Keith Farmer, a four-time British motorcycle champion and one of the most successful motorcyclists in Northern Ireland, died suddenly on 10 November 2022 at the age of 35. His death shocked and saddened the motorsport community, who paid tribute to his talent and achievements. But what was the cause of death of Keith Farmer, and how did he die?
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The Circumstances of His Death
According to ITV News, Keith Farmer was found unresponsive at his home in Penrith, Cumbria, on 4 November 2022. He was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary, where he died six days later. The cause of his death has not been made public yet, and an inquest has been opened and adjourned until 20 April 2023.
Keith Farmer had retired from racing in September 2021, after suffering from multiple injuries in accidents. He had broken both his legs in a crash at Knockhill in 2019, and had undergone several surgeries to recover. He had also experienced bad luck and mechanical issues that hampered his performance on the track.
He worked as a civil engineer for Waiting’s Ltd, a company that sponsored him during his racing career. He was originally from Clogher, County Tyrone, in Northern Ireland, where he was known as the “Clogher Bullet”. He moved to England in 2012 to pursue his racing ambitions.
His Racing Career and Achievements
Keith Farmer started racing in 2008, and quickly rose to prominence in the British motorcycle scene. He won his first national title in 2011, when he became the British Superstock 600 champion. He repeated his success in 2012, when he won the British Superstock 1000 championship.
He moved up to the British Superbike Championship (BSB) in 2013, riding for Paul Bird Motorsport. He also competed for other prominent teams, such as Buildbase Suzuki and TAS Racing. He won his third national title in 2017, when he clinched the British Supersport crown.
He returned to the Superstock 1000 class in 2018, and won his fourth and final national title with Tyco BMW. He was the first rider to win four different national championships in Britain. He also made history by becoming the first rider to win two races in one day at the North West 200 road race in Northern Ireland.
He continued to race in the BSB until his retirement in 2021. He was regarded as one of the most talented and versatile riders in the country, who could adapt to any bike and any circuit. He was also praised for his determination and resilience, as he overcame many challenges and setbacks throughout his career.
The Tributes and Condolences
Keith Farmer’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and admiration from his family, friends, colleagues, rivals, and fans. His wife Laura Farmer posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, saying that he was her “soulmate” and “best friend”. She also thanked everyone for their support and kindness during this difficult time.
His former teams and sponsors also expressed their sorrow and gratitude for working with him. Philip Neill, the team principal of TAS Racing, said that Keith Farmer was “a close friend of the team” and “his talent was undeniable”. Paul Bird, the owner of Paul Bird Motorsport, said that Keith Farmer was “a great rider” and “a lovely lad”.
His fellow riders also paid tribute to his skills and personality. Glenn Irwin, a BSB rider, described him as his “fierce rival” and “pure raw talent”. Alastair Seeley, a road racing legend, said that he was “gutted” by the news and called him “a great competitor”. Peter Hickman, a BSB and road racing star, said that he was “devastated” by the loss and praised him as “a fantastic rider”.
The British Superbike Championship also issued a statement, saying that Keith Farmer “will be terribly missed by all that had the pleasure of meeting him throughout his career”. It added that he was “a brilliant and successful rider on track” who will be “fondly remembered by his rivals, colleagues and fans”.
Keith Farmer’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him and admired him. He was a true champion of British motorcycle racing, who achieved remarkable feats with passion and courage. He will always be remembered as one of Northern Ireland’s most successful motorcyclists.
