A MAN whose son was killed in a motorbike race at Oulton Park is backing a campaign -- highlighted in the Star -- for increased safety measures at racing tracks.

And although the story has brought back painful memories for Les Dugdale, he is also hopeful that it will finally help him to piece together the whole truth of his son Carl's death at the Cheshire circuit 14 years ago.

Les, from Crow Lane West, Newton-le-Willows, contacted the Star following our Page One article about the campaign by Alan Lowton, whose brother Keith, from Prescot, was killed while watching a Superbike race at Oulton Park.

Carl Dugdale, an experienced motor cyclist, suffered fatal injuries when he was catapulted from his bike during a practice session for the Cheshire Motorcycle Club Championships in July, 1987. He was just 25 years old.

Les believes that the absence of straw bales along the track contributed to Carl's death, as well as several other factors, including an open service road crossing the track and the lack of safety marshalls. And he believes the inquest at Crewe never truly established the exact cause.

For five years following Carl's death, Les tried to discover the events that contributed to it, but he was forced to give up due to ill health. Now he hopes someone might come forward with information to finally put his mind at rest.

And he has pledged his full support to Alan Lowton's call for more stringent safety features at Superbike tracks.

Les feels that although things have improved at Oulton Park since Carl's fatal accident, a lot more still needs to be done to ensure the safety of riders and spectators alike.

Meanwhile, Alan Lowton is currently setting up a website to alert motorbike riders and members of the public to safety issues at racing tracks and is also planning to recruit the support of local councillors and MPs for his campaign.