FORMER Robins number one Scott Nicholls believes this year’s British Grand Prix in Cardiff is the perfect place to pay tribute to former rider Lee Richardson.

The Lakeside Hammers captain, who himself enjoyed a successful spell at Blunsdon , was tragically killed in a crash in Poland earlier this year in an incident that shook everyone involved in the sport.

Richardson competed at the Millennium Stadium on a number of occasions during his time in the GP series and made the podium in 2004, and is set to be remembered by both riders and fans on an emotional evening in Wales.

Thousands of wrist bands and t-shirts bearing the #RICO Twitter handle have been sold to raise money for Lee’s wife Emma and their children, and Nicholls is hoping as many as possible are on view in South Wales.

“It is a very sad reality of our sport, and it is something which none of us could believe when it happened,” Nicholls said.

“Lee was a great servant to our sport and a very popular British rider, so it is only natural he is remembered at an event like this.

“Cardiff was a meeting he enjoyed, and it will certainly be an emotional one this year because there are bound to be loads of Rico wrist bands and t-shirts around the stadium.

“In a strange way I am very happy I am going to be there to race, and I hope he is remembered well on the night.

“Before he died I know Lee was working very hard towards winning this year’s British title, and he wanted another crack at the GP series before he retired, and he certainly had the talent to do it.”

Nicholls himself earned the wildcard for tonight’s event by winning a record seventh British Championship at Monmore Green last month, and is looking forward to a pressure free evening.

“It is a fantastic event to be involved in, and I am proud to have been there for every one since it started at Cardiff,” he said.

“I am obviously a bit biased, but I think it is the best event on the speedway calendar by far, and it is an amazing place to race.

“Taking part at Cardiff is all a bonus for me, because I have no world championship to go for and no place in the top eight to protect or anything like that, and I can just go out there and have some fun.

“I will never say never about trying to do the series again full time, but I know just how hard a place it can be when things are not really going right for you.”