Colin Richardson tribute

A open letter taken from Colin Richardson the former Wimbledon rider who rode in the meeting in which Vic lost his life.

Hi All !

I hope the meeting is a success, Vic was nice guy. Nice people should not be forgotten.
I was riding that night in the 4-team tournament for Wimbledon.
My ex-brother-in-law Steve Weatherley was paralysed in the same accident. It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life.
I was sitting in the changing rooms having finished my rides taking off my leathers and listening to the race start and the bikes going round the crowd cheering then nothing it was just quiet.
One of the riders came in and said that he thought the both of them where really badly injured. I rushed out on to the track the carnage was terrible and the rest is known.
The rest of the night we spent at Whipps Cross Hospital I can remember when the ambulance arrived with Vic's body was terrible, his poor family.
Steve had survived but he was paralysed at that time from the neck down.
I can still remember that night in the waiting room at Whipps Cross both Vic's family and Steve’s all in shock.
I asked Steve many years afterwards if he regretted racing seeing the way he ended up being paralysed and in a wheel chair, he said no he loved racing and would do it again if he could tomorrow.
My son Lee was born about a month before the accident..........and now he is racing..........
I cant be there I am working in the Middle East but I wish them all well for the meeting.
Two really good guys who gave a lot to give entertainment to others and a sport they both loved.
We should never forget their sacrifice.
Colin Richardson