More than £7,000 raised for Preston Park cycle track in memory of cyclists killed in Shoreham air crash

Thousands of pounds have been raised for Brighton’s Preston Park cycle track in memory of two cyclists who lost his life in the Shoreham air disaster in August.

Father of two Dylan Archer and his friend Richard Smith were among 11 people who died when a Hawker Hunter jet crashed onto the A27 during an air display on 22 August.

They had been on their way to join a friend for a bike ride on the South Downs.

So far, more than £7,000 has been raised for the track in East Sussex, which faces an uncertain future after British Cycling suspended competitive racing there earlier this year due to the state of disrepair of the perimeter fencing.

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“Preston Park Cycling Track is the oldest in the UK and the second oldest in the World,” reads the description of the fundraising drive on Just Giving.

“Last year the track was closed to racing due to safety reasons. Large funds are needed to save the track so that it can be used again for racing.

“The track is a great facility and a really useful track to teach and mentor young and not so young cyclists.

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“Dylan was a passionate cyclist and was regularly at the track, he taught his sons to ride there and [his partner] Alice, even though she was a late starter!

“Our aim is to raise money to help save the track as a legacy to him and his friend, Richard Smith, who he was out riding with that day.

“The campaign is in its early stages and will have many stages of raising funds for different parts of the improvements to the facility.

“We will be in regular contact with Rupert Rivett, the project campaign manager and all money raised will go directly to support the 'Save Preston Park Cycle Track' campaign.

“As the project progresses a fitting tribute will be found and dedicated to their memory with the money raised.”

Updates on the Save Preston Park Cycle Track campaign – which has been supported by Tinkoff-Saxo sports director and one-time Tour de France yellow jersey wearer, Sean Yates, a native of Sussex – can be found on its Facebook page.

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