Tragic Manx Grand Prix star Billy Redmayne will make his final lap of the Mountain Course next week.
The body of the 25-year-old rider, who came from Laxey and who died after an accident at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough on April 17, will be driven round for a final lap before the funeral on Friday, May 13.
A message from his girlfriend, Hannah Wright, on social media, said: ‘We will be starting the day with a lap of the TT course with Billy in his beloved old ambulance and we will be leaving the grandstand at 12 midday.
‘Anyone who wishes to follow on a motorbike is welcome to do so and cars can follow behind the bikes for people who would like to do the lap but don’t have a bike, People are also welcome to stand at the side of the road.’
A military funeral will then take place for Billy, a serving soldier who completed army tours in Afghanistan with the Parachute Regiment, starting at 2pm at Douglas Borough Cemetery and Crematorium.
Because the crematorium is small, the request is to give precedence to family and close friends so they can fit inside. There is also an overflow room and organisers hope to secure some speakers to relay the proceedings outside as well.
The message continues: ‘Following the service, Billy’s ‘party’ will be held at the Villa Marina, in the Colonnade Suite and the Promenade Suite. Family and friends, work colleagues and racing colleagues are welcome to join us. There is no dress code: please wear what you feel comfortable wearing.’
The family is setting up a bank account in the name of Billy Redmayne’s Memorial Fund and a request has been made for donations to be made to that in lieu of flowers. The account is an interim measure while a charity is set up. More details of the charity will be released in due course.
‘The money from this charity will then be helping various other charities and people who are in need,’ Hannah said.
Billy won his Newcomers’ Manx Grand Prix race in 2014 and followed that up by victory in the Junior race at last year’s MGP. He was to have made his TT debut this year.