Dr John Hinds and his close friend, mentor and colleague Dr Fred MacSorley, are renowned as the ‘Flying Doctors’…astride their motorbikes, carrying orange packs stuffed with medical equipment, the duo provided not only a world class service but the fastest medical response in world motorsport, saving countless lives at Irish bike races over the past decade. John tragically sustained fatal injuries in a crash doing what he loved in July last year. John is very sadly missed by his local Club.

The Tandragee 100 was John’s favourite circuit and so the Club have decided to name a spot on the course in his memory – “Doc John’s Rise” – which is the last rise (with a right hand kink in it) before Castle Corner.

John’s partner Janet has fond memories of riding pillion and of discussing both the technical challenge it posed as well as the sense of ‘looking up to heaven’ as you arose at the top of the incline.

John had also already begun to campaign for a full air ambulance emergency medicine service for Northern Ireland before his untimely death.

Janet says “John was very, very opposed to needless deaths and statistics show that perhaps as many as 600 people who have been involved in accidents in Northern Ireland since 2003 would still be alive today if we had this service…John wanted the very best for the place where he loved living…If there is going to be anything good to come out of his death it will be a HEMSNI service.” Therefore the Club’s nominated Charity for 2016 was the NI Air Ambulance.

Finally, as a regular blood donor himself, Doc John knew blood saves lives, whether it is used for accident victims or to improve the quality of life of those with cancer or blood disorders; the uses are endless. Therefore the Club would ask everyone who can to become a blood donor in honour of Doc John (#one4hinds).