Remembering the fallen

[erwin greven]

Bottom post of the previous page:

[MonteCristo]

Nasty t-bone in the rain.

RIP.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Former Force India Formula 1 deputy team principal Robert Fernley has passed away at the age of 70.


Robert Fernley (GBR) Force India

A close associate of Vijay Mallya, Fernley held the role at the Silverstone team from its first season under the Force India name in 2008 until the summer of 2018, when Lawrence Stroll bought the assets of the company and relaunched it as Racing Point.

A native of Stockport, Fernley had an initial involvement with F1 via the Ensign team in the early 1980s, helping close friend Jim Crawford to the 1982 British championship title.

The pair then moved to CanAm series, where Crawford finished runner-up in 1983 and 1984 with a converted Ensign.

Fernley was also involved with IndyCar efforts in the 1980s, including running the Canadian Tire team with Jacques Villeneuve Sr, and the Mike Curb entry for Ed Pimm in the 1986 Indianapolis 500.

He then worked outside racing for many years, with one project involving introducing carbonfibre technology to the Chinese space programme, and another the Danish fishing industry. He was also involved in the hotel business.

It was his close friendship with Mallya that brought him back to international motorsport after the Indian businessman bought the former Spyker team in late 2007.

In essence, Fernley served as Mallya’s eyes and ears at the track and in the Silverstone factory. He was largely responsible for the team’s dealings with the FIA, the Formula 1 organisation and the media.

Force India finished a lowly 10th in the world championship in its first season with Ferrari power in 2008, before forging a new partnership with Mercedes the following year. Pole position for Giancarlo Fisichella at the 2009 Belgian GP was an early highlight, with the Italian finishing the race in second place.

Others to drive for the team over its decade of existence were Tonio Liuzzi, Adrian Sutil, Paul di Resta, Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon, while George Russell conducted his early F1 testing and FP1 running with the team.

Under Fernley and chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer, the team made steady progress and outperformed rivals with bigger budgets, reaching fifth place in 2015 and then earning fourth in both 2016 and 2017.

However funding was getting tighter and tighter and with Mallya involved in legal problems in his home country the team reached a crisis point in the summer of 2018.

The team went into administration and during the summer break after the Hungarian GP when Stroll acquired the assets and relaunched it as Racing Point, Fernley’s involvement ended immediately.

In 2019 Fernley made an unexpected return to Indianapolis having been engaged by McLaren to oversee its 500 entry with Fernando Alonso. Unfortunately it was not a successful venture and the Spaniard failed to qualify.

Later Fernley had a spell as the head of the FIA’s single-seater commission, having replaced Stefano Domenicali in the role. He was succeeded by former F1 team boss Giancarlo Minardi in 2022.

Fernley was also involved in promoting young engineering talent through an association with the National Centre for Motorsport Engineering at the University of Bolton. In 2019 the establishment awarded him an honorary doctorate for services to engineering.

With the help of students, Fernley also ran a 1981 Ensign N180B in historic events. Three-time F1 race winner Johnny Herbert was among those to have driven it.

After the news of Fernley’s death broke, current Alpine F1 team principal Szafnauer paid tribute to his former colleague.


Bob Fernley, Deputy Team Principal, Force India, in the team principals Press Conference May 2015

"I was saddened to hear the news from Vijay and my sincere condolences go out to his family,” said the American.

“When Vijay couldn't really be with the team that much because of his business and IPL interests and so on Bob always would tell us what Vijay would want in certain situations, which was very helpful.

“He allowed the rest of the organisation to focus on the job at hand of racing, getting the car better, hiring the people, and he would deal with all the politics. That was really his biggest role and his biggest contribution.

“He was still a relatively young man, and I'm shocked. Our racing community has lost a good guy.”

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/forme ... /10489741/


RIP Bob Fernley

[erwin greven]

Reeves Callaway Passes Away at 75

Corvette icon and founder of Callaway Cars passes away…



Reeves Callaway, the founder of the Callaway Cars company that found success racing Chevrolet Corvettes in GT3 competition, has passed away at the age of 75.

After a brief racing career, Callaway founded his company in 1977 and worked on cars from various manufacturers before starting a relationship with Corvette in 1987.

The company’s racing division, named Callaway Competition, was established in 1994 through a partnership with Ernst Woehr and Giovanni Ciccone and competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the late 1990s.

With authorization from General Motors, Callaway Competition built and homologated GT3 versions of both the C6- and C7-generation Corvette for international competition.

Daniel Keilwitz and Christian Hohenadel took a Callaway-built Corvette Z06.R GT3 to the FIA GT3 Championship crown in 2010.

In ADAC GT Masters, the team secured 35 race victories and won the title in 2017 with a Corvette C7 GT3-R co-driven by Jules Gounon.

While Callaway Competition’s GT Masters program was put on hold last year, the car was raced in both GT America powered by AWS and Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS earlier this year.

“Thanks to Reeves’ visionary entrepreneurial spirit, Callaway Cars will continue to innovate and grow in the 21st century, inspired by his unique, extraordinary vision, and by his personal example of integrity, resourcefulness, and leadership as our founder,” said his son Peter Callaway, current Callaway Cars President.

“Dad’s passion for making beautifully designed and crafted machines can be seen in each and every project, and we remain devoted to executing to the highest standards, in true Callaway fashion.

“He was rarely found doing anything other than working towards the next milestone for the company.

“He was a charismatic leader with a sense of humor that we will all remember through various ‘Reeves-isms.’

“I feel fortunate to have grown up working with him and the company.”

https://sportscar365.com/obituary/reeve ... way-at-75/

[theracer120]

2000s V8 Supercar driver Dale Brede died suddenly this week at the age of 48. He finished 2nd in the Development Series in 2002, drove full-time in the main championship in 2004 and competed in six Bathurst 1000s.

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/07/16/va ... 1974-2023/

[acerogers58]

2000s V8 Supercar driver Dale Brede died suddenly this week at the age of 48. He finished 2nd in the Development Series in 2002, drove full-time in the main championship in 2004 and competed in six Bathurst 1000s.

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/07/16/va ... 1974-2023/

Very sad, he was up until this year the last driver from Canberra to drive in a full time season. He was also Mark Porter's teammate on that fateful weekend in 2006. Apparently he was a stuntman at Movieworld at the time of his passing, although I doubt that had anything to do with his death since it likely would of come out in the media much sooner.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Teenage speedway racer dies after road accident


The Queensland speedway karting community is mourning after the death ofJett Lemon

The Queensland Speedway kart community is in mourning after a non-racing related road accident claimed the life of a young star of the future.

Jett Lemon suffered critical injuries after the accident at Dakabin on July 18 in a single vehicle accident involving a Commodore utility hitting a power pole on Marsden Road.

He was taken to the Royal Brisbane Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

He tragically passed away two days later after being placed on life support after suffering from post-surgery complications.

The 18-year-old from Kallangur in the suburbs of Brisbane was a popular member of the Maryborough Speedway Kart Club and had competed at events across Australia.

The club posted a tribute to Lemon on their Facebook page on Thursday.

“Sadly, today we lost one of our Club Members and Kart drivers Jett Lemon”.

“We will miss your infectious smile, personality and enthusiasm for Speedway. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kristie, Ryder and your entire family at this difficult time. You will be missed by all. Rest easy mate.”

Tributes flowed across social media on Friday, as friends and family remembered the young racer.

Drew Baxter said, “Today the world lost a racer and heaven gained a legend”.

A GoFundMe Campaign Started by a friend of the family has raised over $11,000 of its $15,000 target to help the family cope with the costs of his funeral and other expenses.

The page states “Funds raised through this page will be used to reduce the financial burden that Jett’s sudden passing has had on his family. It will help support the immediate needs of his mother and siblings during this difficult time.”

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dash cam footage to come forward.

.https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/07/21/te ... -accident/

RIP Jett Lemon




Jett Lemon Obituary,–

Remembering Jett, a Gentle Giant taken too soon.

On July 18th, our lives were forever changed when Jett, a vibrant young soul, was tragically involved in a horrific car crash amidst a rainy day. The accident left him with severe injuries, including broken femurs, an arm, and two places in his pelvis. Despite the seriousness of his injuries, there was hope for a full recovery.

In the face of adversity, Jett showed incredible strength and resilience. However, fate dealt a devastating blow when he suffered an embolism post-surgery, leading to life support. It is with profound sorrow that we share the heart-wrenching news that the family had to make the incredibly difficult decision to turn off life support, only days after the accident. Jett’s sudden and shocking passing has left us all reeling with immense pain and grief.

Jett, who had just celebrated his 18th birthday, leaves behind a loving family, including his mother Kristie, little brother Ryder, his 7-month-old sister Reggie, and countless cherished family and friends.

With a heart of gold, Jett was a gentle giant, touching the lives of those around him in profound ways. His departure was far too soon, leaving our hearts unprepared for this immense loss.

During this challenging time, we come together to support Jett’s family by easing the financial burden his sudden passing has brought upon them. Funds raised through this page will assist with immediate needs and provide some solace amidst the overwhelming grief.

We extend our deepest gratitude for any contributions made and thank you from the depths of our hearts for your consideration and support. If you are unable to contribute, a simple share of this tribute with your friends and family would mean the world. Let us remember Jett for the beautiful soul he was, cherishing the memories and impact he made during his time with us. Rest in peace, dear Jett.

.https://farewellobits.com/jett-lemon-ob ... oon-death/

[Everso Biggyballies]

Roger Dorchy (15 September 1944 – 26 July 2023)



Frenchman Roger Dorchy, the Mulsanne's fastest man, has died at the age of 78. Dorchy’s record speed of 407kph at the 1988 Le Mans 24 Hour down the Mulsanne Straight is one record that will likely never be surpassed, owing to the two chicane’s that were added to the 5.9 km stretch of public road in 1990, breaking the straight up into three sections.

Dorchy, a native of La Ferte-Saint-Samson in France’s northern Normandy region passed away on Wednesday 26 July at the age of 78, with his enduring speed record at the circuit de la Sarthe cementing his place in motorsport folklore.

Behind the wheel of a WM P88 that had a V6 turbo Peugeot engine, the speed record came about when Dorchy realised that the car was not going to finish the race.

“After the start, around 10-11pm, the car began to show signs of weakness and overheating,” Dorchy said in 2013.

“We understood at that moment that the race was lost, that we would certainly not go to the end. So, I pressed the pedal, and it worked. An hour or two later, the car stopped for good.”

Dorchy participated in 13 Le Mans 24 Hour races, but his legacy will be remembered for breaking the Mulsanne Straight speed record.


RIP Roger Dorchy.

An article in Motorsport Magazine back in 2001 related the story surrounding Dorchy's record.

The WM team at Le Mans: Straight Fighters

Jaguar, Ferrari, Porsche:All are multiple Le Mans winners, but the WM team never sought to emulate them. Their raison d'etre was to attain the quickest speed ever recorded at La Sarthe.


WM P88 set a Le Mans speed record of 405km/h (251mph) in 1988

The rear wing was wound down and the boost wound up. Duct tape was strapped across almost every bodywork orifice and some brave soul was strapped into the cockpit. The driver would trickle out of the pits and, if he was lucky, limp back 10 minutes later in a pall of oil smoke. In between times, he’d hit an almost obscene terminal velocity on the Mulsanne Straight.

Through most of the 1980s, the French WM team turned up for the Le Mans 24 Hours seemingly with only one goal — to top the speed-trap times on the four-mile straight, then uninterrupted by chicanes. A finish or even a decent qualifying time appeared secondary to this annual ritual.

“The car was made for top speed and nothing else,” recalls Thierry Boutsen of his Le Mans debut with WM back in 1981. “It was designed to be quickest down the straight”

Fellow Belgian Didier Theys, who raced for the team in 1982 and ‘83, has similar memories: “They would keep trimming the car for straight-line speed, but that left us with no downforce. The car was terrible everywhere else, particularly through the Porsche Curves. Sure, the car was fast on the Mulsanne, but the lap times were terrible.”

Boutsen and Theys don’t have fond memories of their time at the wheel of the quirky Peugeot-engined WM coupes.

“They were scary to drive,” says Theys, “so unstable.”



Roger Dorchy speeding down Mulsanne


The WM team and driver Roger Dorchy were the kings of Mulsanne speed, achieving 381kph in 1987 with the P87, then went one better a year later, officially declaring 405kph with this P88, but believe they went quicker

Boutsen remembers a car that required all his attention just to make it to the end of the Mulsanne unscathed: “The width of the road was just wide enough to keep the thing under control. I used to zigzag all the way down the straight. If I wanted to pass another car I had to anticipate this movement”

Boutsen doesn’t blame this instability for the accident which ended his race and resulted in the death of a marshal. Rear suspension failure is believed to have caused the crash that sent his WM pinballing between the Mulsanne barriers for half a mile.

The accident was a blow to a team that former drivers likened to a big family. WM weren’t a professional operation, rather a group of enthusiastic volunteers working under the direction of two employees on Peugeot’s road-car design staff. Gerard Welter-the ‘W’ – was a top stylist, and together with fellow employee Michel Meunier – the ‘M’ – he had been building racing cars since 1969. They first turned up at Le Mans in ‘76 with a car built to the new GTP fuel-formula rules, then switched to the new Group C division in 1982.

Peugeot provided technical assistance, allowing the team to use their wind tunnel and dynos, but the official line is that there was never any funding from the French car maker. It is not coincidence, however, that the team managed to attract sponsorship from companies with Peugeot associations, the likes of petrol giant Esso and the Heuliez styling house.

By the second half of the decade, WM had a new target: to break the 400km/h (250mph) barrier on the Mulsanne, which for all but five days a year is the main road between the cities of Le Mans and Tours. An all-new car was built for 1987 and the long-serving 2.8-litre twin-turbo PRV engine further developed.


WM P88 at Le Mans
The new P87 was completed in the paddock during that year’s pre-race test day on the Circuit de la Sarthe and the car managed just a handful of laps. Further testing was clearly required, so the team tried out its latest creation on a section of unopened autoroute near Reims. Sportscar veteran Francois Migault was chosen to drive and clocked an amazing 258mph (416km/h) over a five-mile course. Back at La Sarthe, though, engine problems restricted WM’s favoured son, Roger Dorchy, who had finished fourth for the team in 1980, to a mere 237mph maximum in qualifying.

Twelve months later, Welter and his crew set to their usual routine in the cool air of Saturday evening. Dorchy was strapped in and the boost wound sky-high. The Frenchman warmed up with one slow lap. Second time through the Mulsanne speed trap, the WM was travelling at 405km/h or 251mph. Shortly afterwards the overheating machine was out of the race.

WM didn’t improve its figures in 1989, though a Sauber-Mercedes nudged 250mph in qualifying. By the following year’s race, politics ensured two chicanes between Tertre Rouge and Mulsanne Corner. Dorchy, Welter and a happy band of amateurs would hold the speed record at Le Mans for the rest of time.

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/arch ... -fighters/

[acerogers58]

Marty Ward (December 21 1964 - August 6 2023)

Marty Ward, one of the all-time greats in short track racing from the state of South Carolina, sadly passed away yesterday after an incident in the Southeast Super Trucks racing series at Anderson Speedway. Ward suffered a medical episode during the race, later revealed to be a massive heart attack and could not be revived. Earlier in the evening he had scored victory in the Southern Classic Stock Car feature race.

Ward was a six-time track champion at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, and a three-time South Carolina State Champion in what is now known as the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series.

He was also a race-winning driver in several notable touring series throughout his career, including the Hooters Pro Cup Series, the UARA STARS Late Model Series, the NASCAR Sportsman Division, and the NASCAR All-American Challenge Series.

Ward also had a win earlier this season with the Southeast Super Trucks, taking the victory at Anderson in the tour’s season opener on April 29.

I believe the image below was taken after his victory earlier in the evening.

[Everso Biggyballies]

RIP Marty Ward

[erwin greven]

[Everso Biggyballies]

RIP JIM REED 1937- 22/08/023


Legendary Australian drag racer Jim Reed passed away on the 22 August 2023 at the age of 86. Jim’s career dates back to the earliest days of organised drag racing in Queensland. Jim pioneered blown alcohol racing in this country, with much success and respect fom his peers and fans. Racing was a family affair for Jim and his wife Nelma, who passed in 2015. They established a family drag racing dynasty that continues to thrive today.

In the long story of Australian drag racing, no-one has been held in such high esteem or been around as long as the man we knew as Gentleman Jim.





Drag racing pioneer ‘Gentleman’ Jim Reed dies

“Gentlemen” Jim Reed, the driving force behind the Reed Racing dynasty has passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind an incredible 70 year legacy of influence, performance, and innovation in Australian drag racing.

Reed was a pioneer in the sport both on and off the track, heading up a family of successful drag racers, and was inducted into the ANDRA hall of fame in 2014.

Over the last 30 years, his son Steve Reed was one of the many Reed’s to further carry the torch as the current reigning 400 Thunder Pro Alcohol Champion and a multiple Australian champion. His daughter Kerri also raced, as did his wife Nelma, his daughter in law Debbie, his grandson Daniel, Daniel’s wife Fiona, his granddaughter Sally, and her husband Matty Watts… quite the competitive bloodline!

A cofounder of the Queensland Drag Racing association and driving force behind the creation of the Pro Alcohol category, Reed’s first foray into the sport came at age 13 when he modified his fathers 1928 Essex, upping the compression to significantly increase its power.

Jim started racing in 1955, running 16 second times over a standing start quarter-mile competing in a modified flathead V8 powered 1935 Ford at the Strathpine ex-WWII airstrip.

From 1957 – the year he married his wife Nelma, who shared a mutual love of the sport – he and Nelma didn’t miss a season of competition for the next 50 years.

In 1966 he competed in the 1966 Dragfest USA Tour as part of the opening meeting for Surfers Paradise International Raceway, with a string of Supercharged Altered models following suit.

His battles with Bob Dunn and Graeme Cowin became the stuff of folklore on the Aussie scene, with Reed also winning the first Winternationals at Surfers Paradise International Raceway.

Reed became one of the leading authorities on methanol-fuelled engines, which he was prominent in through the 1980’s, spreading his knowledge to others in helping to extensively grow the category.

In 1977 he started to share the driving duties with his son Steve, until Jim stopped racing in 1982.

Following 1982, Reed was instrumental in the formation of the Top Alcohol Eliminator category that was – and still is – a favourite with racers and fans, with the Reed Racing family now having competed in the the category for over 30 years, collecting plenty of championships along the way.

His tuning, fabrication and innovative skills kept him at the helm of Reed Racing after giving the on-track stuff away, only ever missing one race day in 20 years, which was due to being in hospital in November of 2022.

Jim will be forever remembered as an icon of the sport on Australian shores.

.https://autoaction.com.au/2023/08/23/va ... n-jim-reed



Some other pics I dug up of Jim


Jim’s first dragster, built in 1965, was basic but not a bad effort for a time when nobody in Queensland had ever seen such a vehicle. Power came from a Y-block Ford V8





Before moving to the altered, Jim campaigned this Y-block-powered Anglia in 1967 and ’68, here taking on the Bill Fuller version at Surfers Paradise


https://www.streetmachine.com.au/wp-con ... 0x2560.jpg

https://www.streetmachine.com.au/wp-con ... 0x2560.jpg

https://www.streetmachine.com.au/wp-con ... 0x2560.jpg


Jim switched to blown Hemi power in 1971 and collected almost every title going, along with a swag of records



Jim's Wife Nelma behind the wheel of the bucket at Calder Park. She was the fastest woman on Aussie dragstrips for much of the late 60s and early 70s and went as quick as 10.01@152mph


Jim, daughter-in-law Debbie, grandson Daniel and son Steve at Calder ’94, where Steve took out the Nationals. They’ve all followed in Jims footsteps as racers.



Jim and Nelma.

[theracer120]

It was a bad weekend for motorsport as 3 competitors died in the UK and Brazil.

VSCC racer Roger Twelvetrees died at Mallory Park at the wheel of his 1910 Wolseley in a race for Edwardian-era cars, and as mentioned elsewhere riders André Veríssimo Cardos and Érico Veríssimo da Rocha died in a horrific accident in the Brazilian Moto 1000GP.

RIP to all three.

[sadsac]

PBM Ducati BSB team boss Paul Bird passes away after short illness
I hope Tommy Bridewell wins championship in his honour

[Everso Biggyballies]

PBM Ducati BSB team boss Paul Bird passes away after short illness
I hope Tommy Bridewell wins championship in his honour

Yes indeed a shock and he was not exactly old at 56.

RIP Paul Bird

[Everso Biggyballies]

Former Peugeot WRC boss Corrado Provera dies aged 82

Corrado Provera, the former head of Peugeot Sport who led the French brand to success in the World Rally Championship, has died aged 82.




The Italian started his career as a journalist prior to a spell working in public relations, but he is perhaps best known in motorsport for managing Peugeot’s return to the WRC in 1999.

Provera initially worked for Chrysler Italy, progressing his way up through the ranks at the manufacturer before it was bought by Peugeot.

After being named head of Peugeot Sport, he led the marque back to the WRC, where it had previously enjoyed success in the Group B era, winning back-to-back titles in 1985-1986.

Under Provera’s leadership, Peugeot won 27 WRC rallies from 1999-2005 with 24 of those delivered by the impressive 206 WRC before the brand introduced the 307 WRC from 2004.

These victories helped Peugeot to three consecutive manufacturers titles from 2000-2002 and two drivers’ titles claimed by Finland’s Marcus Gronholm.

Provera retired from the role after Rally Sweden in 2005 handing the reins of the Peugeot Sport team over to Jean-Pierre Nicolas, ahead of the car maker withdrawing from the WRC at the end of the season.

While Provera enjoyed success in WRC, he played a key role in Peugeot’s Formula 1 engine programme from 1994.


Rally winner and 2002 World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm (FIN) / Timo Rautiainen (FIN) Peugeot 206 WRC

The firm initially supplied engines to McLaren before switching to Jordan and latterly the Prost Grand Prix squad, before Peugeot pulled the plug on its programme after 115 grands prix in favour of a factory WRC programme.

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/form ... /10543452/

Peugeot Sport:

“It is with great regret that we learn of the passing of Corrado Provera,” read a statement from Peugeot Sport. “His years at the head of Peugeot Sport were marked by his charisma and energy. We send our sincere condolences to his family and all those who knew him.”

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem: “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the former head of the Peugeot World Rally Championship programme Corrado Provera. On behalf of the FIA, we extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”


RIP Corrado Provera.