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Emmet Nolan R.I.P. (1957 - 1997)
May 2004 - Bronze Memorial unveiled in memory of Emmet Nolan.
On Friday, August 29th 1997, Emmet lost his life taking part in a sport which he loved and indeed to which he devoted a lot of his time and energy.
He was taking part in the Manx Grand Prix on the Isle of Man, as he had done on a few occasions previously.
The details of his death are not terribly clear, but according to one witness,
he apparently lost control at a spot called "Sarahs Cottage", 10 miles into the 37m circuit.
Emmet had started racing back in 1980. He won several competitions, including the Classic Trophy (University Cup) and the Sexton Trophy.
He had a collection of over 50 trophies from all disciplines of motorcycle racing, road racing, short sprints and hill climbing.
At the start of the decade he toured worldwide with Eddie Laycock for Miller Grand Prix Racing and in 1994 and 1995
Emmet himself competed in the very prestigious "Daytona 200" in the U.S.A., riding a very special Yamaha 750 O.W.I.
He accredited himself very well against the very best riders on the planet.
As already stated, Emmet started motorcyle racing in 1980, when he competed in motorcross at Vernon Mount in Cork,
his adopted county. A year later he moved to road racing competing in the classic class on a Norton 750.
In 1984 the Norton took him to victory in one championship and runner up in another.
He then entered the newcomers class at the Manx Grand Prix, where he finished a credible 13th out of a total of 82 competitors.
The following year saw the end of Formula 2 and he now fixed his sights on Formula 1.
He bought a yamaha 750 engine and began to build a bike around it on very limited funds.
He continued in 1988 and his best result came in the Munster 100 where he finished 4th overall.
In 1990 he tackled the Manx Grand Prix but a fall saw the end of his race, and left him with a broken collar bone.
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