Club mates and relatives paid a tearful and petrol-driven goodbye to a talented teenage racer.

Mid Sussex Motocross Club held an emotional memorial event for rider Brad Hooper who suffered fatal injuries during a race meet at the beginning of May.

The heartfelt send-off, held at the club’s own track in Shermanbury near Henfield on May 18, began with an address from Brad’s father Tony, who onlookers said “moved many to tears with his strength”.

Youth group riders then lined up on the start gate while the rest of the riders, spectators and members of Brad’s family surrounded the track for a two-minute silence.

The silence was also held for Mick Williams, the father of another club member who passed away suddenly at the end of April.

Youth riders then took part in a parade lap headed by Brad’s two closest friends which was warmly applauded by the crowd.

Twenty-three red and white balloons were also released by his family in recognition of the rider’s race number.

Many members donned T- shirts, hoodies and race shirt with Brad’s name and number while all riders wore black armbands in memory of the 16-year-old who was killed at a Hampshire race track.

He was competing for a different team after his Mid Sussex fixture was called off because of bad weather.

His funeral was held in Hale, Surrey, on Tuesday in a specially decorated motocross coffin.