The death of a motorcycle racer from Kent killed during practice for the Manx Grand Prix has been recorded as “misadventure”.

Tim Moorhead, from Whitstable, died after losing control of his bike on a 100mph corner on the mountain section of the course last August.

An inquest into the 50-year-old’s death was held today at Douglas courthouse on the Isle of Man.

“Mr Moorhead died doing what he loved and knew the risks involved,” the BBC reported coroner Jayne Hughes as saying.”

Mr Moorhead was one of three riders to die at last year's Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, which incorporates the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix.

His wife Sheila admitted she had feared Tim would be involved in an accident ever since he took up motorcycling and started racing.

Speaking after his death, she said: “Tim has been racing bikes for over five years and he has raced on the Isle of Man for the past two.

“He absolutely loved racing and said he felt most alive when he raced.

“I always feared that this day might come but because I loved him I tried to support him as best I could in something he loved with such a passion.”

Mr Moorhead had two sons, Feargal, 18, and Daniel, 29, was stepfather to Sheila’s two daughters Rachel, 27, and Rebekah, 24, and step-grandfather to Rachel’s five-year-old daughter Holly.

Sheila said: “He was the most energetic person I have ever had the fortune to meet and was so full of life. I often felt I could never keep up with him.

“He was also a very humble person who played down his achievements and was a source of inspiration and encouragement to those around him.

“He firmly believed that you could achieve what you wanted as long as you believed in yourself.”

Tim worked as a carpenter at Canterbury Christ Church University for 10 years before he began studying law at the University of Reading.

After gaining his PhD two years ago he lectured part-time at the university and at the University of Kent, where he helped students with personal as well as course problems.