THE family of a former Isle of Man TT rider have paid tribute to their “hero” who died in a crash at the weekend.

Andy McGladdery died on Sunday when his Kawasaki bike was involved in a collision with a Ford Galaxy just before 10.25am on Sunday on the B6279 Darlington to Ingleton road at the Walworth junction.

Throughout the 1980s the 58-year-old, of Sadberge, near Darlington, competed across the globe in world championships, as well as being a regular competitor in the Isle of Man TT, where, in 1986 he finished third behind legend, Joey Dunlop and Gary Johnson.

His family would regularly accompany him on his trips abroad, and today his 30-year-old son, Dan, paid tribute saying: “It is a cliché but he is our hero. 

“I will miss the simple things like watching the Moto GP with him, or going to watch the Boro, or even just having a pint with him and putting the world to rights.”

Born in Middlesbrough in 1954, he began racing Lambretta scooters at the age of 19 before moving onto Yamaha motorbikes, igniting his love of road racing.

He moved to Middleton St George, near Darlington, in 1977 and always wore a helmet emblazoned with the St George coat of arms.

It was there where he later made a name for himself by building and racing his own hand built bikes, nicknamed The Growler, with help from friends and family.

Brother, Geoff said: “It was quite astonishing the way people would come and work all night, but that was Andy, he could get people to do extraordinary things.

“In all his time racing he hardly ever had any serious injuries, and that is the tragic irony.”

After retiring from professional racing in 1990, the Middlesbrough Football Club fan continued to ride classic bikes and was a keen mountain biker and skier. He also enjoyed sailing and qualified as a day skipper and regularly went hill walking with his partner of 20 years, Caroline.

His 27-year-old son, Nick, said: “He had an amazing sense of humour, and would say the most outrageous things and get away with it. He was good craic.”

No funeral arrangements have yet been made but his family have asked for donations to the Great North Air Ambulance and the Joey Dunlop Foundation in lieu of flowers.

They are also hoping to rebuild Mr McGladdery’s original “Growler” motorbike and would welcome any help.