A MOTORSPORT enthusiast from Kent was killed and his brother injured after a pile-up during a sidecar racing event.

Shocked friends have paid tribute to Symon Wall, 35, who died at the trackside after the accident on Sunday.

The Rochester biker was killed when a Finnish racer tragically collided with his machine while they were competing in a 1000cc sidecar event in Prattling, Germany.

Symon was with his brother Chris and two other Kent racers, Rob Wilson, from Headcorn, and Duncan Tolhurst, from Boughton Monchelsea, when the tragedy happened.

The four were racing in Germany where the financial rewards for winning races are better than those in England.

The initial collision was between a Finnish rider and Symon, but Tolhurst’s machine, with Chris Wall as passenger, was also involved.

Chris and Symon’s passenger, Ben Goddard, were taken to hospital but not detained.

Symon was also a passionate footballer who became a well-known and popular non-league player for Snodland on Saturdays and for the Luton, Chatham, team Quested in the Medway Messenger Sunday League.

Sidecar fan Lionel Barlow, from Cranbrook, said: "Although this was his first year of driving, he was an experienced and well-respected driver. There really isn’t anything you can do when another driver collides with you on the track."

Quested secretary Pat McGurn was shocked at the news and paid tribute to a "talented player".

Mr McGurn said: “He was an absolutely lovely bloke and when I heard the news I was totally devastated.

"He’s been part of our success and I know a lot of the lads will be totally shocked because he was so popular and such a great laugh."

It is thought that Symon leaves a wife and three children.