When David Jefferies first rode a motorbike at the age of seven, there was little doubt he was going to become a champion.

Following in the rich legacy of father Tony and uncle Nick, David was to become the third member of the motorcycling family to hold aloft the TT trophy, one of road racing's most prestigious prizes.

Since those first trials on a Yamaha TY80, David went on to success after success all over the world, notching up the sort of achievements fitting for the grandson of one of the sport's great pre-war pioneers Allan Jefferies.

Allan was one of the leading lights in international motorsport for many years, beginning a story of success that was to be continued for generations to come.

He raced Triumphs across the world in the 1940s and played a massive role in paving the way for future generations to enjoy the sport.

His son, Tony, also enjoyed success as a rider until he broke his back in an incident at Mallory Park racing circuit, an injury which ended his career and saw him consigned to a wheelchair.

But young David continued in the tracks of his father and grandfather, going on to win the TT trophy and making the Jefferies the most successful family in the history of that most famous of races.

David, whose death has sent shockwaves through British motorsport, was a legend on the Isle of Man and was revered by many for taking on the dangerous circuit at incredible speeds.

His records at the TT will take some beating and it will take a rider of great courage and bravery to match his achievements and the number of titles he has won on the island.

Despite his enormous success in all manner of tournaments, circuits and races, David was very down to earth and always popular among spectators and race organisers alike.

World Cups, Scarborough Cups, Grand Prix - he won them all - but it was always the TT that was particularly special for David and his mother Pauline, who was a time-keeper at the event.

Both Pauline and Tony travelled to many of David's races and proudly watched their son continue the family tradition of riding to win.

The 30-year-old had some of his most impressive successes in the TT, setting records aplenty in the island races as well as scooping the senior, Formula 1 and Production 1000 titles in last year's event.

He was the first rider to complete the TT circuit in under 18 minutes and the only man to have triple TT wins in three consecutive years.

He started motocross at the age of 14 on a Honda CR125 and began his beloved road racing in 1990.

His achievements include a seventh place finish in the 1992 World Cup, winning two British Championships in 1996 and racing to 18 major wins in the 1999 season.

David had already notched up two wins this season in the British Superstock Championship, marking more than a decade of racing achievements.

He performed all over the world for a number of different teams and on a range of bikes from Hondas to Suzukis.

David, who had also notched up wins at the Macau and Ulster GPs, had spoken of a desire to keep on racing for at least "another six years".

Yesterday's accident robbed British motorsport of one of its favourite sons and cruelly ended the life of a rider on an island where he had enjoyed his most breathtaking successes.