18 replies to this topic

[ex Rhodie racer]

Thirty years ago today, Ireland lost one of it´s brightest hopes for a 500 world title.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Tom Herron in the IOM in 1976 when he scored his famous double victory, in the junior and senior races. He seemed totally unaffected by his success in racing and he came across as a really nice, down to earth kind of guy. He was a superb real road racer, as well as a great short circuit scratcher, and it was curious that the factories took as long as they did before they came knocking on his door.
Although already 29 years of age by the time he signed up with Suzuki, I don´t feel Tom ever realized his full potential.
Would he have been able to challenge for the world title had he not met his untimely end? I think so, especially in the light of what we know know, namely, that the factory Suzuki´s were the the dominant machines in 1981 and 82. I think he was a better rider than both Uncini and Lucchinelli.
The two pics below have been reproduced from Jon Ekerold´s excellent book, The Privateer, with his kind permission.

[picblanc]

Nice one Rhodie
Thirty years!!, hard to believe

[Jambo]

Thirty years ago today, Ireland lost one of it´s brightest hopes for a 500 world title.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Tom Herron in the IOM in 1976 when he scored his famous double victory, in the junior and senior races. He seemed totally unaffected by his success in racing and he came across as a really nice, down to earth kind of guy. He was a superb real road racer, as well as a great short circuit scratcher, and it was curious that the factories took as long as they did before they came knocking on his door.
Although already 29 years of age by the time he signed up with Suzuki, I don´t feel Tom ever realized his full potential.
Would he have been able to challenge for the world title had he not met his untimely end? I think so, especially in the light of what we know know, namely, that the factory Suzuki´s were the the dominant machines in 1981 and 82. I think he was a better rider than both Uncini and Lucchinelli.
The two pics below have been reproduced from Jon Ekerold´s excellent book, The Privateer, with his kind permission.

Was looking at his helmet the other month, one of the awards for the Ulster Grand Prix was a trophy which had one of Herrons helmets on the top, Joey won this three times and got to keep it so it resides in his garage! Herron was very popular with Joey. Tom Herron died before I was born but I have been told about him from my dad and others. A sad loss

[fil2.8]

Very , very well said Rhodie , a sad loss

[TZ350]

Very , very well said Rhodie , a sad loss

As you say Phil a sad loss and unbeleivable that is 30 years today !

[TZ350]

My brother had beers with Tom Herron the night before 'Black Saturday' and liked him immensely. Toms death hit him very very hard indeed. He still says, 'if Tom could die, what chance did I have'? He never raced at 100% again.

People forget that racers are not gladiators.

Too true Pete I was still getting over the death of Toms Mechanic (on that awful M1 hard shoulder accident IIRC) when he was killed

[SJMPhoto]

Tom Herron - 30 years on.

My thanks to Tom's great friend Jon Ekerold for bringing this thread to my attention and thanks to ex Rhodie Racer for the posting.

Tom Herron was, (in my opinion) the best motorcycle racer Ireland ever produced and there is no doubt in my mind that he would have lifted the 500cc World Championship. His performances in the early part of 1979 were proof of that.
He was an extremely popular rider and behind the visor of that famous Kangol Falcon helmet was a man who, whilst reaching the giddy heights of his chosen profession, was one of the most unassuming and down-to-earth characters you could ever meet, a superstar who was totally unaffected by his standing on the world stage. The real tragedy with Tom's untimely passing is that his family lost a much loved husband, father and brother.

If I may, I would like to finish by quoting from my tribute website:

'He was a unique person. Very funny, affectionate, a perfectionist, a very hard worker and a great friend for anyone to have' - Andrea Coleman

Stephen McKeown
www.tomtwherron.com

[picblanc]

Tom Herron - 30 years on.

My thanks to Tom's great friend Jon Ekerold for bringing this thread to my attention and thanks to ex Rhodie Racer for the posting.

Tom Herron was, (in my opinion) the best motorcycle racer Ireland ever produced and there is no doubt in my mind that he would have lifted the 500cc World Championship. His performances in the early part of 1979 were proof of that.
He was an extremely popular rider and behind the visor of that famous Kangol Falcon helmet was a man who, whilst reaching the giddy heights of his chosen profession, was one of the most unassuming and down-to-earth characters you could ever meet, a superstar who was totally unaffected by his standing on the world stage. The real tragedy with Tom's untimely passing is that his family lost a much loved husband, father and brother.

If I may, I would like to finish by quoting from my tribute website:

'He was a unique person. Very funny, affectionate, a perfectionist, a very hard worker and a great friend for anyone to have' - Andrea Coleman

Stephen McKeown
www.tomtwherron.com

Your site is a fine tribute to him Stephen.

[SJMPhoto]

Your site is a fine tribute to him Stephen.

Thank-you Graham, much appreciated. There's more to come on the site.

[TZ350]

Tom Herron - 30 years on.

My thanks to Tom's great friend Jon Ekerold for bringing this thread to my attention and thanks to ex Rhodie Racer for the posting.

Tom Herron was, (in my opinion) the best motorcycle racer Ireland ever produced and there is no doubt in my mind that he would have lifted the 500cc World Championship. His performances in the early part of 1979 were proof of that.
He was an extremely popular rider and behind the visor of that famous Kangol Falcon helmet was a man who, whilst reaching the giddy heights of his chosen profession, was one of the most unassuming and down-to-earth characters you could ever meet, a superstar who was totally unaffected by his standing on the world stage. The real tragedy with Tom's untimely passing is that his family lost a much loved husband, father and brother.

If I may, I would like to finish by quoting from my tribute website:

'He was a unique person. Very funny, affectionate, a perfectionist, a very hard worker and a great friend for anyone to have' - Andrea Coleman

Stephen McKeown
www.tomtwherron.com

Stephen what a great site and real monument to a 'little' ( I am a six footer )but at the same time great man ~ I would have given anything to have a 1/10th of his talent ! ....... IMHO I believe my respect, sentiments and thoughts of this man have been shown previously on this or the previous thread RIP TOM

Edited by TZ350, 28 May 2009 - 03:59.

[SJMPhoto]

Stephen what a great site and real monument to a 'little' ( I am a six footer )but at the same time great man ~ I would have given anything to have a 1/10th of his talent ! ....... IMHO I believe my respect, sentiments and thoughts of this man have been shown previously on this or the previous thread RIP TOM

Thanks Julian

[knickerbrook]

Say Stephen - your Tom herron site is superb !
Tom's TT lap is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the attraction of riding the TT course (and for anyone who has ridden it - albeit somewhat slower than Tom did!).
You'll love it Dennis!

Barry.

[fil2.8]

Your site is a fine tribute to him Stephen.

I'll agree with all thats been said Stephen

[ex Rhodie racer]

I'll agree with all thats been said Stephen

Me too. Keep up the good work.

[Coupe Kawasaki]

That is one brilliant site Stephen, what a tribute to a remarkable rider. Kept me happy for ages, thanks.


David

[stuavant]

That is one brilliant site Stephen, what a tribute to a remarkable rider. Kept me happy for ages, thanks.


David

I just borrowed Jon Ekerolds book from a mate last night and spent a few hours reading about him and Tom. Great reading!

[SJMPhoto]

I would like to thank everyone for your kind comments regarding my tribute to Tom.
There's more to come on the site.

Stephen

[divinidiot]

Wow! What a brilliant site.

A great memorial to one of my childhood favourites.

Thanks,

Tom

[BK11]

Nice one Rhodie
Thirty years!!, hard to believe

My word, it is thirty years. We met Tom when he came to Brands Hatch for his first appearance in England some time in 1968. Tom rushed past me at Druids during practise on two seperate occasions and fell off both times. I went to talk with him in the paddock after the second crash as I was concerned for his and probably other riders safety. He was an absolute gem and we became instant friends and I signed him up to race for Five Star Speed Equipe, as our rider in Ireland and the IOM.This arrangement went for a couple of years but there were bigger things for Tom. I found out about a year later from Raymond McCulloch, that Tom crashed at Druids as he was trying to outbreak me into the corner , as he was told I was the man to beat. I did win the 250 race on that day. The first time Tom crashed at the North West, he was cared for in the Royal Ulster Infirmary in Belfast in 1971. When I crashed my Seeley in practise for the Killinchy 150 on the Dundrod circuit a little while after Tom had left the Infirmary, I was placed in his bed. We had the same surgeon , Mr Wilson, placed a pin into the fima of the right leg. Whilst I was in the infirmary, my wife Wendy came over to visit me in hospital and stayed with the Herron family. I am also guilty for introducing my very dear friend Andrea (Blossom) Williams (Peter Williams sister) to Tom. Blossom and Tom fell in love instantly. Tom was a great character and a true gentleman as was FS, his father. A sad sad loss for us all.

Brian Kemp