Simon Beck was always one of my favorites (mainly because - like me - he was a better size for rugby than racing). I ended up meeting him at the Cadwell race school and he was brilliant - really encouraging and genuine.

I remember lots of his races including him being joint leader on the Duc in the Senor that time - oil seal causing clutch slip or something from memory. My favorite was the one where he rode the MCN(?) CBR600 with the passenger footpegs and everything on it and still knocked out a 114mph lap in the days when 120 on a 600 was exceptional - just showed how much talent he had.

I was gutted when I heard of his accident. Still am to be honest. I can remember those pictures of him looking the real deal in the factory Honda leathers and thinking that he was going to a real chance for a big bike win.

Good to know he's not forgotten.

RIP Simon