LAKE LIDDELL SPEEDWAY TRAGEDY

NSW Police have confirmed a man died in a motorcycle crash at Liddell Speedway near Muswellbrook on Friday night, January 20.

He was sidecar passenger Don Morris aged 64.

About 7pm emergency services were called to the speedway venue on Hebden Road where two men had crashed their sidecar.

Darren Cafe, 58, was the rider who sustained serious leg injuries in the accident. He was treated on the scene by track medics and NSW Ambulance paramedics before the Westpac Rescue Helcopter airlifted him to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

Officers from Hunter Valley police district established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

It is alleged Mr Morris may have had a medical episode and then died at the scene.

The Kurri Kurri Speedway, the track closest in location to Lake Liddell Speedway, released the following statement.

“The Kurri Kurri Speedway Club is saddened to hear of the passing of Don Morris. Don was a stalwart of the sidecar division of speedway motorcycle racing. He gave many years of his life to the sport. The Kurri Kurri Speedway Club extends its sincere condolences to his family and friends.”

Speedway Illustrated News website correspondent Mark Neale offered the following analysis covering the career of the late Don Morris:

“He won the 2015 WA Sidecar Championship swinging for Russell Mitchell and I think he rode in a few Australian titles.

“He swung for Darren Cafe in 2008 at Gillman Speedway and they scored four points and finished eleventh. He had been around the speedway scene for years and later moved to New South Wales.”

The operators of this website, on behalf of all involved in speedway, send since condolences and deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the late Don Morris.

RIP: Don Morris.

DOB: 31 May, 1958

Passed away: January 20, 2023.

Age 64.

Photo courtesy : Mark Neale.