Inquest into NZ racer's death adjourned

An inquest into the death of a New Zealand motorbike racer killed while competing in an Isle of Man TT event has been opened and adjourned.

Paul Dobbs, 39, of Onewhero, 70km south of Auckland, lost his life in a Supersport race on June 10.

The inquest heard he received multiple head injuries in a crash and was pronounced dead at the scene, Manx Radio reported.

Coroner Alastair Montgomerie said Mr Dobbs had an obvious love of the Isle of Man TT, to the extent he had named one of his daughters after the famous Hillberry Corner on the Snaefell mountain course.

Mr Montgomerie said the death was a terrible tragedy, and described Mr Dobbs as a "well-known, highly respected and successful TT competitor" who loved the annual festival, the BBC reported.

Mr Dobbs, who had competed at the Isle of Man since 1999, was killed when he lost control of his 600cc Suzuki on one of the fastest outbound sections of the course, about 11.2km from the start.

His funeral will be held on Monday, with a service in the pit lane at the TT grandstand, followed by a lap of the mountain circuit.

His widow, Bridget Dobbs, said she wanted as many motorcycles as possible to escort her husband on his final lap, Manx Radio reported.

In a statement, she said her husband died in the racing he loved most and thanked him for shaping two "very special" children, Eadlin, 8, and Hilberry, 5.

Mrs Dobbs, who was at the track when her husband crashed said he died instantly and felt no pain.

"He had no knowledge of his end, but was fully focussed on the bike and the race."

Mrs Dobbs also paid tribute to Paul Owen, a fellow TT racer who abandoned his own race to help marshals at the scene of the crash.

Mr Dobbs' team Hallet Aviation Racing withdrew from racing immediately afterward.

Owner Neil Hallett issued a strongly worded statement praising Mr Owen but expressing "utter disgust" for other riders who allegedly went through at race speed despite yellow flags requiring them to slow.

A memorial service for Mr Dobbs will be held in New Zealand at a later date.

- NZPA