PEOPLE
I was 45 minutes late meeting Mike – not a great start – but he laughed it off, saying that Silverstone was always difficult to get around, being such a sprawling track.
I had turned up on a bike, but been turned away from the nearest car park to the pits despite my passes (issued by Mike) and had to walk to catch a bus to the pit complex…
This feature was never meant to be an obituary, but instead a tribute to his work. Sadly it got taken over by events when Mike passed away, aged 74, while working at the San Marino Grand Prix.
Mike Trimby, boss of IRTA (International Roadrace Teams Association) headed up a 14-strong team enabling the smooth running of all the MotoGP events that get beamed to our homes of a weekend.
IRTA has – since the 1980s – aimed at improving circuit safety, helping each team get organised for every event and season, ensuring fair pay for all and getting the show on telly.
Ironically, the classic sport we know and love could well be called ‘the bad old days’. Riders were treated poorly, paid pathetically and treated badly – and yet they were laying their lives on the line to
