Sadness has touched the world of motorsport this week with the tragic news of Allan Simonsen’s death during the famous Le Mans 24 Hour race in France on Saturday.

Simonsen, who was due to join Wilson Security Racing’s David Wall in V8 Supercars’ Season of Endurance later this year, was a friend to all at Brad Jones Racing after joining the squad as Jason Bargwanna’s co-driver in the 2011 Gold Coast event.

In 2011 BJR was shaken by the death of regular driver Jason Richards after a short battle with cancer. The team now runs a tribute to Richards on each of its cars every time they compete and team Co-Owner Brad Jones says the Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600 will see a similar tribute to Simonsen later this year.

Simonson was 34 years old and leaves behind a partner and one-year-old daughter.

“I was incredibility shocked and saddened to hear of Allan’s passing at Le Mans,” Jones said.

“I have known Allan for a number of years and always felt he was an extremely fast, talented driver.

“At every event we compete with the memory and spirit of Jason Richards. At the endurance events this year we will also compete with the memory and spirit of Allan.

“On behalf of all the employees at BJR I would like to pass on our condolences to Allan’s family. His work ethic, speed and professional attitude marked him as a driver BJR was keen to work with in the future. Moreover he was a great bloke and a gifted racer taken way too early in life. RIP.”