Man dies during classic trial
Driver dies and passenger injured during off-road hill-climb event
Tributes have been paid to a pensioner who died during a classic hill-climb event earlier this month.
Named locally as 66-year-old Colin Butt, the driver died after his 1984 Marlin kit car tipped over during the Exeter Trial on 7 January. The open-top car was tackling the tricky Wooston Steep Hill in Devon and is believed to have nearly made it to the top before his car rolled back down, collided with an adjacent bank and tipped over. Mr Butt and his passenger were thrown from the car. The passenger, believed to be in his 30s, escaped with a minor arm injury.
Comments online describe Butt as a ‘one of the nicest blokes you could hope to meet’ and someone who ‘genuinely loved his racing.’
Tim Swietochowski, head of communications at the Motor Sports Association says: ‘We can confirm that one competitor has died and another was injured in an incident on the Motor Cycling Club (MCC) Exeter Trial.
‘As with all serious incidents in or around UK motorsport, the MSA is now working with the event-organising club and the police to establish precisely what happened on this occasion.
‘ The MSA sends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and offers the injured competitor its very best wishes for a full recovery.’
Philippa Thompson, media services officer for Devon and Cornwall Police adds: ‘Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.’
Close to 300 cars and bikes were competing in the 88th major running of the event, which is organised by the Motor Cycling Club. From three starting locations, competitors took on 14 hills throughout Friday (6 January) night and during Saturday.
‘The MSA is working with the club and police to establish what happened’ TIM SWIETOCHOWSKI, MSA
Witnesses to the incident are asked to call the Exeter Serious Collision Investigation by telephone on 101, quoting log number 367.