Lee pictured at the Ben Fund Bonanza this year Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

LEE RICHARDSON

NEWS Tuesday 15th May 2012, 10:38pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The tragic death of Lee Richardson has affected everyone in speedway and Edinburgh Scotwaste Monarchs add their deepest condolences to his family and friends, while remembering Lee’s appearances at Armadale.

We have awaited today’s return to Edinburgh of BSPA and club chairman Alex Harkess before adding our remembrances.

Alex has said this evening: “This has been a terrible occurrence for everyone in speedway. Lee’s time in the GB setup overlapped with mine at the BSPA and I had the greatest respect for him. I can’t say anything that will make his family and friends feel any better, except that we are thinking of them.”

Lee was one of the safest of riders, stylish and skilful. He rode at Armadale in the early days, in the colours of Reading and also for England Under-21 against Scotland. He was runner-up to David Howe after a run-off when we staged the final of the British Under-21 Championship in 2000.

Our photo is from this year’s Ben Fund Bonanza which Lee had been happy to support.

For most of this century he has been in the top half-dozen UK riders, and his list of honours includes the World Under-21 title (1999) and the Elite League Riders’ Championship in 2003. He has also been a prominent GP and World Cup rider.

In recent seasons he has concentrated on club racing and he was in his fourth year as the star of the Lakeside team.

Their loss is immense though not as much as Lee’s family. His mum and dad were well known in speedway – Colin rode for Eastbourne and Wimbledon, Julie presented Screensport speedway in the late eighties.