Troy Knights remembered as ‘a true bloody legend’ after tragic Gillman Speedway death

The parents of a man killed during a crash at Gillman Speedway have thanked emergency services for trying to save their son, saying he was a “gentle giant”.

A beloved motorbike rider who died after a tragic crash at Gillman Speedway at the weekend has been remembered for his love of racing and helping others.

Rob and Tina Knights said their son Troy, 42, had a heart of gold and would “give you the shirt off his back.”

“He was a gentle giant that would give anything to anybody to help,” Mr Knights said.

“He was outgoing, bubbly, in racing, he was the first there to give you a hand.

“When it came to race season, he was all for it, he loved it, he couldn’t wait to get racing again.”

Troy Knights died after a crash at Gillman Speedway. Picture: Instagram

Troy was competing in the flat track championship at Gillman Speedway on Saturday when he collided with the motorcycle in front of him and was seriously injured.

The Christie Downs man was rushed to hospital but sadly died on Sunday morning.

Mr Knights was at the track that night and expressed his gratitude to the emergency services who helped his son.

“I cannot thank them enough for their support and everything they did,” he said.

Troy Knights. Picture: Instagram

His death has been mourned by loved ones and the speedway community both in South Australia and interstate, including in Mildura, where the family lived until the mid-90s.

Family friend Marg Tegart, who lives in Mildura, said Troy’s love for racing started at a young age and ran in the family.

“Since he was a little tucker, (Troy’s dad) Robbie had them on smaller bikes and things like that, not actually racing … just riding around paddocks,” she said.

“His brother … Dale also rides. They’re a very close-knit family. The three of them would always be together at the racetrack.”

Ms Tegart said the family was well known at the Northwest Victorian Motorcycle Club, where she was also on the committee, and that Troy was “amazing” and “loved by everybody.”

Troy Knights died after a crash at Gillman Speedway. Picture: Instagram

Friend and fellow rider Corey Gates described Troy as a “happy-go-lucky type of guy”.

“He was just a genuine human being, always up for a chat,” he said.

Motorsports teams and riders have also paid tribute to Troy on social media, some sharing his racing number – 672 – alongside his name.

Speedway dirt team, Gumby Motorsport, described him as “a true bloody legend” and “gentleman” which his parents said described him perfectly.

“That’s what he was in a nutshell,” Mr Knights said.

“The outpouring of grief and support means everything to us, it shows how much everyone loves him.”