Tributes to Leeds racing driver Chris Meek

Chris Meek, of Alwoodley, Leeds, who was chairman of the Titan Group and the owner of the Mallory Park racing circuit in Leicestershire, died on Saturday, May 21 after a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends.

Mr Meek achieved more than 500 race wins during an illustrious racing career covering Formula 2, Formula Atlantic, Formula Libre, Formula Ford, Formula 3, Saloons and GT cars.

He was also seven-time production car champion and gained the highest number of lap records of any other driver at the time.

In 1983 he bought Mallory Park, a racing circuit in the Leicestershire countryside, to continue and promote motorsport.

Mr Meek leaves a widow, Svetlena, to whom he was married for more than 17 years, and two sons, Nikita, 21, and Charlie, 10. Svetlena said: “Chris was a wonderful husband, a great father and a dear friend.

Mr Meek said the fastest he had driven in a Ferrari was 217mph – which happens to be the top speed of the Enzo model. He declined to say where and when, but he does currently have a clean driving licence.

“A Ferrari feels absolutely safe at speed – road holding is the best. The first thing I do when I get in a Ferrari is turn off the electronics (such as traction control), so then I am in control.”

“At 217mph, if the car feels safe and you are comfortable you feel great. I have driven motorbikes at more than 185mph and that feels more like 300mph.

The British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) paid tribute to Mr Meek this week.

He became a Full Member of the BRDC 20 years ago in 1996 and had just been accepted as a Life Member.