Friends have paid tribute to touring car star and Oxfordshire man David Leslie who was killed in the Farnborough air crash.

Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart called Mr Leslie's death "a great loss to Scottish motorsport".

Investigators yesterday began sifting through wreckage to find out what caused the tragedy in Kent.

Pilot Mike Roberts and passenger Richard Lloyd, 63, the boss of Apex Motorsport and a former touring car champion, have also been named as victims.

The plane crashed into a house and burst into flames. No-one on the ground was injured as the householders were away on holiday.

Mr Leslie's neighbours in Burdrop, near Banbury, said they were in shock following his sudden death.

Hugo Seely, a carpenter from the village, said he had visited Mr Leslie's home, off Acre Ditch, when the racing champ needed some work done to his house.

Mr Seely said: "It is terribly sad - it is awful.

"He seemed to be quite a jolly, pleasant sort of chap."

The Motor Sports Association said Mr Leslie, 54, leaves a wife, Jane, and two sons, Graham and James.

When their plane crashed, Mr Lloyd and Mr Leslie were on their way to south-west France to test a Jaguar in preparation for the opening round of the touring car series at Silverstone on April 20.

Mr Leslie, who spent some of his time teaching a Motorsport course at a university in Wales, was remembered by friend Rowland Bratt, father of Adderbury racing driver Will Bratt.

They raced against each other in the Dunlop Stars of Tomorrow series in 1976 and remained close friends.

Mr Bratt said: "We had dinner together on Saturday, the day before the crash. Four of us, David and his wife Jane, and myself and my wife Diane, were at the Mason's Arms, Swerford.

"His death is so upsetting, and I am so sorry for Jane. They had been married for 30 years and were a family team.

"David was a very good driver and I was proud of my friendship with him.

"The four of us went on holiday together last year."

Sir Jackie Stewart said: "Scotland has been sorely hit over the last 12 months with the deaths of Colin McRae and now David Leslie."

Mr McRae died in a helicopter crash in September 2007 which also claimed the life of his son and two friends.

Sir Jackie added: "David was a highly skilled and talented racing driver who was also an excellent engineer and technical expert within the sport.

"A proud Scot who represented our country internationally in a dignified and stylish fashion."

Fellow victim Richard Lloyd, who lived in Helmdon, near Brackley in Northamptonshire, was married with three daughters.