Southern 100 racer 'missed' chequered flag in final moments of qualifying session

Verdict of misadventure recorded at inquest

A warning that this story contains information which some readers may find upsetting.

A Southern 100 competitor who was killed during an incident in last year’s event missed the chequered flag which was bringing the qualifying session to a close.

That’s the finding of the coroner of inquests who today (6 August) recorded a verdict of misadventure at the inquest into the death of motorcycle racer Alan Connor.

The 50-year-old, from County Meath in the Republic of Ireland, died on 11 July 2023 after a fatal collision on the Billown Circuit.

He suffered multiple injuries after sustaining blunt force trauma, caused by multiple impacts with ‘roadside structures’, on the Castletown bypass.

Marshal Liam Clarke, from Wigan, was also fatally injured in the incident; the 60-year-old’s inquest will be held at Douglas Courthouse tomorrow (7 August).

‘Race pace’

Eyewitness accounts of what happened in the final moments of the qualifying lap, just before 7pm that evening, were read to the inquest today.

Witnesses described seeing the chequered flag being waved as two of the last riders on the course came into view.

Mr Connor was said to have crossed the finish line slightly behind newcomer Andrew Smart with both going through at speed.

However they noted that whilst Mr Smart had significantly slowed, and gone to move towards the pit lane, Mr Connor had not done so to the same extent.

Mr Connor was observed as travelling at a ‘different speed entirely’; a marshal positioned at the finish line described his bike as ‘still going at race pace as if he was going for another lap’.

‘Glancing collision’

The bikes were described as coming together in a ‘matter of seconds’ with one spectator telling the court: “They both swerved. It was not dramatic but it was unusual.”

The collision caused Mr Connor’s bike to hit the metal fencing, a tree and a lamppost.

“It sounded like an almighty bomb had gone off. It was like looking at a war zone.” - Eyewitness

Mr Smart, who was competing at the Southern 100 for the first time, had his evidence read to the court.

He said he’d begun to slow when he felt an impact behind him adding: “It felt like a massive smash on my back – like a car crash.”

The Barnsley racer, who suffered serious injuries in the collision, said it was his first thought that the other rider had missed the chequered flag.

“I remember feeling angry at the time and shouting ‘how has he not seen that?’ meaning the chequered flag,” he added.

Changes

No mechanical defects were recorded with either machine and both riders had been properly prepared for the events.

Clerk of the Course Giles Olley confirmed to the court that no issues about the visibility of flags had been raised prior to, or during, the event.

He also revealed a number of changes had been made ahead of the 2024 meeting in response to the tragedy saying: “We decided to go above and beyond where we could.”

These included alerting riders to the location of the chequered flag at the pre-event briefing out of an ‘abundance of caution’ and the installation of an additional digital chequered flag.

The flag marshal responsible for finishing sessions has also been given a raised platform to stand on for better visibility; countdown boards indicating how long is left have also been introduced.

Plastic, water filled, barriers have replaced the metal fencing and all restricted areas have been reviewed; the filter lines have also been widened and a flashing digital flag introduced in pitlane.

Extra marshals have also been brought in with Mr Olley conceding: “We’ve looked a lot at the start and finish line and realised we could do with more people in that area.”

Misadventure

Recording a verdict of misadventure Coroner of Inquests James Brooks said the incident had happened ‘relatively quickly’ and there had been little notice of what was going to occur.

“I am perfectly satisfied that Alan missed that flag,” he told the court.

“He did not appreciate the session had come to an end. Alan believed the situation to be continuing.”

Describing the collision as an ‘unintentional act’ he added: “Alan did not see that chequered flag. The reason for that, I cannot say.”

Recommendations

Coroner Brooks also confirmed he would be writing to ACU Events to ask the organisation to consider implementing new checks by travelling marshals.

He suggested they observe the positions of all flags around the course before and between each session to ensure they are visible in future – something Mr Olley said was a ‘reasonable request’.

“Everything should be done throughout an event … to ensure the flag system as a whole remains functional and visible.” Coroner of Inquests James Brooks

Acknowledging that whilst he couldn’t say whether those checks would have prevented this incident happening Coroner Brooks said it could potentially help prevent something similar taking place in the future.

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this story there are details of local organisations that provide advice and support HERE.