Photo tribute for crash victim

A rally co-driver killed in a crash is to be specially commemorated at the sport’s most important event.

Safety cars involved in the British leg of the World Rally Championship will each carry a photograph of Wolverhampton driver Ray Lloyd.

The 56-year-old enthusiast died this month when the car he was being driven in spun and rolled over less than a mile from the start of an event in Holland. His wife Sally, today spoke for the first time about the tragedy.

Mrs Lloyd was waiting at a nearby service area when disaster struck on her 55th birthday. 

The mother-of-one, married for 37 years, said at her home in Penn: “It was horrific but it was a freak accident and I do not blame anybody for it. I loved rallying as much as he did. We both knew the risks. You assume it is never going to happen but unfortunately it has.

“I am devastated. He was the love of my life and I hoped to have another 30 years with him. We as a family can look back on fantastic memories but have no idea how we are going to carry on functioning.

“Ray started competing again in rallies last year for the first time in 15 years and I was pleased that he did.

“It is a very nice gesture that the safety car team in the British round of the World Rally Championship are to have a photograph and special tribute to him on all their vehicles.”

Ray started in the sport more than 30 years ago and has been involved with the annual running of the British leg of the World Rally championship – currently called the Wales Rally GB – for the past 20 years.

He was due to be part of the safety car team for the event in Cardiff on November 29. He joined Wolverhampton and South Staffs Car Club in 1975 and was their vice president.

Ray retired from his job as a manager with Severn Trent Water a year ago.

An inquest has been opened into his death and his funeral service will take place at 1pm on Tuesday at St Bartholomew’s Church, Penn, where he was married. This will be followed by a celebration of his life at the Park Hall Hotel.