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Author Topic: Tony Kirby has Motor Nurone Disease  (Read 10376 times)
Neville Luke
Guest
« on: June 20, 2010, 07,55:14 AM »

Tony Kirby of Sidetrack magazine fame has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, he is already confined to a wheel chair and most likely only has another 1 to 3 years max left,just read this on the Adv riders site,but I can't verify it.For those of you that didn't know of him he started a new concept mag called Sidetrack,it was streets ahead of anything else in it's day and showed us all that was more to riding in the dirt than round and round,his vision was similar to ours,and he got people interested in Adventure Riding he was an initial sponsor to our HCR and did attend some events.I can only wish him and his family all the best in the tough times ahead,Nev
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Peter E
Full Member 2013/2014

Posts: 26


« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2010, 01,50:40 AM »

nev,
sorry to hear that tk has contracted motor nurone disease.
to all those members who may not know tony kirby was instrumental in putting the idea forward for adventure riding and amtra was seen by tony kirby/suzuki sidetrack as the the club best placed to organise the sidetrack series in victoria which is now the hcr.
given tks enthusiasm for all things trailriding and his support for amtra in the early days of the sidetrack ride i would suggest that the committee write to tony and thank him for his support and wish him well for his ensuing fight
peter ellard 
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many thanks
peter ellard
Serge C
Full Member 2013/2014

Posts: 3011



« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2010, 02,38:04 AM »


I phoned Robin Box (Safari Tanks) this morning to see if I could get some more information.  Tony had an office at Robin's place, and I met him there on a few occasions...he's quite a larrikin!

Robin is away for a coulple of weeks, but I'm waiting on a call back from his wife.  I'll post more details when I have some.
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"He may look like an idiot, he may sound like an idiot, but don't let that fool you...he really is an idiot!" - Groucho Marx.
Ken R
Committee 2013/2014
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Posts: 699


Himalayas gateway, only 16,000ft to go.


« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2010, 12,39:06 AM »

When AMTRA was struggling financially to keep the block along came Tony Kirby with the Suzuki/Sidetrack adventure ride series. AMTRA saw the potential and took on the Vic round, the rest is history. Tony also gave Aust trailriders their first real trail riding magazine. Tonys honesty eventually led to 'Sidetrack' being denied access to some top brand bikes to test because he told the truth about them. Eventually this led to the demise of Sidetrack with a lot of pressure for Tony. Hopefully the club and the motor cycle industry can do something to help and/or recognise Tonys great contribution to the sport we all love. Ken Robinson
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SEX - It's OK, but nothing like the real thing!!
Serge C
Full Member 2013/2014

Posts: 3011



« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2010, 05,57:18 AM »


Unfortunatly, everything we have heard is true.  Tony is not a well man.  I spoke to Safari Tanks today, and passed best wishes on behalf of AMTRA.  They will see if there is an e-mail address that we can send a personal message to.

Despite everthing, Tony is in good spirits.
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"He may look like an idiot, he may sound like an idiot, but don't let that fool you...he really is an idiot!" - Groucho Marx.
Mat R
Treasurer
Committee 2013/2014
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Posts: 1775


Treasurer


« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2010, 01,23:41 AM »



From DBW member RED1.

"Tony is doing well, he is taking it on the chin and is still his same old self, he is basically in a wheelchair and will not ride on 2 wheels again. It won't stop him from having fun.

This is from his place recently, we were having time trials in his garage, filmed on my phone so the quality isn't brilliant. This is Tony in action!

Tony is working on a couple of projects and may release some special mags full of hand picked photo's from past issues."
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When is the next ride?
Ken R
Committee 2013/2014
*
Posts: 699


Himalayas gateway, only 16,000ft to go.


« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2010, 06,27:31 AM »

Well that photo of TK certainly is a relief, when you hear MND you expect the worse. Good on him, it would be good to get a contact email address,
(although he was never very good at reading or answering them)
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SEX - It's OK, but nothing like the real thing!!
Mat R
Treasurer
Committee 2013/2014
*
Posts: 1775


Treasurer


« Reply #7 on: December 20, 2010, 01,08:25 AM »

From OzVMX via DBW, it seems time has run out for Tony. RIP.

Funeral is on this Wed 22nd Dec in Castlemaine.

"Tony Kirby passed away last night after a hard fight with motor neuron disease.

TK, one time editor of Australasian Dirt Bike and the founder of SideTrack Magazine, had a great following within all spheres of the motorcycle industry. His honesty about various makes and models could get him into hot water or make the bike a huge success. The industry support was universal; from Yamaha's support of the Across Australia Record in 1998 using the new and untested WR400 to Suzuki's support in a number of Australian Safaris including a class win on a DR250.

Despite being a Kiwi, his knowledge of Australia and the australian bush was almost unique. There would not be a half decent fire trail, interesting single track or back road throughout Australia he hasn't travelled, writtern about or photographed. It could also be argued that he brought trail or adventure riding out of the small time and into a thriving sport. He was instrumental in the formation of the Dual Sport Motorcycle Riding Association (DSMRA), who's aims are to keep riding areas open and to bring like minded riders together.

If you travelled, rode or talked with TK you always received a smile and a dose of his notorious but unique laugh.

I now count every moment I spent with him as lesson on how to live life to the max, just as he did.

His passing was in Newstead near Castemaine in country Victoria. Funeral arrangements have not been made as yet but I will let you know when and where.

Head into the sunset TK and God speed.

Peter Barber"
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When is the next ride?
Tim Dykes
Abbeyard Officer
Administrator

Posts: 1859


Where I want to be...


« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2010, 01,18:16 AM »


RIP TK and thanks.
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I can recall the day Australia went to the dogs...
The day that I had to pay for sauce on my pie.
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