News 6 Apr 2009

The Go: Judd Greedy Tribute

MotoOnline.com.au editor Alex Gobert's tribute to Judd Greedy, who passed away following an incident while leading Australian Supersport in Tasmania.

MotoOnline.com.au is saddened to report the tragic passing of Australian Supersport Championship contender Judd Greedy following an incident during race one of the second round of the 2009 series. We here extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Judd – the greatest supporters of his dream to become world champion. MotoOnline.com.au editor Alex Gobert penned this tribute from Tasmania and it’s only now that we find it fit to post the tribute after his death has been officially announced.

Judd Greedy: 14 September 1980 - 5 April 2009

Judd Greedy: 14 September 1980 - 5 April 2009

Fast, fit, and supremely confident, Judd Greedy was in the best form of his career at the time of his devastating accident in Tasmania.

Equally leading the championship with Yamaha’s Bryan Staring after Phillip Island’s opening round, Judd was repeating his same form at Symmons – leading the way at the time of his accident coming out of turn three in the early stages of the race.

Judd made his way into the lead just before his accident, and I found myself with a smile on my face as I love to cheer for the underdog. Being a privateer and leading the likes of experienced factory riders Jamie Stauffer, Bryan Staring, and Ben Attard is a phenomenal feat that should never be underestimated.

As we have had to reflect on far too many times in recent years, Judd was competing in the sport he loved at the time of his death and his success in the early stages of 2009 (highlighted by his first ever Supersport race victory) had finally seen him realise his true potential as one of Australia’s best road racers.

Determination has been key in Judd’s results so far this year, with his privateer effort with the support of Trinder Brothers Racing and Sunstate Racing only confirmed just weeks before the first round. Not deterred, his results spoke for themselves.

But it will be his larrikin ways off the track that most will remember him for, building many great friendships with fellow teams and competitors in the ASBK paddock in his lengthy racing career.

In fact, Judd began racing dirt bikes at 10 and soon switched to the black top, competing in everything from 125GP, to Harley Sportster Racing, and even Superbike racing – all by the age of 28 years old.

His friendly demeanour off-track made him not only popular at the races, but also a top sales man as the business manager of Sunstate Motorcycles on the Sunshine Coast.

Judd Greedy at Symmons Plains last weekend. All Photography: Keith Muir

Judd Greedy at Symmons Plains last weekend. All Photography: Keith Muir

While testing with Australian Motorcycle News at the inaugural AUStest last year he was a pleasure to work with for both myself and the entire magazine staff, gracious to be a part of motorcycling on an even greater scale.

Judd earned that position by running as the top privateer in last year’s Supersport championship, a title which he eventually won while giving the factory backed teams a real shake up along the way.

A sign of his politeness was never more obvious than when he reminded me over six months after the test that we never did send him the magazines that he featured in, and he was so grateful that when we did finally send them that he called up to thank us for them as soon as they arrived.

It’s moments like that that Judd will always be loved and remembered for, helping newcomers into the sport and welcoming each individual to the sport that he absolutely lived for.

I might not have the enjoyment of chatting away to him on Facebook while he’s at work during the day and I’m doing my media work any longer, but his memory will forever live on as everybody pays their respects to a truly nice human being and sensational motorcycle racer.

God speed, Judd. You will be missed by all who were lucky enough to meet you along your journey.

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