I still can't get my head around this... Kemal was fatally injured on the 3rd day of the TransAnatolia Rally, while stopped with another Italian at an intersection to check the roadbook, An 18yr old Dutch competitor rammed them from behind because of the dust... Unfortunately the Dutch rider (i don't know who he his yet) also passed away... Turkish news article Google translation: Eaton Eskişehirsporlu Bahtiyaroğlu'nun footballer's death was 3 days, a Turkish sport has lost more than the name. "Desert Tiger" Kemal Merkit motorcycle racer dubbed the 52-year-old this year, was killed in a traffic accident in 3rd Rally of the Transanatolia. Factor in the accident, Kemal Merkit'e not get rid of the Dutch athletes. Meke morning, shortly after the start of stage direction to find a Turkish biker Kemal Merkit an Italian motorcyclist, stopped to investigate aspects. In the meantime, as-yet-unidentified 18-year-old Dutch athlete coming from behind hit the Kemal Merkit'e. Merkit with the Dutch athletes were killed at the scene. Italian motorcyclist escaped with minor injuries in the incident light. At the start of the Rally, not 3 days ago...
..another great one gone, RIP Kemal Si Pavey will be extremely saddened I'm sure, having become friends with him on recent Dakar's. Very sad.
Unfortunately guys, We've lost a very precious special person this morning... That is a huge loss for me, we had met in 1995 when I was a young lad. He was one of my figures not as a motorcyclist only, his approach to people, life and sport. Accident happened during the stage. Merkit & other biker had stopped for navigation and another vehicle; not confirmed yet a car or motorbike, hit them. They died immediately. Our friends were also in the event ; Trafo Rally Raid Team, they arrived to scene soon and were shocked... No more words to say...
The most authentic man and competitor I've ever met. A guide to me. Died helping someone else, as he was always doing.
Latest update of Names; Wouter Vaarkamp had hit Merkit and both them lost their lives on accident scene... The Italian guy whom Kemal has stopped to help him has some minor injuries...
So true.. I met Kemal last year in Serres, it was my first rally, we rode the prologue together and he was always checking to see if I was doing OK, also taught me how to shortcut turns and adjust at the same time... I stopped where he fell on the 3rd day, he had broken his collarbone and Selçuk was already with him, I still remember the smile in his helmet when I offered him some food, "No thank you, you will need it more than me" Such a sad sad loss
Sincere condolences to Kemals family and his good friends; both from within the close knit malle moto/rally world and via here at ADV/F5... By all accounts, we lost a true gentlemen, champion spirit and a great ambassador of what the "spirit of rally raid" epitomises. Also condolences to the young Dutch riders family and friends... a terrible tragedy all around.
This is so sad, I cannot believe it Kemal was such a nice guy, we had the honour of having him as a competitor last year, and he was kind enough to trust us to come. A true hero of Rally! May he rest in peace and always keep smiling like he did Αντίο φίλε Κεμάλ
I am so sad, have nothing to say. Whole motorcycling community here in Turkiye is in shock., We lost our "Kemal Abi"...
R.I.P Kemal Merkit, there is no words to say , so upset , so sorry , still not believe , reading news again and again , can not believe he has gone
Very sad to hear about Kemal passing... My thoughts are with all the family members of both Kemal and the young boy who hit him...
I hadn't met him but everyone who had held him in great respect not only as a rider but as a wonderful person as well. I just found out and I'm shocked, I thought he was bullet-proof (remember his fall on the previous Dakar?) but this comes as a reminder that we are all very fragile on our bikes. RIP Kemal...
