Flying Finn: Stephen Davison’s tribute to the man & the legend
The Finn in full flight.
In his new title, Flying Finn, Stephen Davison charts the spectacular career of Martin Finnegan, one of Ireland’s most colourful and successful road racers.
Finnegan scored podium finishes at all of the world’s top road race meetings and won the Irish Senior championship. The 28 year old Lusk, Co Dublin rider burst on to the scene with a spectacular riding style that attracted a huge following of loyal fans. Finnegan became Irish champion in 2004 before stepping on to the podium at all of the world’s major road races. Tragically this great promise was cut short when the most successful southern Irish racer in a generation was to lose his life in a racing crash at the Tandragee 100 in May 2008.
Flying Finn, the new book by Martin’s close friend and foremost road racing photographer, Stephen Davison, captured Martin’s rise to fame and his tragic demise.Enjoying privileged and unprecedented access, Davison recorded the highs and lows of Finnegan’s career.In over 150 images, accompanied by perceptive and often moving text, the road racing’s principal chronicler has documented Martin’s rise to prominence and the pain of his family following his death.
Drawn in by his easy going nature and brilliance on a bike, Martin and I became good friends. He wanted to win races and catch headlines and I wanted to capture the best racing images that I could. We travelled the world together living the road racing life to the full, racing and photographing it in the same way.’ Stephen Davison Road racing has never been far from controversy, often making the headlines not only for the excitement generated by the racing but for the tragedies that often occur in the world’s most dangerous sport. The images of Martin with his devoted family and their heartfelt words describing their sense of loss following his passing examine the human tragedy behind these headlines ‘“Good luck to you now and take your time.” I always said that to Martin before he went to race. It always made him laugh.’ Martin’s Mother, Margaret
Davison, hailed by MCN as ‘the world’s Number One pure road racing lensman’, is the author of Joey Dunlop: King of the Roads, Beautiful Danger, Ragged Edge, Robert Dunlop: The Life and Times of a Legend (joint) and Hard Roads which have sold over 80,000 copies to date.
Martin Finnegan Day 2009 The official launch of Flying Finn was held during a special day dedicated to the memory of Martin Finnegan and his ability and passion for road racing. Each day had a full line up of Martin’s race bikes, mini moto replicas of the machines and a special photographic exhibition highlighting Martin’s spectacular career was displayed. The author, Stephen Davison, was in attendance to sign copies.The Finnegan family attended both events, held in St MacCullin's Round Tower Church, Lusk Village, Co. Dublin on Saturday 3 October, and Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim on Sunday 11 October . Flying Finn is available now through all major bookshops and www.blackstaffpress.com, RRP £17.99.
MARTIN FINNEGAN& ROBERT DUNLOP - It is with the most profound regret that we at www.NW200.com reported the loss of two of our most the sports true gentlemen in 2008, friends Martin Finnegan and Robert Dunlop; both were ultimate road-racing sportsmen and human beings .
Martin, from Lusk, Co.Dublin, lost his life at the 600cc race at Tandragee on Saturday May 3rd 2008. Robert, from Ballymoney, Co.Antrim, lost his life in the 250cc practice at the NW200 on Friday May 16th 2008
Our sincere condolences and prayers go out to their family, friends and the thousands that appreciated their gifts. Go neiri an bothar Martin and Robert, RIP.
Right - Skerries 100 2005 - Martin had a great day, clearing the trophy table. RIP
