Rally driver killed in race

A LEADING British rally racer has died after he was struck by another competitor's car during the 37th Granite City Rally in Aberdeenshire.

Co-driver Graham Lewis, who finally won his first race last month in Crail after 35 years of finishing close to the top spot, was killed when he and driver Stuart Nubie got out of their Subaru Impreza. The car had gone into a ditch and caught fire half-way through the event at about 12:15pm on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Lewis, from Cheshire, died from multiple injuries after the accident at Clashindarroch Forest, near Rhynie.

Organisers immediately cancelled the rally, which had attracted around 80 competitors from across the UK. Rally driver John Marshall, a friend of Mr Lewis, said: "He reckoned as soon as you put on the overalls and helmet, part of the thrill is being on the edge all the time. He realised accidents can happen."

Mr Marshall said he and his friends in the racing circuit were planning a special memorial to Mr Lewis, who was married with two daughters.