THE family of an experienced motorbike racer were at the trackside when he died in a crash at the weekend.

Malcolm Sims, 55, of Trowbridge, had helped organise the Bath Classic Motorcycle Club event, in Yatton Keynell, near Chippenham on Sunday.

Mr Sims was competing in the classic scramble event when he crashed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Club scrambles secretary Derek Daniels said: "Malcolm had been a Bath Classic member for many years and was a very experienced rider. He helped set the track up the day before.

"He worked to get everything ready.

"His wife and family were at the meeting as well.

"He was only telling us before the meeting that his family were all there. He was always at events with his wife.

"Both his daughters and his grandchildren were supposed to be coming and his father as well.

"It must have been terrible for them to see that in front of them."

Mr Daniels said the club was devastated at the loss of one of their stalwart members.

He said: "He was always a loyal member, one of the boys.

"It was hard for everyone there, it's not like he was a stranger, so many people there would have known him.

"All we know is he left the track and ploughed through some bushes.

"The paramedics arrived and the ambulance then the air ambulance, but he was pronounced dead at the trackside.

"Witnesses who saw the accident said he appeared to just not turn the corner and he came off.

"He is an experienced rider. It is not as if he is a novice, which you could maybe understand.

"There didn't appear to be any problems with his bike but for some reason he just left the track and careered off course."

The event was cancelled straight after the crash while police and health and safety officers tried to work out the cause.

It is currently unknown how Mr Sims died.

An inquest into his death will be opened in due course.