’s death during the 2nd Supersport race at the Isle of Man TT on Thursday 10 June 2010, I feel that we are lucky in so many ways.

Dobsy died doing what he most loved, in a place he loved and felt at home and surrounded by people he loved and admired.

He died instantly and felt no pain. He had no knowledge of his end but was fully focussed on the bike and the race.

After making a hard decision and missing the TT last year, I am thankful that I was here at this tragic time.

We have been wholeheartedly supported by the whole racing community in both a professional and personal way.

We held nothing back in pursuing Dobsy’s racing and so I need regret nothing. Our lives have been immeasurably enriched by the TT and the Isle of Man.

I would like to thank Bruce Anstey who had Dobsy in his thoughts even in his moment of glory after the Senior TT.

I would especially like to thank Paul Owen. Paul was perhaps Dobsy’s greatest rival and friend at the TT. They were very evenly matched and Dobsy measured his performance against Paul’s. They invariably got together soon after a practice or race to share their experiences. Paul’s selfless and big hearted action on Thursday moves me beyond words. Without hesitation, he did everything in his power to try to help Dobsy. Paul truly embodies the spirit of the TT and I wish the award could be named after him for posterity.

This is a difficult time for Dobsy’s mother, Dawn. I hope that she can overcome and put aside her hurting. She helped to make Dobsy what he was and she should be very proud.

Dobsy’s daughters, Eadlin and Hillberry, are two very special people. They have lived an honest and unsheltered life and I know they both understand exactly what this means. They will miss their Dad terribly and there will be some hard times over the coming weeks, months and years. But I also know that they have been shaped by having Dobsy in their lives and they are all the stronger, smarter and braver for that.

He really spoilt my week but he has brought infinite joy, adventure and fun to our lives. He has energised and inspired. He will live forever in our esteem, our thoughts and our hearts.

Bridget

[OnCam]

Found a quick photo online of Dobsy at 2010 TT at Ballaugh Bridge
1045hrs - Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1 4 laps

RIP Dude

[NedKellley]

Rest in peace Dobsy, condolences to Bridget, Eadlin, Hillberry and all who knew and loved Dobsy....

[Toast]

Heard about this Friday morning at Manfeild. Even though it is the Isle of Mann and such incidents are always possible, it really hit home for me, cosidering I was talking to him and getting advice from him at a meeting just 2 months ago.

RIP Paul, and deepest condolences to your family