A long-serving figure in the local motor sport scene has died at the age of 93.
Eric Rathmell died in the early hours of Tuesday morning, at Harrogate District Hospital.
He was a life member of the Ilkley Motor Club and Clerk of Course for the Ilkley Grand National and New Year Trials for three decades.
A skilled trials rider in his heyday at national level, and also a talented motorcycle engineer Eric Rathmell was service manager at Harrogate dealing in Rolls Royce, Bentley and Jaguar cars.
He prepared machines for Otley’s Tony Cook, racing machines for Barry Robinson. His humour and wit persisted and was undiminished despite suffering a serious illness four years ago.
No funeral arrangements have been made at this stage.
Mr Rathmell lived at Cherry Tree Cottage at Timble for more than 50 years and then moved to Bishop Thornton, near his son Malcolm, who was former international trials rider, European champion, and now British importer, with his wife Rhoda, of Sherco motorcycles.
He is survived by his two sons Malcolm and Gerald and several grandchildren.
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