Stockcar racer dies in accident at mildenhall Stadium
Steve Newman
A STOCKCAR racer has been killed in an accident at Mildenhall Stadium.
Steve Newman, 36, of Spalding, died on Saturday as he competed in the British Stockcar Championship Final.
Dave Coventry owner of Mildenhall Stadium said that Mr Newman’s car was involved in a multi-car pile-up after it rolled, ending up on its roof in the path of other competitors.
The collision happened on the sixth lap of the race, which started at 10.20pm.
Despite receiving medical treatment from paramedics Mr Newman was declared dead at the scene.
Mr Coventry said: “It’s devastating the only consolation we could have in this is that it’s rare and that our team here performed very well on the night under the circumstances and did the best that was humanly possible.”
Mr Coventry said that both weather conditions and the track were ideal for racing on Saturday night and described Mr Newman as an experienced driver who was well known and well liked.
Mr Newman raced for Team Newman with members of his family, at the time of the accident he was in seventh position in the 34 car race.
RDC Promotions, who organised the event, has extended its heartfelt condolences to his family, including his two young children.
In a tribute to Mr Newman published on their website, RDC Promotions described him as: “An uncompromising, tough, often ruthless racer but always entertaining, his no nonsense, take no prisoners style of racing earned him many fans, and rivals, over the years and you could always guarantee that when the familiar looking 311 saloon stockcar was on the raceway action would follow.”
Events planned at the stadium on Sunday were cancelled as a sign of respect.
Mr Coventry said: “I felt it was the right thing to do - it did not feel right to continue.”
Mr Coventry said that in the 20 years he had been at Mildenhall Stadium no-one had suffered serious injuries and deaths in the sport were uncommon.
The Oval Racing Council will launch an investigation into the accident, however this will not effect fixtures organised at the stadium.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
