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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 17th February 2026 at 18:25, Mark turner wrote:
Ride on Les - Many memories and all good ones!
On 17th February 2026 at 17:50, Jacqueline van Galen wrote:
My condoleance to the familie!
We met Less over 25 Year ago in Jehonville in Belgian en later on at Gedinne
We had a good chat with him and the familie!
We hope he finds a Nice racetrack in heaven! Greetings from the Netherlands
On 17th February 2026 at 14:27, Johan Pover wrote:
Heartfelt sympathy
On 17th February 2026 at 09:16, Nick Hooper wrote:
Quite a character who continued with his sport regardless of difficulties. Good example to quite a few who seem to stop pushing themselves when they retire from work.
On 16th February 2026 at 22:56, Paul Barnard wrote:
Raced with Les in 80s always an hello un a chops a pure gentleman rip mate
On 16th February 2026 at 22:51, Alfonso Lygo wrote:
I ran into Les at all sorts of events and venues. I totally admired his zest for racing and the way he rode on track...he will be greatly missed
On 16th February 2026 at 20:15, Merv Noble wrote:
Les was an incredible person, great dad grandad and personality. You had to admire his passion for everything that rang his bell. RIP mate I am sure many will miss you.
On 16th February 2026 at 20:01, Leigh Clark wrote:
Godspeed Les, a stalwart of the classic club. You rode for the love of the sport.
On 16th February 2026 at 20:00, Ian ENGLISH wrote:
He was character who will be sadly missed, I remember speaking to him after a race at Donington Park in the late 90s, he was absolutely worn out, when I asked why, he said the bike wouldn't start, and after a couple of bumps, he realised he had not turned the ignition on, he said after that he had a wonderful race. This must be one of many stories, that made him such a star in the paddock. RIP Les.
On 16th February 2026 at 19:29, Angela HEMMINGS wrote:
Mick and I never stopped admiring Les and his passion for his motorcycling. He never gave up. Living local to us we often had chats with him.
Not surprising he had a long
Life. RIP Les you deserve it x