TRIBUTES have been paid to a motorsport champion who was killed while taking part in a sidecar race yesterday.

Dave Wells, from York, died in hospital after the accident during the first day of the 16th International World Sidecar festival, in Leicestershire.

Described as “one of the good guys”, 61-year-old Mr Wells was a passenger in a sidecar ridden by his racing partner Roy Hanks.

They were taking part in a Formula 2 class race for 600cc motorcycles, at Mallory Park, near Hinckley, when the tragedy happened at about 1pm.

An investigation has been launched. Mr Wells was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, but died from his injuries.

He was a former winner of sidecar races at the world-famous TT competition on the Isle of Man.

Ten-time sidecar world champion Steve Webster, from Easingwold, said he was shocked at the news.

He said: “We all know it is a dangerous sport, but when somebody as experienced as Dave is taking part, you don’t expect something like this to happen.

"He was one of the good guys - he was always smiling and he loved his racing.”

John Ward, general manager at Mallory Park, said the sport had lost a “great character”.

He added: “It is with great regret that we have to announce the tragic loss of one of sidecar racing’s heroes.”

Mr Hanks, from Birmingham, suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Leicestershire Police said they had attended the track after the accident, but the investigation was now in the hands of Mallory Park’s owners and the Health and Safety Executive.