FELLOW rally driver Nik Elsmore says he is 'devastated' by the loss of Lee Reed, the promising young rally star tragically killed in a crash on the A40 road at Longhope.
"It is a great, great loss," said Nik, from Christchurch. "Lee was the same age as me and we both passed our test together. Later we all went out in the same group and started rallying together.
"He was absolutely committed and dedicated. He spent every hour and every minute he could working to pay for his driving.
"My heartfelt sympathy goes out to John and the family."
Grieving father John Reed says he will enter the Wyedean Rally on behalf of his son. The children's cancer charity CLIC will be the main beneficiary of a sponsorship campaign being raised in conjunction with the the February 9 rally effort.
"It is absolutely what my lad would have wanted – he will be with me 100 per cent of the way," said Mr Reed, 60, of Nailbridge.
"Lee was a shy lad, not in the least big headed about his achievements but he was very, very good – in a way he was what I could never have been. This is the way he would have wanted me to go and this is why I want to go.
"All he really needed was a break with a big sponsor – like a lot of people in the rally business he worked wonders with limited funds."
Lee achieved tremendous successes in a battle-worn Mark II Ford Escort against established drivers with unlimited funds. He was building himself a new car and ever-hopeful of a big break after narrowly missing sponsorship from race giants Honda a few years ago.
"He had the skill to make it. With a little help he could be a sensation," said Mr Reed, who like Lee belongs to the Ludlow Castle Rally Club.
Mr Reed, a well known rally driver with a string of achievements before his retirement from the sport, also thanked the rally world for the sympathy and tributes paid to Lee.
In particular he thanked the M-Sport rally organisation which backed his hero, Colin McRae, and friend Nik Elsmore.
Lee was buried at Yew Tree Brake on Monday in full racing gear, with hundreds turning out to wish a talented young man a last farewell.
Nik was represented at the funeral by his brother Jamie as he was unable to break work commitments.