Keith Farmer, who won four titles in the British Superbike support classes, has died at the age of 35. Check out what happened to him.
Keith Farmer : What happened to | What did die of
From Clogher in County Tyrone, the 35-year-old – who was based in Cumbria – won the Superstock 600 title in 2011 and followed up with the Superstock 1000 crown the following year.
He then underscored his versatility by clinching the British Supersport Championship in 2017 before claiming the Superstock 1000 title for a second time in 2018 with Northern Ireland’s TAS Racing team.
The ‘Clogher Bullet’ contemplated a return this year and was due to compete at an Ulster Superbike round and the Sunflower Trophy meeting in October, but withdrew from both events.
At the time of his retirement, Keith told the News Letter: “I just feel the time is right now because the enjoyment’s not there anymore and my body needs the chance to heal from the injuries I’ve had over these past couple of years.
What happened to Keith Farmer
Four-time British Champion Keith Farmer has died at the age of 35.
Farmer retired from racing during the 2021 season, bringing an end to a hugely successful career within the Bennetts British Superbike Championship paddock.
Four victories and nine podiums saw the ‘Clogher Bullet’ end the season with an advantage of 10.5 points over Billy McConnell.
He was rewarded with a return to the Superbike class with the team and started the year positively with six top 10 finishes in the first four rounds. However, Farmer’s season came to a premature end when he broke both legs in a qualifying accident at Knockhill.
More bad luck followed in 2020. Farmer remained in the Superbike class, this time with Buildbase Suzuki, but crashed during qualifying at the opening round at Donington Park. Farmer sustained a serious arm injury which hampered his season.
The exact cause of death has not been revealed by his family at this time, and they have asked for privacy during this difficult time.
What did die of
There has been devastation in the motorbike community and beyond following the sudden death of four-time British motorcycle champion Keith Farmer.
Known as the ‘Clogher Bullet’, he was just 35 years old.
His brother David announced his passing on Facebook, saying that the biker had passed away suddenly early on Thursday morning. He said he was ‘lost for words’.
“Life will never be the same again,” he said.
Mr Farmer was based in Cumbria, and came from Clogher, Co Tyrone. He was described as “pure raw talent” whose career was hampered by injury and bad luck.
In his Facebook post David Farmer said: “I’m lost for words our little brother left us at 1.45 this morning with us all by his side. Life will never be the same again, he made us all so proud and he will be very sorely missed. Love you Meekie #33”.
He competed for BSB, Paul Bird Motorsport, Buildbase Suzuki and TAS Racing.
There was wide spread tributes paid to the racer and condolences offered to his friends and family.
Glenn Irwin, British Superbike rider, described him as his “fierce rival”.
No cause of death has been revealed yet.