The death of Mary Shelley last Wednesday evening in a Keighley nursing home ended a 60-year connection with motor sport.

Mary, 79, was the widow of motor sport journalist and former road racer Matt Shelley.

Together the Horsforth couple were a formidable force in national and technical press coverage of all aspects of motor sport.

After a serious track crash at Esholt Park in 1955, Matt was confined to a wheelchair until his death in 1998.

Without Mary’s input, motor sport across the spectrum would have never had the coverage that prevailed. Mary was also a talented operatic singer and well connected in the entertainment industry.

Mary presented Horsforth Motor Club with a commemorative trophy after the death of Matt.

Mary leaves a son Mark, his wife Heather and grandchildren Harriett, Elizabeth and Matthew.