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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 16th February 2026 at 18:18, Terry Eldred wrote:
RIP Les, you were an inspiration and a true racer, thanks for being you, your help and knowledge when I raced at Daytona was immeasurable, Thank you again T
On 16th February 2026 at 18:03, Brenda Millar wrote:
What sad news. Les was what the CRMC was formed for. Will be sadly missed by all that knew him. RIP Les xx
On 16th February 2026 at 17:56, Brian Beck wrote:
Such a character.
Life needs people like Les. We were lucky to have him in the racing family.
My condolences to his family.
On 16th February 2026 at 16:47, Paul Firth wrote:
What an amazing lovely character Les was, full of knowledge and stories. I'm guessing around 2011 or 12 I followed him in to the grass at coppice, cadwell when marshals were already attending to Les and he told them that he didn't need help as he was ok and not useless ! R.I.P Les, a great fella, condolences to all family and friends.
On 16th February 2026 at 16:42, Kevan Brown wrote:
RIP Les...
Seriously one of a kind and doubt very much anyone else will have a racing record to match his.
I first saw him racing a 125 in 1976 and many years later when I was marshaling for CRMC he was a regular on his Ducati and a few times on the MBA125.
On 16th February 2026 at 15:26, Antony Hart wrote:
I met Les on a beautiful sunny day while waiting access to the Snetterton paddock. Over a cuppa I was informed of his amazing life that would truly make a documentary, race bikes and his race career, his setting up a bricklaying company in Germany living the Au Videsen Pet life but what stayed with me most was the fact he had more kids than a football team and for some strange reason seemed prions to have our lived most! Rest well Les. Tony
On 16th February 2026 at 14:40, Joanne Kemp wrote:
R.I.P les he was a true legend I remember les coming to the assembly area on his parade bike and it had 86 on it he had time for everyone and his s knowledge was amazing he was a true gentleman and will be missed by so many thoughts and prayer go out to his family and friends at his very sad time
On 16th February 2026 at 14:35, Paul Keohane wrote:
A lovely chap and what a character, they definitely broke the mold after Les popped out, my condolences to the family.