Motorcycle tribute to Ben Gautrey planned for Ormskirk MotorFest 2012

A POIGNANT tribute to a teenage motorbike racer who died last year will take place at this year's Ormskirk MotorFest.

Lorraine Gautrey, mother of 18-year-old Southport rider Ben Gautrey, who was involved in a fatal crash at the Cadwell Park circuit last August, said that motorbikes - including a replica of Ben's machine - will take part in the parade to highlight a charity established in his honour.

She said: "The parade will not only be a really nice tribute to Ben, almost a year to the day after we lost him, but it will also help to highlight the work of the Ben Gautrey Foundation.

"The foundation will support sport from grassroots level and will promote the sports in which Ben was so passionate about."

She added that there will also be a stand at the MotorFest to promote the work of the charity, which was set up shortly after Ben, from Southport, died last year. Volunteers for the charity will be able to talk about Ben and the work his life has inspired, and will also sell wristbands and other items to raise money.

Among the machines which will be ridden around the MotorFest parade circuit, which takes in a series of streets around Ormskirk town centre specially closed off for the event, will be a replica of the 600cc Gearlink Kawasaki, pictured, on which Ben rode his final race at Cadwell Park on August 29 last year, and an Aprillia 125cc motorbike which Ben also raced.

Charity supporter Alasdair Croft, who took part in last year's MotorFest, said:

"It's a fabulous idea, and I hope that the stand and the parade at the event will really help to highlight the foundation and what we're aiming to do.

"Coming from a motorsport background, I think it's something that will really capture people's imagination and I'm very keen to see it happen."

The Ormskirk MotorFest will take place in Ormskirk town centre and Coronation Park on Sunday, August 26. For more information about the Benjamin Gautrey Foundation visit the charity's website online.

Entries for this year's Ormskirk MotorFest are now being accepted. To get your classic car or bike involved head to the event's official website.