Updated: TRIBUTES have been paid to a motorsport champion from York who was killed while taking part in a sidecar race in Leicestershire.

Dave Wells - described as “one of the good guys” of the sport - died in hospital after the accident during the first day of the 16th International World Sidecar festival at Mallory Park on Saturday.

He was a passenger in a sidecar ridden by his racing partner Roy Hanks in a Formula 2 class race for 600cc motorcycles when the tragedy happened at about 1pm.

An investigation has now been launched, although the venue’s general manager said “mechanical failure” was believed to be to blame and Mr Wells’ death was not due to problems with track safety.

Mr Wells, thought to be from Dringhouses, was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary following the accident but died from his injuries.

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

Ten-time sidecar world champion Steve Webster, from Easingwold, who has now retired from the sport, said he was shocked at the news.

He said: “I had known Dave for about 30 years, all through my career, and he was a great help to me when I started out in racing.

“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.

“To go on as long as he has in the sport, when most people would have thought about retiring, just shows how dedicated he was.”

John Ward, general manager at Mallory Park, which is between Leicester and Hinckley, 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.