Vale Andrew McFarlane

Andew spent 27 years riding motocross for factory teams in Australia, Europe and America. He died on May 2 in a practice session crash at Broadford in Victoria.  His funeral on May 17 is expected to be attended by a host of national and international riders including Australia's most successful supercross and motocross champion, Chad Reed, and countryman Michael Byrne who are flying back from the US.

Andrew's greatest achievements were representing Australia seven times in the gruelling Motocross Des Nation and his second place in the world grand prix series in 2005 when he captured four grand prix victories, finishing behind Italian Antonio Cairoli.  "I have a lot of respect for Andrew, he was one of my toughest rivals and his loyalty has been an example to many," said Cairoli.

"He was fast and clean on the track, he was also a great person in his life outside racing. I cannot believe he is no longer with us."  His race cunning earned him the nickname Sharky over his five years of racing in Europe.

He then packed his bags for the US, claiming third in the opening round of the 2006 AMA Outdoor Nationals for the Yamaha of Troy team and seventh overall for the series.  Andrew had two more successful seasons before returning to Australia to again compete in the Aussie motocross and Supercross circuits.

His father and race mechanic in Australia, Ron, said this was to be Andrew's swansong season.  "There was only another two months to go and it would have been all over," he said.  "He was going to manage the team for next year."

Mr McFarlane said the Broadford accident was unusual because his son never pushed hard in practice.  "It wasn't even in qualifying, so he wasn't over-riding," he said.  "He normally takes it easy in practice until he learns the course. Never does he go out there and go flat out in practice.  He's had a few accidents in his career, but nothing major. It was just one of those things."

He said his son's ability to avoid major injuries in his career was due to his high level of fitness.  "He would train as hard as he could. He would be fitter than any of the other riders racing today," he said.

The tributes have flowed in from around the world after the accident.  Yamaha motorsport manager Ray Howard described McFarlane as "dedicated, professional, talented and determined".

"The atmosphere and the look in the riders eyes last Sunday said it all," he said.  "Andrew's death was devastating to all and leaves an un-fillable hole in the motocross landscape."

Veteran racer and team manager Craig Dack said McFarlane would long be remembered as pioneer of Australian motocross and a popular rider within his peers.  "I can still recall that day in Broadford back in 2000 when Andrew took on the world," he said.

"His effort made every Australian at the track stand up and cheer. The first 20 minutes of the opening moto made for one of the best atmospheres I have ever experienced at a motocross event, all because of the efforts of Andrew and his desire to succeed."

McFarlane started racing dirt track in Brisbane at the age of six.  He was second in his first season as an MX senior and was the only person to win 125cc and 250cc class supercross in the same year.

In 1999 he was the Australian MX champion as a privateer with his father as mechanic and the next year he was crowned Australian Supercross Masters champion.  McFarlane was on the podium in the 2000 and 2001 MXGPs at Broadford.  He then spent five years in Europe racing for Yamaha and also raced for KTM and Suzuki factory teams around the world.

His funeral will be held at 11am on May 17 at Cleveland Baptist Church, 240 Broomfield St.  He is survived by his wife, Natalie and young daughter Tayla Rose