A PERSONAL tribute has been paid to world class motorcyclist Lew Coffin.

Grass track ace Lew, who was instrumental in rejuvenating the Weymouth Speedway scene, passed away aged 93 last year.

His good friend Peter Trevett, 81, of Weymouth, who rode grass track for 60 years, said Lew was his inspiration.

Leigh resident Lew was a talent on the grass track and would ride speedway internationally regularly beating the best, but was keen to help youngsters get into the sport, Peter said.

"He rejuvenated the speedway scene in Weymouth, he came down and took it over with a view to using it as a training track to teach youngsters the sport.

"Lew was an inspiration to my son Mike."

The friendship between the two men went back more than 30 years with John getting his first glimpse of Lew as he was surrounded by adoring fans at a race meet.

"Lew was very fast and we were huge friends. He always used to say 'you'll never catch me''.

"I worshipped him. When I was young he was my hero."

Stocky Lew was just over 5ft tall but was mightily resilient on the race track and very strong.

Above all else Lew wanted to win, former architect Peter said.

"He was a quite remarkable man. They threw the mould away when they made him. You didn't want to cross him.

"One time I put one over him and went around the outside to overtake him. In the next race I remember his boot hit my back wheel!

"He always wanted to win. Second wasn't good enough for him."

At home with his wife Betty, Lew would be surrounded by trophies.

His faithful engine tuner was Nelson Harring, who worked with Lew until his death.

Popular Lew celebrated his 80th birthday at Yeovil Ski Centre with 500 people from all over the world. The celebration included a special This Is Your Life, compered by commentator Dave Stallworthy.

The insight book The Lew Coffin Story by Cyril May charts the incredible Lew's life story.

At the age of 16 Lew began working on his father's farm at Hillfield, near Cerne Abbas and at weekends he would head to the Blackmore Vale Club's Cannfield circuit at Shaftesbury and watch stars of the track.

It was in 1946 when Lew first bought a bike. Unfortunately it blew up at its next meeting! He was soon doing the merry round of grass-tracks and won all nine of the nine races he took part in.

Becoming a regular performer at the Bristol track Lew delighted the crowds but received a letter from the Speedway Control Board for his daredevil behaviour.

In 1955 he got married to Betty King at Yetminster Church. As the newly-weds left the church they walked under an archway of exhaust pipes complete with two crash helmets.

The very next day Lew raced at Dunkeswell in the South Western Centre, securing the 350 c.c and unlimited c.c. events.

Lew was a true pal to the novices and would teach them to ride. He was often seen at the pits entrance with his eyes sparkling with admiration and satisfaction.

Come 1957 Lew was still competing against youngsters like Fred Parkins and Barry Briggs. And he was still winning.

He competed at the Hallsburgh track near Minden in Germany and an attendance of 40,000 saw him finish second to Joe Hoffmeister in the 350 class. In the big event, the 500 open, Lew was the outright winner and said it was the greatest moment of his life.

*Next week we'll be looking at more memories of speedway ace Lew.

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