A CORONER ruled there was no clearly apparent reason why a successful Worcestershire sidecar racer fatally lost control of his bike.

Phil Dongworth was racing in a qualifying session at the Southern 100 races in the Isle of Man when his sidecar went over a small bump in the road.

Spectators told coroner Michael Moyle the sidecar then lost control and crashed into a hay bale in front of a stone wall.

A report in the Isle of Man Examiner said photographs of the final moments were taken by Gary Jones and shown at the inquest.

They showed the sidecar coming out of a left hand corner and the passenger wheel lifting off the road.

The following two images showed the wheel lifting higher and the sidecar leaving the racing line.

Another spectator, Daren Clarke, said 43-year-old Mr Dongworth, of Stanford Bridge, near Worcester, tried to slow down and regain control after the back end of the vehicle moved out of line, but it was too late.

The father-of-two was thrown out of the sidecar with his passenger Stuart Castles.

He was airlifted to Noble’s Hospital but died later on Tuesday, July 14, as a result of his multiple injuries.

Mr Castles survived the crash but suffered serious injuries. He has since been discharged from hospital.

Recording a verdict of death by misadventure, Mr Moyle said it was clear he was an experienced rider and there was no obvious reason why he lost control and crashed.

Mr Dongworth’s funeral was held on Tuesday at Worcester crematorium and attended by hundreds of mourners.

A procession of motorbikes followed Mr Dongworth’s coffin from his business, WAS Autocentre in Bath Road, Worcester, to the crematorium.

Writing on the Facebook site ‘RIP Phil Dongworth Truly Missed’, Caroline Passey wrote: “An honour to be part of the amazing send off.

“Will keep my Dongo sticker on my bike forever as a tribute, he will never be forgotten.”

Sarah Bullock added: “Truly amazing send off. How proud must his family be.

“All the bikes at the ceremony sounded awesome.”