A TITLE-winning Penwortham biker has been killed in a horror smash during a warm-up session for the TT Races on the Isle of Man.

Simon Beck, 28, was killed as he travelled round a notorious stretch of track during an evening practice on Tuesday. He is the second fatality at the races this year.

The horrific crash took place in a mountain section of the course, known as the 33rd milestone, which involves three sharp left hand bends in quick succession at an average speed of 140mph.

His father Stanley was in the Isle of Man at the time of the crash. Simon worked at Stanley's firm, Blue Flame Gas Services, in Woodplumpton Road, Preston.

Simon had lived in Leyland Road, Penwortham, with his father until January this year, before moving into Leyland.

He was rated among the top North West bike racers. A qualifying lap of 122.7mph in 1998 made him the sixth fastest rider ever.

Insp Paul Hoggett of Douglas Police said: "Simon is a well-known competitor and has had great success in the past making him very popular.

"In the official programme he was tipped as one of the 10 to watch and was widely tipped to win his first major title."

Since winning the Senior Manx Grand Prix - the amateur version of the main race - in 1990, Simon went on to build up a strong reputation for himself, coming third in the Formula One Race in 1995, third in the production race in 1997 and fourth in the F1 race last year.

A inquest is due to be today (Thursday). Eyewitnesses say his back wheel skidded, causing him to come off his bike.

Harry Martland, the race press officer, said: "This particular bend is not particularly tricky but is very fast. Whereas a car driver would negotiate each of the three bends separately, the riders treat them as one."

His death has sent shockwaves through South Ribble's motorcycling community.

Tony Hudson, who works at Shorrocks Kawasaki Centre in Leyland Road, Penwortham, described Simon's death as "absolutely tragic."

He said: "Simon was very outgoing and bubbly.

"He was dedicated to his racing, especially so to the TT because he had been so successful there."

Company secretary at Blue Flame, Jean Woods, said: "He was a really cheerful person. We knew him as both colleague and friend."

Simon was on his second ride of a coveted factory Honda machine, which he was due to race in the Formula One, Senior, Junior and Production races.

Earlier this week, a Dutch side-car passenger was killed.

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