Tributes paid to sidecar competitor Artie Oates

Port St Mary man described as ' one of the true characters of sidecar racing'

Tributes are being paid following the death of local sidecar competitor Artie Oates.

Hailing from Port St Mary, Mr Oates contested all but three Southern 100 Road Races meetings between 1972 and 1995 and won the 1990 Sidecar Formula 2 Championship with passenger Stuart Pitts.

Overall he contested 51 races at the event, securing ten podiums and nine lower top six finishes across a 27-year career at 'the friendly races.'

The Southern 100 Club says it's saddened to learn of Mr Oates' passing and is passing on its condolences to his family and friends, adding 'he may have been small in stature, but he was large in life, living it to the full.'

Among those also paying their respects is the Andreas Racing Association at which Oates alongside Pitts earned a best finish of third in the Sidecar Race A there in 1991.

The association describes Mr Oates as 'one of the true characters of sidecar racing', adding his passing comes with 'great sadness'.