Andrew "Sharky" McFarlane killed in MX Nationals Practice

Webmaster posted on May 02, 2010 20:14

It is with deepest regret that we inform you of the passing of Andrew McFarlane often referred to as Sharky McFarlane passed tragically during practice at the Australian Motocross Championship at Broadford on Sunday May 2nd.

KTM Riders line up to pay tribute to Sharky bearing his No.7 Plate as Kevin
Williams addresses the crowd and riders.

(MA) would like to confirm that rider Andrew McFarlane was involved in a critical on-track incident at the third round of the 2010 Australian Motocross Championship at Broadford on Sunday 2nd May.

McFarlane received immediate treatment from medical staff at the track.MA and Victoria Police are now both investigating the incident.MA, Williams Event Management, and JDR Motorsport would like to express their sincerest condolences to the entire McFarlane family.

Former world No2 from Queensland McFarlane aged 33 suffered head injuries when he crashed after becoming airborne on a practice lap at the State Motorcycle Sports Complex at Broadford, north of Melbourne.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said an ambulance was stationed at the track and paramedics worked for about an hour to try to revive him, but unfortunately Andrew died at the scene.

McFarlane returned to Australia last year to race on home turf after nine years competing on the world motocross circuit in Europe and the United States.

He claimed his world number two ranking in 2005.

Officials cancelled the third round of the MX Nationals after the accident which occurred about 9.30am.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

"McFarlane received immediate treatment from medical staff at the track," the statement said.

"MA and Victoria Police are now both investigating the incident.

"MA, Williams Event Management, JDR Motorsport and all of us involved in the sport would like to express our sincerest condolences to the entire McFarlane family."

RIP Andrew (Sharky) McFarlane - Australian MX Legend

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Comments

# noel maggs

Sunday, May 02, 2010 8:44 PM

Vale Andrew Mcfarlane, an absolute legend of australian motocross, what sticks in my mind is his achievement at the world 500mx round at broadford
in 2000. on a kx500 hybrid he ran in 3rd position in the 1st race and took it to the world, i witnessed this whistling as loud as i could every lap he came past (the other spectators were probaly sick of me) i didn't stay for the 2nd race the rain came.
what an effort from a true champion, the rest is history as you took on europe & the usa, you live on in my mind
gospeed

# Mike B.

Monday, May 03, 2010 8:42 PM

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family & friends. Its sad that he died but look at it this way- He died doing what he loved to do, while he was doing it. "Ride on Sharkey" You Will Be Missed!!

# Brad McNeish

Monday, May 03, 2010 8:55 PM

It is with great sadness that I hear the news of the passing of Andrew "Sharky" MacFarlane. As a former presenter with "The Bike Show" on Briz 31 TV, I had the privilege to meet and interview Andrew on a number of occasions and always considered him a great ambassador for his sport and a very approachable and easy going guy. I was honoured to watch him lead a round of the world MX1 championships at Broadford in front of 1000's of screaming aussie fans and I will treasure the #29 number plate that he signed for me that day. Andrew followed his dreams to ride the world MX championships and came oh so close to being a world champion in the MX2 class. For this alone he should be remembered as one of this country's great riders, but he should also be remembered for being one of the good guys and for just enjoying MX for what it should be...fun. To his family and friends, my condolences, but grieve not for what has been lost,but rejoice for what he won, the respect and admiration of the world's dirt bike family.