Vale - Neil Thompson

[PVDA]

Neil Thompson, Victorian Flagmarshalling Team Member, CAMS State Council Member and member of the State Officiating Panel passed away over night.

Here are a few of the tribute E-mails, first from the Victorian Flagmarshalling Team of which Neil was a founding member;

The Committee of the VFT was saddened to hear of the passing of Neil Thompson overnight.

Neil was a long standing member of the VFT, one of those who joined the club in its inaugural year. Neil was made a life member in 2003 recognising his outstanding support to the club on various Committees and panels. His experience and enthusiasm for motor sport will be sorely missed.

Our thoughts go out to Neil's family and friends at his sudden loss.


And from the CAMS State Manager Garry Grant;

The Victorian State Office of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Ltd. was saddened to learn that Neil Thompson passed away suddenly last night.

Neil was a member of the Victorian State Council, the Victorian State Officiating Panel and Victorian Flagmarshalling Team.

His contribution to the wellbeing of motor sport in this country was exemplary. His passion, commitment and convivial personality will be sadly missed.

Our thoughts go out to Neil's family and friends.


And finally one from me;

Neil, we had our moments in the 20 or so years we've known each other and I miss you already. I'll miss your infectious enthusiasm for Motorsport and we will be poorer for your loss.

My condolences to Neil's family & large group of friends both in and outside Motorsport.

Mod's, please leave this in the Australian section for a while before consigning it to the tributes area to allow a wider Australian audience to see it as Neil had many friends and collegues thoughout Australia.

I'll post Funeral details once they are announced.

[BOOSTER]

australian motorsport owes a lot to the officials that give so much of there time for free, we will be forever in debt.

[inpitlane]

I'm stunned. Neil was a very good friend and supporter of In Pit Lane over the years and this is truely a great shock. To all Neil's family and friends at the VFT our deepest condolences.

[SkaifeysGal]

my deepest condolences to Neil's family and friends

[Trevor]

I am confident that I would have met Neil, but without seeing his face I can't recall.

It is always very sad when a member of the huge number of motorsport volunteers dies, so like everyone else, my condolences to his family and friends.

[PVDA]

Neil is probably best known to the masses as the official who refereed the infamous Longhurst/Morris boxing match at Winton all those years ago.

Neil worked as a Sector Marshall at many F1GP's, countless V8 & smaller events in Victoria as well being selected to go to Bahrain and Darwin. Neil was also one of the Starters at the Thunderdome and worked at Indy.

With all the phone calls I've been making and receiving today it's reminded me that we are one big family in motorsport no matter which fence you sit on.

[XW GT]

I am saddened at Neil's passing and would also like to offer my condolences to his family and friends. During the past fifteen years or so I have on many occasion had to call on Niel's motor sport knowledge to assist me with "officialdom" at race meetings.
Niel's enthusiasm and knowledge will be sadly missed. Rest in peace mate.

[Uncle Cranker]

Wow, the cranky little bloke is gone.

He & I didn't always see eye to eye, but his committment & passion were unwavering.

As PVDA mentioned, Thommo was assistant starter at the Thunderdome, right smack bang in the middle of the CAMS vs Bob Jane wars of the 90's, and Thommo stood his ground, believing in what he did.
An interesting , but highly commendable stance.

I for one will miss his, at times acid tongue, or perhaps that was only directed at my Sh1t stirring.

geez thommo, wherever you are now cobber, I hope the bloke in charge has a race meeting organised for this week-end.



P.S., BTW, my boss never found about about all that free diesel I put into you bulldozer all those years ago either, mate........




RIP, Neil Thompson, another of our group of motorsport nut's gone.

[Matt H]

What a shock.

Neil was a great bloke. could take a joke and could easyly give it back.

wealth of experience and knowledge, and didnt waste any time in sharing it.

condolences to his family and to all those who benefited from his knowledge.

RIP

[dmcl]

Sad news indeed
Neil was one of the many tireless workers who gave much more than asked of him over the years. Talking to him last week, he was looking forward to the fact that he was about to be fairly active with the Commonwealth Games as a volunteer. Include that with his involvement with the Air Training Corps and the various involvements on the many committees, he certainly gave his time to help others.
RIP Thommo - we will miss you

[miata]

Trying to think of something to say but nothing comes.
Our "Uncle Neil" would never believe that I could be short for words.
We shall miss you dearly.
Love,
Phil, Megan, Lyndsay and Declan

[BFC]

going to miss Thommo ......who are we going to hang the "short" jokes on now????

[Heather Wallace]

The Staff of Winton Motor Raceway and the Committee of the Benalla Auto Club were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Thompson.

Neil was active member of the family of motorsport and has been involved at Winton for many, many years and his commitment to motorsport is respected by all.

Neil has supported all forms of motorsport from circuit racing, AGP, Indy Cars, Thunderdome to name a few.

We pass on our condolences to his family, the VFT and all his friends in motorsport.

His friendly nature, the wealth of his knowledge of and contribution to motorsport will be missed by all.

[Woolley]

I met a Neil in the pit lane at Surfer's last October, would this be the same person? Very friendly, chap if so, one of many who made me feel welcome. Many condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

[275 GTB-4]

Can't believe this.....I said hello to Neil at Phillip Island only a couple of weeks back....he looked chipper enough. I appreciated the assistance Neil and others gave me when I wanted to flag in VIC...

[PVDA]

This would be Thommo, taken from the www.vicflag.org.au website

[sevi]

Originally Posted by Woolley

I met a Neil in the pit lane at Surfer's last October, would this be the same person? Very friendly, chap if so, one of many who made me feel welcome. Many condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Yes this is the same guy, he was starter at this event.
My condolences to his family, and friends that shared the same passion with him, another one of the motorsport family to leave us way to soon.

[Lance]

From Lance, Bryce.(bookend 1 & 2)
To PVDA, Uncle Cranker and all the others, we are just blown away at the depth of the feelings shown and we concur 100%. This guy was a great mate to both of us and we can not even begin to imagine what it will be like with out him in our lives. We have been reliably informed that Mrs T is blown away by all the support and well wishes. Big Baz requests that all Seniors that will be attending this great blokes funeral come in your old grand prix uniform (the bumble bee one - Yellow, black and white)
Turns 2 and 4 at Sandown will never be the same.
We love you bloke and will miss you beyond belief.

[PVDA]

From today's Herald Sun.

Family & friends of the late Neil Morgan Thompson are advised his Funeral Service will be held in the Boyd Chapel, Springvale Crematorium, Prices Hwy, Springvale on TUESDAY (Mar. 7, 2006) commencing at 2 p.m.

Fittingly the Springvale Crematorium is across the road from Sandown and I'm told the after service gathering may be at the Sandown Park Hotel but no doubt we'll work that out on the day.

See you all there.

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by PVDA

I'm told the after service gathering may be at the Sandown Park Hotel

I've just got confirmation that the after service gathering will be at the Sandown Park Hotel which is directly across the road from the cemetary and a very short distance from the Gum Tree flag point at Sandown which was the sector Neil worked at the 500 last year.

I've been asked to let everyone know to not leave your cars parked inside the cemetary area after the service as the gates are locked at 4pm.

Motorsport Chaplain Mark Bateman is the contact point for motorsport people who may have any queries about the service or ring me and I'll chase up any thing for you (my mobile number is in the book).


Neil waving the Chequered flag at the Bathurst 24 Hour Race.

[PVDA]

I'll try posting that photo again, hopefully it works this time.....



Thommo waving the Chequered Flag at the 24 Hour at Bathurst.

[PVDA]

I've been asked to post the following by "The Bear"

The Air Cadets, which Neil was heavily involved in, are organising a guard of honour for him at the service on Tuesday and Barry has asked for those of us in motorsport to wear our uniforms if possible.

All indications are it will be a large turn out and they are arranging for the Chapel PA system to be piped outside so those who can find a spot inside can hear the service.

[Denosaur]

Neil, at what was one of his favourite events.





Photo's courtesy of Inetpics http://www.inetpics.com/

[pitlane 3]

Here is Neil at Bathurst 24 hour race in 2002.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...4/DCP00585.jpg

Neil, thanks for the memories.
From the Kubanator Kountry Klub

[Lance]

Its one year ago that Australian motor sport lost a very dedicated official
For those that are vague his greatest claim to fame is being the ref between Longhurst & Morris at Winton.
Neil was into every part of this great sport and loved it with a passion
It is clear that his passion was unprecedented.
For those in the loop Mrs T could sure do with a call today
Regards Lance