By Sam ...
I have decided to write today's entry in Troy's weekly as this is a story probably a little closer to my heart... about the sad loss of David "DJ" Jefferies.
I have known DJ for many years now and it was a huge shock to hear of his recent accident at the Isle of Man. David has been a personal friend for many years and I have some fantastic memories, particularly from past Macau GPs, of good laughs with the gentle giant. There have also been many occasions where Troy and I and DJ have enjoyed a chat, often to hear humorous stories of David's antics in a GMC truck that he bought from us. The truck used to pull a 5th wheel motorhome that started in Scott Russell's hands, came to us, went to the Whitham residence and finally remained with DJ. A big truck for a big guy, with a big heart. David always had time for a chat and a laugh and always had a great sense of humour, quite often at his own expense. It's really tragic to think that his big smile won't brighten the paddocks once more.
Whilst having watched the TT coverage over the past years and been present at a couple of Macau GPs these guys have really blown me away with the speeds they are going, but at the same time you always believe and hope that they are riding within their limits. I don't doubt that David was at this time, as skilled a racer he was on the roads, however it just goes to show that - on the roads - the smallest crash can take your breath away.
I am proud to have known David and am very saddened by his death, and both mine and Troy's most sincere condolences go out to DJ's parents Tony and Pauline, his sister Louise, and his girlfriend Susan. We can only take some consolation knowing that he took his last lap of life at the place he loved most, doing what he loved most. He knew the dangers he faced and he took them like a man.
Without DJ, and following the sad death earlier this year of Ronnie Smith, the bars we so often frequented at Macau and Thailand would never be the same again.
