The Australian racing community is paying tribute to Warren Monson, an accomplished and respected member of the speedway sidecar racing community, who died at a drag racing event east of Bendigo on Sunday.
Mr Monson was a Victorian-based racer, whose highlights included winning the coveted FIM Speedway Sidecar World Cup and FIM Oceania Speedway Sidecar Championships along with nine Victorian Title wins.
The 48-year-old died when he lost control of his motorbike during a Test & Tune event at the Heathcote Park Raceway in Knowsley, east of Bendigo.
WorkSafe is investigating the incident.
Friends and motorcycle clubs have taken to social media to pay tribute.
"Words can't describe the sadness of the news we have been dealt today. We have lost our greatest ever Sidecar racer today in Warren Monson," the Mildura Motorcycle Club said.
Motorcycling Australia also posted heartfelt words and photos to social media.
It said his passion for racing led him to become involved in various categories from speedway to dry lake racing and road racing, where he worked as a race engineer and mechanic for multiple ASBK Champions.
Monson was well-known for his expert work with Shawn Giles, Troy Herfoss, Josh Waters, Markus Chiodo and especially Wayne Maxwell, who he followed from Suzuki to Yamaha.
"He was a true old-school craftsman and a talented rider, building and racing his own bikes, keeping his sidecar outfit at his parents' house in Mildura," Motorcycle Australia said.
Hot rodders hurting
In another post, the International Hot Rod Association Australia said it was saddened by Mr Monson's death.
The post said both the association and the Heathcote Park Raceway were cooperating with investigations into the incident.
"We will provide an update pending the outcome of the investigation," the post said.
Mr Monson's death is not being treated as suspicious. The Test & Tune event was cancelled following the tragedy.
