World-famous racer Steve, 37, of Beancroft Road, Castleford, died in September while competing in a German F1 Championship sidecar race at Hockenheim.

His passenger, Rick Long, suffered serious leg injuries in the accident and has just been moved to a hospital in the UK.

Members of the Formula Sidecar Racing Association (FSRA) set up an auction on Ebay this week to raise money for Rick's recovery and also for Steve's family.

Fellow racer Lindsey Richardson, of Snaith, said: "Everyone was friends with Steve and Rick and wanted to do something to help.

"The bottom of Rick's legs were shattered in the crash and the number of operations he has had already reaches double figures. He has only just returned to the UK and will need a lot of aftercare and more operations.

"Many racers donated more than 50 items to be auctioned off on Ebay and in the first week or so we'd already raised about £4,500."

Steve had achieved 11 podium finishes at the Isle of Man TT – the biggest race in motorsport – and was described as "best sidecar racer never to have won the TT".

He won the British F2 Championship in 2006 and became a regular in the World F1 Championship.

Rick's holds a passenger record of eight TT wins.

The auction runs until Saturday evening (November 23) at http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/racing_gear_racing_stuff.