Biker killed during practice lap at Walderstown Races

The biking community and the community of Newmills in Tyrone is this week mourning the death of 26-year-old Andrew Neill who died during a practice lap at the Walderstown Races on Sunday. The biker was doing a preparation lap of the circuit when he collided with a tree at about 12.40pm on Sunday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The race was called off as a mark of respect to the young man, who was described as one of the most promising up and coming racers in the country. Mr Neill was from Newmills in county Tyrone and was well known on the Irish road racing scene. He had competed in his first Isle of Man TT in June. He finished fourth in the 250cc class at this year"s Billown TT event on the island, having also taken a fourth place at the Castletown circuit the previous year. Mr O"Neill, who was a regular on the Irish road racing scene, won the 250cc race at the Bush Road Races in Tyrone last month and also competed in the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix. The organisers of the Race of the South in Walderstown have conveyed their sympathies to Mr Neill"s wife, family and friends. In a bizarre twist of fate a memorial trophy to honour the late Kevin O"Brien who was killed during the races 20 years ago today (July 15, 1989) was to be presented to the winner of the 250cc junior race at Walderstown this year. Mr O"Brien was 31 years old when he died during a practice run for the second junior event.