Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1507502
to become the safety represen- tative for a small percentage of riders' earnings. Financially secure because of his other enterprises, it was a task he embraced enthusiasti - cally, becoming a thorn in the side of frequently complacent circuit operators and self-satis - fied FIM officials. Tackling matters head-on with notable determination, Trimby won few friends among promot - ers and circuit managers but earned the undying gratitude of riders and other participants, as not only safety was gradually but emphatically improved, but also income and working conditions. The seeds of IRTA came in the formation of the short-lived ARMCO Association of Racing Motorcycle Constructors. In 1986 it evolved into IRTA, the International Racing Teams As - sociation, one of a small group of associations including a short-lived Promoters group as well as the FIM, a new company formed by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, and then latecomers Dorna. Ecclestone played a vital role in a lively political and commer - cial struggle while Trimby was at the heart of matters, and while he admitted that Ecclestone had played one side against the other for his own profit, he was grateful for the way it worked out, with new arrivals Dorna arriving to take over the TV and commercial rights, the FIM step - ping back to an advisory and ceremonial role in exchange for a share of the profits. Evolution since then has not always been smooth. Racing had to cope with the loss of tobacco sponsorship, the financial crisis of 2008 and dwindling grid num - bers that led to the temporary addition of production-based CRT bikes. Throughout, Trimby worked hand-in-glove with Dorna, fully in support of the thrust to make racing fairer for all and not just the best-financed teams. He told an interviewer in 2020: "I think that Carmelo Ezpeleta's single biggest achievement in sorting out MotoGP was getting the single ECU approved." Trimby, supported throughout by his wife, Irene, and a core of loyal IRTA staff, was a highly visible and always important presence at every GP, on hand to make quick emergency deci - sions, as well as always avail- able in the IRTA headquarters to deal with a huge range of questions. As a consequence, Trimby was also responsible for pre - serving a strong British influence in a paddock that in other areas has become increasingly, not merely predominantly, Spanish, but also something of an Ezpele - ta fiefdom. TRIBUTES GARRY TAYLOR – former Suzuki team manager and IRTA founder member "His contribution was incalcu- lable—achieved through determi- nation and sheer guts. Safety is what he really he stood for, and then conditions in the paddock. He'd been a successful rider, and he understood the business side of things, and he had logic and fairness. And he was very, very persistent." PAUL BUTLER – IRTA founder member and then Race Director "The key thing was as the prime mover in safety. A previ- ous racer himself, he had good commercial experience, and he had a good positive—not to say aggressive—attitude towards the organizers, and he did a tremen - dous job." CARMELO EZPELETA – Dorna CEO "Mike worked first for safety, then to defend the riders and teams. In the beginning for Dorna in the 1990s it was true at first, we often argued, but it is fantastic how we resolved is - sues, and since 1993 we worked together." JORGE VIEJA – FIM President "We had a meeting yesterday, and he was in a good mood. I convinced him to come to the FIM Awards for the first time because we have awarded him a gold medal … and he agreed." KEITH HUEWEN – ex GP rider and friend "Mike's impeccable integrity, dip- lomatic and organizational skills were key factors over 45 years of exceptional achievements. He was trusted and respected by generations of riders. Team owners and promoters. It feels like the end now, but his legacy will forever make the future bet - ter for MotoGP." Michael Scott VOLUME ISSUE SEPETEMBER , P33