Preparations are under way for a day of banger racing to remember a 'true racing legend'.

Ian Tracey, of Melbourne Avenue, Newington, passed away aged 52, after battling kidney failure for more than five years.

He was better known as Dicky and had been banger racing for more than 25 years both alone and with his son Karl.

His race number was 222 and Mr Tracey was very well known at Dover Raceway due to his dedication to the racing scene.

The father-of-three competed in many formulas including National Bangers and the Bangerstox division.

“He was a legend on and off the track and a true gentleman..." Karl Kelly

His wife, Maria Kelly, and three sons, Brad, 17, Karl, 22, and Craig, 25, set up a race meeting at Dover Raceway on June 26, to honour his memory.

The memorial event takes place on the Unlimited Banger Kent Championship Sunday and will begin at 1pm.

Prices are £10 for adults, £5 for under-14s, £6 for OAP’s and under-5s go free.

Karl Kelly, who will be racing on June 26, said: “I am doing the memorial meeting in memory of my dad as we used to race side by side but sadly it can never happen again.

“This race meeting is my personal way of saying one final farewell to my best friend.”

The family also paid tribute to a ‘gentleman’ and a ‘best friend’.

Mr Kelly added: “From a young age I had a strong bond with my dad.

“We were inseparable and we had such a strong bond, we were not just father and son we were best friends.

“He was a legend on and off the track and a true gentleman.

“I knew he was well-loved and well-known but I never realised how much until now.

“I have so much to thank him for and he has made me the man I am today.

“Not only was he a racing legend he was one of the best family men you could ask for.”

Mr Tracey had a heart attack and fell while getting into the shower and ended up in hospital for eight weeks before passing away in April.

Before the fall however he battled his illness and rather than give up what he loved the most Dicky changed from full contact racing to no contact and managed to race alongside his son once again.

Friend Abby Jones has set up a memorial fund for Dicky’s funeral that takes place on Thursday, May 12.

She said: “I set up this campaign to raise as much money as possible to put towards his funeral to give him the send off he truly deserves.

“So many people that knew and loved Dicky have contributed already.

“His family supported him from the moment he was ill and in return I would like to give them something to show them how dedicated they have been to him through it all.

“He was a legend and deserves to be remembered that way.”

More than £700 has already been pledged and the page can be found here.