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RIP Les Judkins *Updated Funeral details*

Posted on 24th February 2026 at 00:16
We are so very sorry to share the news that Les Judkins has died at the ripe old age of 95 

RIP Les Judkins 

Many of you (and almost all CRMC members!) will know and remember Les Judkins well, he was a real character who has been racing for decades! He was passionate about his motorcycle racing and somehow managed on a shoestring budget to achieve so much! His bikes weren't known for being pretty, but they were known for being reliable and fast! 
 
No doubt many of us have fond memories of Les, who was a feature of CRMC paddocks since we started in the 1980's! Please share your memories in the Condolences section below. In his later years, he famously changed his race number to match his age each year, so I remember racing with Les at Mallory Park on 250cc and 350cc back in 2005, when he raced with number 75! As he said to me "Use it or lose it!" 
 
Our thoughts and condolences to Les' large family, he is much missed. 

Funeral Details 

Les Judkins funeral will be at the Edgar Newman Chapel, Warren Hill Crematorium, Kettering, NN16 8XE at 11am on Tuesday, 3rd March 2026. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, for Macmillan Cancer Support may be made online at Memory Giving or sent to J. Stamp & Sons, Funeral Directors: 
'The Chestnuts' • 15 Kettering Road • Market Harborough • 
Leicestershire • LE16 8AN 
Tel: 01858 462524 
 
For those who can't attend the funeral, the family have arranged to stream the service: https://jstampandsons.co.uk/2026/02/23/judkins-les  
Click the link and watch Blue Peter's John Noakes riding with Les Judkins in his sidecar... 
<<< 
Les Judkins has been racing solos and also sidecars for over 50 years and famously featured in a Blue Peter episode with John Noakes back in the 1970's - watch it here 
 
We'll publish any further information about funeral arrangements when we hear from the family. 
 
Our thoughts and condolences to Les' family and friends at this sad time. 

Condolences & messages 

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On 2nd March 2026 at 20:24, Jon Ryden wrote:
I'll have a ride over to Kettering tomorrow to bid you farewell Les. The article they did about you in the bike mag, maybe Bike or Ride a few years ago was a belter.
On 2nd March 2026 at 14:04, Dave & Linda White wrote:
We are so sad to hear of Les's passing and have many fond memories.
Sorry we can't be there tomorrow to remember him.
Condolences to Michael and Family.
Dave and Linda
On 23rd February 2026 at 21:46, Carla corstin wrote:
I first met les aka dad 6 years ago and boy did he have a story to tell! I loved every moment in his company ❤️ you rest easy with your pork pie! I love you until we meet again ❤️
On 23rd February 2026 at 21:24, Kevin Capon wrote:
Met Les a few times
Best memory Daytona can't remember the year. Les and the bikes out the back off a hire van🏍🏁🏍🏁
On 23rd February 2026 at 21:09, martyn higgins wrote:
one of my memory's of Les was at one of the cadwell park meeting he's ducati 350 stop at my post on park straight
rest in peace Les my Thoughts to his loved ones.
On 22nd February 2026 at 18:41, Harvey wrote:
What a person he was, he loved his family and the sport. I have great memories from the early 80's. I used to live down the road from Les when I was a young boy. I would go to his work shop some nights and help him prepare his bikes for the weekend and also go with him to circuits to watch him race, happy times and memories. RIP Les and ride high my friend, thoughts are with his family
On 20th February 2026 at 14:44, Graeme Acott wrote:
How can anyone forget Les!

What a character, for racing, and life in general. A few things spring to mind...

He recounted (in a truly humble & grateful way), that he had lived a wonderful, varied and full life, done a tremendous amount of things.
I think he only stopped racing (and started parading) in his 80's.

I THINK he won his first (only???) race at Lydden, not that many years ago? (I could be wrong with this?); but it wasn't about the winning, it was about doing something you love.

His old van got vandalised in his village once I think? But he still patched it up and used it.

His passion for racing (on a limited budget), and life in general is surely a great example to many of us.

Condolences to his family & friends.

RIP Les - you were a Gent !
On 19th February 2026 at 22:53, Kris Sonneborn wrote:
I remember Les and his family beeing one of the first to arrive in Jehonville (Belgium) each year,one week before the races.
Rest in peace Les and all the strength to his relatives
On 19th February 2026 at 19:28, Adrian Godden wrote:
Les - you're with the stars that we see every night. Thank you for being with us while here on all the race tracks . You were very special young man.
On 17th February 2026 at 19:57, Jane Lubbock wrote:
I remember him well, a great character.
Thoughts to his loved ones.