A CHAMPION sidecar racer from Kent died when he was thrown from his machine as it overturned at a circuit.

Lester Goodwin, 35, from Tonbridge, was fatally injured during a grass track and sidecar event in High Easter, near Chelmsford in Essex.

Mr Goodwin, who was driving a motorbike and sidecar in a 500cc sidecar race on Sunday, is believed to have been struck by at least one other racer.

He was airlifted to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow where he was pronounced dead. His sidecar rider, a 29-year-old from Maidstone, suffered a broken leg. Two other racers from Chatham were also injured in the race.

Rob Wilson, from Headcorn, who races 1000cc sidecars, said Mr Goodwin had been a British 500cc sidecar champion six times. He also represented Britain at many events abroad.

Mr Wilson added: "I did not know him that well but he always had a smile on his face and he loved his racing."

Mr Goodwin, who was a roofer by trade, was married with two children.

Essex Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash to contact them.