Some opening words from his Father, Tony :-
We have just received this tribute from Larry Carter, Roving Reporter of the North which we consider a fitting tribute to Dave. We, Pauline, his sister Louise and I would like you all to know that we are overwhelmed by the kind whishes received through the guestbook, email and personal letters from his supporters and fans.
We will post details of the funeral arrangements as soon as the inquest in the Isle of Man has been completed.
God bless you all
Tony Jefferies
DAVID JEFFERIES
18th September 1972 to 29th May 2003
I was hoping to be writing about the traditional fast times that come on the only afternoon of practice week but instead, it is with heaviest heart imaginable that I have to pen this tribute to one of the greatest modern day road racers of the new generation. David Jefferies was killed in accident at Crosby village on his beloved TT course on Thursday 29th May 2003.
When you get out of bed on a morning, you don’t expect to be writing obituaries but sadly, in recent years and especially at the TT, as the bikes have got faster and more of the riders become friends, the expectancy occasionally turns into reality and we find ourselves disbelieving of the truth.
‘DJ’ was a gentle giant in the truest sense of the word who enjoyed life to the full. Toys were his forte whether trucks, army surplus jeeps, supermoto bikes or fire engines, he had to have a dabble. I remember being present at his first road race at Cadwell back in the spring of 1990 and even as a raw seventeen year old, he was stocky but even at that relatively young age then, his talent shone through. Many would have us believe that he was too big to be a short circuit bike racer but I’ve lost count of the times he’s stuffed it up ‘em and taken great satisfaction of pointing it out afterwards. True, he was a big guy with an equally big heart and perhaps Jim Moodie, ironically injured in the same accident which claimed his buddy’s life, summed it up in saying that “he draughts like a truck!”
He could mix it with the best on whatever track you threw at him and given a rider who raced such a luminary mix of bikes in a whole host of classes, it was often forgotten that he had 500cc GP and WSB experience as well as taking four domestic titles with consummate ease. He raced from Daytona to Donington, Brands to Brno, Sugo to Silverstone and most places in between.
But it was on the roads that David excelled and particularly at the TT where at the time of his death, he held the outright lap record as well as bagging nine victories in just three short years. It was a question that was often posed of him as to whether or not he could beat Joey Dunlop’s record of twenty six wins and to up the lap record to the magical 130mph mark.
He was always forthright with his answers but never pretentious. Paradoxically, he never won an ‘easy’ TT. They were all in the big bike classes, packed with top riders and quality machines but it was testimony to the big Yorkshireman that he sought improvements lap on lap, year on year.
Whilst there’s bound to have been the inevitable backlash about the rights and wrongs of the TT and calls once again for it to be banned, spare a thought for David and his feelings about the place.
I had the pleasure of doing an interview with him after last year’s TT which appeared in Issue 44 of this very magazine and whilst we all mourn his tragic passing, he left us under no illusions as to his love for the place.
“No one is forcing me to go, I'm doing it completely off my own back, I enjoy doing it, the people around me know I enjoy doing it and it's something I want to do. There are so many things in life that you aren't allowed to do for some pathetic reason that some bloke in a suit has decided because it's dangerous or some other reason. Road racing is dangerous, no two ways about it but I would like to think I ride within my limits. I do everything I can to eliminate many of the risks and make myself as safe as possible. I do not and will not take any unnecessary risks” he told me, and that was good enough, but his passion went beyond that:
“Just look at the amount of people who get hurt or killed horse riding, yet ‘society’ tells us that motorbikes are dangerous. You know, all these people who live in the country and think everything's marvellous and super but they conveniently choose to ignore the statistics when it comes to the likes of horse riding or rugby, which are both damned dangerous and people end up regularly getting injured or worse. That's because they're ‘society’ sports and the people involved have been to public school and played rugby and their daughters ride horses. Those statistics are never printed because that would be bad karma for all the posh knobs”
His direct opinions always made sense and good day or bad, great result or poor, he always had time to talk to you. He pulled no punches, commanded respect and always got it but it was his honesty and integrity that was one of his most appealing factors. I quizzed him as to his motivation for doing it but it wasn’t long before he was enthralling as to the real reasons:
“Of course it's financial, it's my job. I'm sure you journalists and writers don't do it just because you enjoy it, and give all your magazines and books away for free, like hell you do, you do it because you earn a living from it and I'm the same. I think I'm the most fortunate guy in the world getting to do what I enjoy and making a living at it and I have a great life socially and with meeting people all over the world. I'm very lucky. It's also the buzz you get and, until you've ridden round there, it's difficult to explain. It's awesome and I really enjoy it.”
As with most accidents, they are a culmination of circumstances and Jefferies’ was no exception. In the wrong place at the wrong time at one of the fastest points on the course but the perhaps one of the saddest facts of all is that this very accident, involving probably the highest profile racer ever, will be another nail in the coffin of the world’s greatest road race. Again, DJ had his own raucous thoughts:
“There will probably come a point when some Eurocratic person in Parliament or wherever says that it's too dangerous and then it will be banned, but until then we have to promote it responsibly, make it as safe as we can and if you don't want to do it then don't, but leave those who do to enjoy it as best they can. It ****** me off when people start slagging it off when there's no need. Just walk away and return to watching people cross the street or doing traffic surveys or whatever they do. You've got to realise that this is more than a passion or a job, people mortgage their houses to enable themselves to compete and I believe if you're passionate enough to make sacrifices, you should be allowed to do it.”
But despite his love for the place, even the officials didn’t escape his straight talking. He was renowned for being opinionated, quick with the one liners, and as direct as an archer’s arrow. You knew when “Deej” was railroading and you didn’t mess with him.
“There are so many things that they're so far behind the times with its unbelievable. I know exactly what the problem is and it's because the Isle of Man is steeped in tradition which I'm all for in general. I love seeing the big old stone buildings in Bradford and hate it when they knock them down and put some featureless flats there, but certain things need to progress. But don't get me wrong, I'm not having a pot at it as I love the TT and I hope it keeps going as long as it can. Don't make out I hate the TT otherwise I'll kill you! It just needs a kick up the arse to bring it into the modern times”
That was DJ all over and that’s why we all loved, admired and respected him but perhaps the most poignant quote from one of the greatest riders in TT history summed it all up with an prophetically ostentatious pronouncement:
“I think of all the dangers all the time and I firmly believe in sitting down and talking things through with the people you're racing with, or the organisers, or in my case, as I'm not married, my parents and indeed my girlfriend. You've got to be able to discuss what can happen to you and I've quite openly told them that I could go home in a box.”
Maybe it was no coincidence that a bright and sunny day clouded over at that point as David departed this mortal earth and exactly how it will affect things in the weeks, months and years to come remains to be seen. I have my own opinions but I shall not let them shroud the everlasting memory of DJ but the afterlife paddock must be short of characters lately because someone’s been calling them all in for a while now.
But for now, our thoughts are with David’s dedicated parents, Tony and Pauline and his sister Louise plus everyone else, of which there are many, who are friends of the Jefferies’ extended family, so steeped in racing tradition. It’s of little consolation but we share their shock and grief and will continue to do so for a long time to come.
David Jefferies. Nine times TT winner, outright TT lap record holder and all round good guy. The greatest? Who will ever know but one of the best without a shadow of doubt.
Godspeed and rest in peace, big fella, we’re sure going to miss you and say hello to Joey and the boys for us.
“Do not fear death so much, but rather an inadequate life.”
Bertolt Brecht 1898 - 1956
By Larry Carter
Quoted from David Jefferies Website
We have just received this tribute from Larry Carter, Roving Reporter of the North which we consider a fitting tribute to Dave. We, Pauline, his sister Louise and I would like you all to know that we are overwhelmed by the kind whishes received through the guestbook, email and personal letters from his supporters and fans.
We will post details of the funeral arrangements as soon as the inquest in the Isle of Man has been completed.
God bless you all
Tony Jefferies
DAVID JEFFERIES
18th September 1972 to 29th May 2003
I was hoping to be writing about the traditional fast times that come on the only afternoon of practice week but instead, it is with heaviest heart imaginable that I have to pen this tribute to one of the greatest modern day road racers of the new generation. David Jefferies was killed in accident at Crosby village on his beloved TT course on Thursday 29th May 2003.
When you get out of bed on a morning, you don’t expect to be writing obituaries but sadly, in recent years and especially at the TT, as the bikes have got faster and more of the riders become friends, the expectancy occasionally turns into reality and we find ourselves disbelieving of the truth.
‘DJ’ was a gentle giant in the truest sense of the word who enjoyed life to the full. Toys were his forte whether trucks, army surplus jeeps, supermoto bikes or fire engines, he had to have a dabble. I remember being present at his first road race at Cadwell back in the spring of 1990 and even as a raw seventeen year old, he was stocky but even at that relatively young age then, his talent shone through. Many would have us believe that he was too big to be a short circuit bike racer but I’ve lost count of the times he’s stuffed it up ‘em and taken great satisfaction of pointing it out afterwards. True, he was a big guy with an equally big heart and perhaps Jim Moodie, ironically injured in the same accident which claimed his buddy’s life, summed it up in saying that “he draughts like a truck!”
He could mix it with the best on whatever track you threw at him and given a rider who raced such a luminary mix of bikes in a whole host of classes, it was often forgotten that he had 500cc GP and WSB experience as well as taking four domestic titles with consummate ease. He raced from Daytona to Donington, Brands to Brno, Sugo to Silverstone and most places in between.
But it was on the roads that David excelled and particularly at the TT where at the time of his death, he held the outright lap record as well as bagging nine victories in just three short years. It was a question that was often posed of him as to whether or not he could beat Joey Dunlop’s record of twenty six wins and to up the lap record to the magical 130mph mark.
He was always forthright with his answers but never pretentious. Paradoxically, he never won an ‘easy’ TT. They were all in the big bike classes, packed with top riders and quality machines but it was testimony to the big Yorkshireman that he sought improvements lap on lap, year on year.
Whilst there’s bound to have been the inevitable backlash about the rights and wrongs of the TT and calls once again for it to be banned, spare a thought for David and his feelings about the place.
I had the pleasure of doing an interview with him after last year’s TT which appeared in Issue 44 of this very magazine and whilst we all mourn his tragic passing, he left us under no illusions as to his love for the place.
“No one is forcing me to go, I'm doing it completely off my own back, I enjoy doing it, the people around me know I enjoy doing it and it's something I want to do. There are so many things in life that you aren't allowed to do for some pathetic reason that some bloke in a suit has decided because it's dangerous or some other reason. Road racing is dangerous, no two ways about it but I would like to think I ride within my limits. I do everything I can to eliminate many of the risks and make myself as safe as possible. I do not and will not take any unnecessary risks” he told me, and that was good enough, but his passion went beyond that:
“Just look at the amount of people who get hurt or killed horse riding, yet ‘society’ tells us that motorbikes are dangerous. You know, all these people who live in the country and think everything's marvellous and super but they conveniently choose to ignore the statistics when it comes to the likes of horse riding or rugby, which are both damned dangerous and people end up regularly getting injured or worse. That's because they're ‘society’ sports and the people involved have been to public school and played rugby and their daughters ride horses. Those statistics are never printed because that would be bad karma for all the posh knobs”
His direct opinions always made sense and good day or bad, great result or poor, he always had time to talk to you. He pulled no punches, commanded respect and always got it but it was his honesty and integrity that was one of his most appealing factors. I quizzed him as to his motivation for doing it but it wasn’t long before he was enthralling as to the real reasons:
“Of course it's financial, it's my job. I'm sure you journalists and writers don't do it just because you enjoy it, and give all your magazines and books away for free, like hell you do, you do it because you earn a living from it and I'm the same. I think I'm the most fortunate guy in the world getting to do what I enjoy and making a living at it and I have a great life socially and with meeting people all over the world. I'm very lucky. It's also the buzz you get and, until you've ridden round there, it's difficult to explain. It's awesome and I really enjoy it.”
As with most accidents, they are a culmination of circumstances and Jefferies’ was no exception. In the wrong place at the wrong time at one of the fastest points on the course but the perhaps one of the saddest facts of all is that this very accident, involving probably the highest profile racer ever, will be another nail in the coffin of the world’s greatest road race. Again, DJ had his own raucous thoughts:
“There will probably come a point when some Eurocratic person in Parliament or wherever says that it's too dangerous and then it will be banned, but until then we have to promote it responsibly, make it as safe as we can and if you don't want to do it then don't, but leave those who do to enjoy it as best they can. It ****** me off when people start slagging it off when there's no need. Just walk away and return to watching people cross the street or doing traffic surveys or whatever they do. You've got to realise that this is more than a passion or a job, people mortgage their houses to enable themselves to compete and I believe if you're passionate enough to make sacrifices, you should be allowed to do it.”
But despite his love for the place, even the officials didn’t escape his straight talking. He was renowned for being opinionated, quick with the one liners, and as direct as an archer’s arrow. You knew when “Deej” was railroading and you didn’t mess with him.
“There are so many things that they're so far behind the times with its unbelievable. I know exactly what the problem is and it's because the Isle of Man is steeped in tradition which I'm all for in general. I love seeing the big old stone buildings in Bradford and hate it when they knock them down and put some featureless flats there, but certain things need to progress. But don't get me wrong, I'm not having a pot at it as I love the TT and I hope it keeps going as long as it can. Don't make out I hate the TT otherwise I'll kill you! It just needs a kick up the arse to bring it into the modern times”
That was DJ all over and that’s why we all loved, admired and respected him but perhaps the most poignant quote from one of the greatest riders in TT history summed it all up with an prophetically ostentatious pronouncement:
“I think of all the dangers all the time and I firmly believe in sitting down and talking things through with the people you're racing with, or the organisers, or in my case, as I'm not married, my parents and indeed my girlfriend. You've got to be able to discuss what can happen to you and I've quite openly told them that I could go home in a box.”
Maybe it was no coincidence that a bright and sunny day clouded over at that point as David departed this mortal earth and exactly how it will affect things in the weeks, months and years to come remains to be seen. I have my own opinions but I shall not let them shroud the everlasting memory of DJ but the afterlife paddock must be short of characters lately because someone’s been calling them all in for a while now.
But for now, our thoughts are with David’s dedicated parents, Tony and Pauline and his sister Louise plus everyone else, of which there are many, who are friends of the Jefferies’ extended family, so steeped in racing tradition. It’s of little consolation but we share their shock and grief and will continue to do so for a long time to come.
David Jefferies. Nine times TT winner, outright TT lap record holder and all round good guy. The greatest? Who will ever know but one of the best without a shadow of doubt.
Godspeed and rest in peace, big fella, we’re sure going to miss you and say hello to Joey and the boys for us.
“Do not fear death so much, but rather an inadequate life.”
Bertolt Brecht 1898 - 1956
By Larry Carter
Quoted from David Jefferies Website
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