In the midst of a city's outpouring of grief over George Best, there was a smaller but, within the confines of international motor sport, equally emotional pause for reflection in Belfast on Friday night, when it was announced that Richard Burns had succumbed to the effects of a brain tumour at the age of 34.
Burns was the last British world rally champion and those at the Champions of Motor Sport dinner in Belfast did not need reminding that the Englishman had won 10 major championship rallies on his way to achieving international recognition in such a highly competitive sport.
RIP