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28 Jul 2014, 06:21 (Ref:3439156) | #3 | ||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 13,206
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I've watched Denis race, Austin Healeys in particular, with a lot of success for many years but only met him for the first time this year. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
RIP, Denis |
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28 Jul 2014, 06:34 (Ref:3439163) | #4 | ||
Ten-Tenths Hall of Fame
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,830
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Colourful cars, colourful trucks, colourful family. RIP Denis, my condolences to all family and friends.
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Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. (Einstein) |
28 Jul 2014, 06:38 (Ref:3439165) | #5 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,909
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Always loved watching Denis race his healey when I was a kid, brilliant fun watching him slide it around, condolences to his family, friends and collegues at welch motorsport, he will be sorely missed. RIP
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28 Jul 2014, 07:06 (Ref:3439172) | #6 | ||
The Honourable Mallett
20KPINAL
Join Date: Feb 1999
Posts: 37,289
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I've watched him and shared a track with him, even purchased some of his products. Very sad to read this news. RIP Denis and my sincere condolences to all of his family and friends.
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I've decided to stop reaching out to people. I'm just going to contact them instead. |
28 Jul 2014, 07:35 (Ref:3439176) | #7 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Sad news. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this terrible time. Thoughts also go out to the marshals, medics and officials involved.
RIP Dave |
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Dave Eley Flag & Experienced Marshal |
28 Jul 2014, 08:05 (Ref:3439191) | #8 | |
Racer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 151
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RIP Denis We had some great races together
Benn Simms |
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28 Jul 2014, 08:12 (Ref:3439194) | #9 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 578
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Only knew Denis from a distance but he seemd always to have a smile and a nod for folk. A great loss to his family and our motorsport.
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28 Jul 2014, 08:21 (Ref:3439196) | #10 | |
Rookie
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 70
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Last Wednesday night on the way down to Silverstone on the M1, Denis and I raced each other in our respective motorhomes... he won as normal.
Reaching Silverstone he realised that I was going to have to get in that massive motorhome queue, so Denis being Denis told the guy on the gate I was with him and I too jumped the line and headed off to the BRDC camper park. We were only joking about it Sunday morning... One of the first guys I ever met in historic racing and at the age of 15 when you saw him hold a Healey sideways down the main straight at Donington, well you don't forget that. Just a good bloke. Andy. Last edited by John Turner; 28 Jul 2014 at 09:53. Reason: Amendment at poster's request |
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28 Jul 2014, 08:25 (Ref:3439198) | #11 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,685
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I never raced against Denis, but was often in the same race if you know what I mean. It doesn't lessen the tragedy, but I'll bet he was having fun. My sincerest condolences to the family, and also the staff at his company.
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Semper ubi sub ubi |
28 Jul 2014, 09:24 (Ref:3439224) | #12 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 677
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Good bye Old Friend.
I have just learned of this tragic event. I am in shock. Terrible terrible news.
Gerry Taylor. |
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28 Jul 2014, 10:19 (Ref:3439240) | #13 | |
Racer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 151
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I remember a HSCC Oulton Park Gold cup meet when I was a young kid of around 14 I'd guess, I was out riding my bike somewhere near the woods and heard the distinctive rumble of 3 litres I peddled off to deers leap to watch as the mighty Healey arrived majestically broadside under total control of Denis. A True master of the broadside. I remember rushing back to tell dad all about it.
About three years back I raced him at the classic in the FJ race we had such an almighty race it was all I could do in final laps to hang on to him in his Lotus and by luck I just piped him to the line we were inches apart on the last few laps often sliding in unison with not so much as a touch we had total confidence in each other. He was not amused to be beaten by a Drum braked car and this was before the new track limit rule, I was a little wide to say the least over the line on the final lap. He was rather unhappy that the result stood but after a few minutes soon calmed down and we had a chat about the race. Benn |
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28 Jul 2014, 10:29 (Ref:3439245) | #14 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 246
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Terrible news.
My thoughts with his Family. |
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and the answer to last weeks question...........................was with a warm spoon! |
28 Jul 2014, 11:03 (Ref:3439257) | #15 | |
Rookie
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 31
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DENIS WELCH
We in the Grant family are devasted with this terrible news. I first met Denis in the early 80.s when I was a 21 year old racing my big Healey. The sight and sound of Denis drifting his big Healey(Bulldog) round the circuits of Britain was stunning it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
He and Tina always found time for my dad who now in his 80's would call round at the motorhome for a chat probaly at the most inconveinent time but Denis stopped what he was doing and gave him some of his time anyway.When my son Callum started racing Denis always gave him encouragement and found time to watch the occasional race, Callum enjoyed chatting to him and I always felt Denis enjoyed it too. Denis Welch has always been a part of the historic Motorsport world for as long as I can remember and I can't imagine racing without him or probaly don't want too. Our hearts go out to Tina, Jeremy and Tim and the rest of the Welch family, we will miss him. I have always considered Denis to be a "Legend Of Historic racng" and I will remember him as just that. |
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28 Jul 2014, 13:51 (Ref:3439313) | #16 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,350
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My condolences to his family and friends. Sad, sad news. RIP.
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Ian Chalmers, Maker of circuit flags. |
28 Jul 2014, 15:32 (Ref:3439345) | #17 | ||
Pit Lane Hooter
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,443
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We've known Denis since the Healey days. He always had time to stop and chat and we would always make a point of finding him in the paddock. A top bloke and historic racing has got very much poorer with this sad news.
RIP Denis and all our best wishes to his family and very many friends. Mind you, that race track in the sky won't know what's hit it! |
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Too old and too past it - now if only I could remember what "it" is! But I do know I'm now Mrs Turnbull. |
29 Jul 2014, 08:13 (Ref:3439581) | #18 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 195
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I'm just coming to terms with the dreadful news on Sunday. My team and I at Copse were having a great day watching some epic races until events unfolded.
My thoughts are with the family and my marshal colleagues who attended the accident. Rest in peace Denis, we are going to miss you and Bulldog. |
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A common mistake that people make when trying to make something foolproof is to under estimate the ingenuity of complete fools. DA. |
29 Jul 2014, 09:53 (Ref:3439613) | #19 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 264
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Such a lovely man, such a wonderful driver – it was a privilege to share a track with him (even though I only ever saw the back of his car from a distance...).
Condolences to Tina and the family. |
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29 Jul 2014, 13:42 (Ref:3439702) | #20 | |
Rookie
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 30
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Andrew and I are so sad to hear this tragic news. We have very many fond memories. We were both lucky enough to share a race track with Denis in FJ, he was always willing to give me advice to help my race craft. I remember the day he melted my shoes in the Bulldog and we had so many chats over a glass or two with him and Tina. After Andrew's accident in 2005 Denis and Tina gave us constant, much needed support.
It seems hard to accept we will never see that happy, smiling face again. Tina and the family are very much in our thoughts at this very difficult time. |
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30 Jul 2014, 20:13 (Ref:3440207) | #21 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 105
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A great loss to British and International historic racing.
First met Denis over twenty years ago when I started marshaling at Brands, and he would always stop for a chat - as interested in what I'd been doing as I was keen to hear about his latest outings. Well remember the Bulldog and other cars he enjoyed competing with, alongside the engineering expertise he obviously passed on to Jeremy and others... I was at the Classic (paddock marshal) with my son, and enjoyed - as always - a chat with Denis only about ten minutes before the start of Race 2. Condolences to Tina, Jeremy and Tim - I know all the marshals will join the whole historic racing community in saluting a great guy and a great racer... MB. |
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paddock.one 25 years in orange, and still learning... |
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