THE York family of a sidecar racer who died along with his team-mate in a crash today paid tribute to his "friendship and love".

Driver Andy Brown, 34, and passenger John Dowling, 35, were killed instantly when their Yamaha machine lost control and crashed during a Southern 100 race at the Billown Circuit on the Isle of Man. Another Yamaha pairing was involved in the incident, but escaped with serious, not life-threatening injuries.

Andy, from Hillam, near Selby, and John, who had moved to Leicestershire from York, both took up sidecar racing more than ten years ago and were regular competitors on the island and had competed in this year's TT festival.

A coroner has recorded verdicts of death by misadventure.

John's parents, Bill and Sylvia, who raised him in Copmanthorpe, said his death was a "shocking loss", but took comfort from the fact he was doing something he loved.

"He always had a twinkle in his eye," said Bill, from Hallcroft Lane, who has two other children, Karen and Paul.

"He lived for his racing and loved going to the Isle of Man. We've been robbed of a real star. He would spend all night with people if he thought he could help them. He was so kind and loving."

"We're devastated," Sylvia said. "He was such a loving son and used to phone me up to tell me where he had come in a race.

"We're so proud of his achievements."

John's sister, Karen, added: "He packed more into his 35 years than most people do in 90. His friends used to call him the 'English gentleman'."

John, who was a former pupil at Tadcaster Grammar School and worked as a design engineer for Rolls Royce, pieced his first motorbike together when he was 15.

He teamed up with former arch-rival Andy, a civil engineer, about five years ago to realise a mutual ambition of riding at the TT.

Andy's partner of 13 years, Jacquie Bond, 33, said the racing duo were the "nicest guys you could ever meet".

"It was love at first sight with Andy," she said. "I'd never met anyone like him before, he was like a breath of fresh air.

"We were very happy and I can't imagine life without him."

Dozens of bikers are expected at York Crematorium for John's funeral on Friday, at 11am. It will be followed by a special get-together at popular bikers' haunt, Squires Milk Bar at Newthorpe, near Sherburn-in-Elmet.

Andy's funeral takes place tomorrow at 11.15am at All Saints' Church, Barwick-in-Elmet.

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, July 23, 2003