Former Suzuki member and current personnel in MotoGP’s International Road-Racing Teams Association (IRTA) Gary McLaren has lost his life in a freak cracker incident in Thailand.
McLaren, 50, was holidaying in Pattaya, Thailand, with fiancee Jasmine, when he died on December 31, 2019, while attempting to burst a cracker outside Miami A GO GO. The cracker exploded on his face, causing an immediate death of the Brit.
As per the police report and witnesses, McLaren tried to burst a 50cm cardboard tube packed fire cracker which didn’t burn at first. In the second attempt, smoke started to blow off as he tried to light it again and it exploded on his face, knocking him down.
Police and medics were called in as they performed chest compressions but he was pronounced dead. McLaren worked with Suzuki MotoGP outfit between 2000 and 2011 as its Data Acquisition Engineer. He then joined IRTA as Tech Staff in January 2013.
McLaren is a well-known personality in the MotoGP paddock as Suzuki stated in a statement: “We are very shocked and sad to learn of the death of Gary McLaren. Gary worked as a Data Acquisition Engineer at Suzuki for 11 years, and remained a good friend to us all while he continued working in the paddock for IRTA.
“Our thoughts with his loved ones, we’ll really miss him!” At the same time, MotoGP added: “Terrible news this morning. Our colleague and friend, Gary McLaren from IRTA passed away last night. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. He will be sorely missed.”
McLaren’s fiancee Jasmine posted on Facebook as well with a picture, where she added: “This is [our] last picture honey, you will be in my heart for ever babe. RIP Gary McLaren.” Bar onwer Mike Cooperman paid his condolences as well:
“I will always remember how happy you were that night. RIP Gary, a good friend and brother. Jasmine please accept our deepest condolences and to his family. If you need anything please let us know.”
From everyone at FormulaRapida.net, we offer our condolences to Gary’s family