News obituaries
RON COTTRELL, 1957-2017 The motorsport community will be saddened to learn of the death of Ron Cottrell. Born with cerebral palsy, Ron was a pupil at Valence School for Handicapped Children, the venue used by the local Sevenoaks & District Motor Club to organise an annual speed hill climb. It was this event and the late John Surtees dropping by at the school that fired Ron’s lifetime passion for motorsport. Ron soon got involved in the hill climb; once he got mobile in an Invacar, Ron spent all day buzzing about fetching and carrying. With his trade mark tartan cap he was a familiar figure at motorsport events, particularly in the South East. Come the time when his mobility was starting to drift away he retired and was delighted to become an MSA Official d’Honneur. Typically for Ron he took the role seriously, seeing it as a responsibility for him to act in an ambassadorial role while visiting many events. Undoubtedly a pain in the neck, such was a factor in the success Ron made of his life. Ron was other things, too: caring, generous and an inspiration to all. Most people who knew Ron will have a few ‘Ron stories’ and will remember him with a laugh or two and as someone who simply endeavoured to get on with life despite the cards with which he had been dealt. Paying tribute to Ron, Sir Jackie Stewart said: “Ron was a remarkable man who lived an incredible life, considering his disabilities. His enthusiasm for motorsport was immense, as was his bravery, in putting up with all that his illness created. It’s a sadness that Ron has passed away, but a blessing that he is no longer in pain.”
SIR JOHN WHITMORE, 1937-2017
The MSA sends its condolences to the family and friends of Sir John Whitmore, who passed away earlier this month. Sir John was a star of saloon and sportscar racing, whose achievements included winning the British Saloon Car Championship (BSCC) title in 1961 aboard an 848cc BMC Morris Mini-Minor that he bought for just £400. Underlining his talent as one of the greatest saloon car exponents of his era, Sir John finished second in the overall classification the following season, just two points behind the late Jack Sears. Further touring cars successes followed in a Lotus Cortina – notably when dominating the European Touring Car Championship in 1965. Sir John retired from the sport at the end of 1966 but, in recent times, had returned to driving at selected historic events.
John Symes
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MSA Extra / May 2017