Veteran racer killed in Silverstone classic car race
A veteran racing driver from Staffordshire has been killed in crash during a classic car race at Silverstone racetrack.
Denis Welch, 69, was driving in a pre-1966 Grand Prix spectacle when the smash happened.
The race was stopped and Mr Welch was taken to the circuit's medical centre, but medics were unable to save him.
Mr Welch, whose family were pioneers of the combustion engine, served an apprenticeship in Wolverhampton before working at Reginald Tildesley of Walsall as their Rallye sport manager.
In 1977, he and his wife Tina bought their own garage business in Yoxall near Lichfield that became the home of Denis Welch Motorsport, which supplied parts for classic cars.
His name became synonymous with the Austin Healey 3000 with which he won more than 200 major awards in racing events all over Europe.
His most memorable races include three first places in the Grand Prix historique de Monaco race in 2000, 2004 and 2006.
His eldest son Jeremy, himself an accomplished racer, said: "It is a tragic lost and we are all trying to come to terms with it."
A statement issued by the organisers the Historic Sports Car Club said: "It is with great regret that the organisers of the Silverstone Classic have to report that, following an accident in a race for HGPCA pre-66 Grand Prix Cars on Sunday the driver of car number 19, Denis Welch, succumbed to his injuries later in the circuit's medical centre.
"The event organisers, the race organisation, and the circuit's medical and emergency services, will all now be co-operating with the police and the Motor Sports Association, the UK official motor sport governing body, to conduct a full investigation.
"All those involved in the event offer sincere condolences to family and the friends of Denis Welch at this very sad time."
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The Motor Sports Association said Mr Welch's 1960 Lotus 18 clipped another car and rolled over at low speed during the event, organised by the Historic Sports Car Club.
The association added: "The relevant authorities have been informed and a full investigation will be carried out into the incident.
"As with any serious incident in or around UK motor sport, the MSA, the organising club and the circuit operators are now working closely with the police and other agencies to establish precisely what happened.
"The Motor Sports Association, the Historic Sports Car Club and Silverstone extend their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr Welch, a well-known and respected competitor and car preparer."
Mr Welch, who is originally from Essex, sold his motorsport company to his son Jeremy in 2007.
He and his wife retired to a small farm in the Staffordshire Moorlands where they founded Oak Tree Motorsport - a classic cars maintenance, preparation and storage business.
