Everyone connected with the Bennetts British Superbike Championship is saddened to hear of Keith Farmer’s untimely passing at the age of just 35.
The ‘Clogher Bullet’ was a multiple title-winner within the Bennetts BSB support classes and was a respected and deeply popular rider across the paddock. He announced his retirement from the sport only last year.
Keith celebrated title success for the first time in 2011, claiming the National Superstock 600 Championship title as a privateer with a campaign that included seven podiums, six of those being race wins. His performance on track led him to be head-hunted by Paul Bird and he joined the PBM line-up for the next season as he progressed into the Superstock 1000 series.
Keith delivered his second consecutive title victory in 2012, having quickly adapted to more powerful machinery, and five wins and a further three podiums secured him the championship win.
As reigning champion in the Superstock 1000 class, he was elevated into Bennetts BSB with PBM, but after achieving a best result of fourth he parted ways with the team. He returned to the Superbike class a year later where he claimed his first and only main category podium in tricky conditions at Brands Hatch with the PR Racing team.
Keith then turned his attention back to the support classes, competing in both the British Supersport and National Superstock Championships.
His time with the Appleyard/Macadam team in 2017 proved to be a winning combination as they celebrated title victory after nine wins and a further five podiums, impressively making him a champion across three different classes.
In 2018, Keith joined the Tyco BMW team and he superbly claimed a second National Superstock 1000 Championship title.
A year later Keith was back on the BSB grid with the Tyco BMW team, but a mid-season injury curtailed his campaign. He then switched to Buildbase Suzuki a year later. In the past two years, Keith made occasional appearances in both the Superstock and Superbike classes, before he officially announced his retirement from the sport in 2021.
Keith will be terribly missed by all that had the pleasure of meeting him throughout his career. He was a brilliant and successful rider on track, who will be fondly remembered by his rivals, colleagues and fans following today’s tragic news.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with his friends and family members and in particular his children. Rest in peace Keith.