John Smith

[MartinSmith]

It is with the utmost heavy heart.... I am so numb I cannot speak, but its my sad sad duty to inform you all , that one of the great lights in grass roots Motorsport... and indeed international historic motorsport... motorsport in general, has been extinguished.

John Smith, former International Clerk of The Course, former Race Director HSBC and Masters, Co Founder of The 360 Motor Racing Club, and one of the most genuine men in Motorsport, passed away in the early hours of this morning.

I am understandably numb in truth , I will keep you all posted on things such as wake/ memorial.

God Bless all
Claire

[delta]

So so sorry Claire. RIP John.He was a top bloke.

[chunterer]

Huge condolences Claire.

[Cliff Ryan]

My deepest condolences Claire, I just saw your post on FB and had a horrible feeling, so came on here and my fears were confirmed. RIP John.

[Peter Mallett]

Terrible news Claire. Thanks for letting us know. Was hoping to see him at Donington. RIP John, you will be sorely missed.

[Peter Mallett]

I've taken the liberty of copying this thread to Tributes.

[grantp]

So sorry to hear that Claire.

It was a privilege to have met John a few times and benefited from his help, experience and insights.

As delta said - a top bloke.

[MartinSmith]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I've taken the liberty of copying this thread to Tributes.

Thanks Peter sorry... i didn't think of that x

[Mike Harte]

Condolences to his family.

[John Turner]

Really sad news. It was good to know John, RIP

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by ClaireSmith

Thanks Peter sorry... i didn't think of that x

No worries Claire. Historics is where he'll be remembered most but the wider audience should also be informed.

[Tim Falce]

As I said on FB, deepest condolences to you Claire. I am so sad to hear that one of the nicest, kindest blokes you'd ever wish to meet is no longer with us.

RIP John Smith

[MagnetON]

As I said on the 360 Facebook page: It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I'm commenting on this post. John was a gentleman who lived and loved motorsport. As one of the figureheads of The 360 he brought professionalism and wisdom to proceedings along with common sense and a love of his colleagues, racers, and marshals alike. Any circuit or club that plans a minutes silence for John at a race meeting, please reconsider; rev those engines loud, I'm sure it's what he would have wanted.

[morninggents]

R.I.P. John.

[Mike Bell]

That’s very sad news Claire. Sorry not to have responded earlier but have been driving back from Spa and only just seen the thread.

RIP John and condolences to all family and friends.

[dikko]

From the Historic Formula Ford fraternity this is sad news; John was very influential and respected with us at the HSCC in our early years.

A solid character with a big heart, fair, dependable, straightforward and therefore reliable which we really appreciated and made him part of our racing history.
Goodbye John. THANKS. Dick Dixon HFF

[zefarelly]

R.I.P. John, a lovely man, and most encouraging toward me when I first started racing.

[Terence Bower]

Very sad to read this, really helpful to many people including getting me involved in Safety Car driving.
Thank you so much John, RIP, you will be sorely missed by many.

[MartinSmith]

All,

I am hoping to compile a film tribute to John Smith which will be shown at the wake (still not confirmed when that is but we will let you all know as soon as possible ) but also the film will be available on the 360 Website, but I need your help, if you have any pictures of you with him or indeed of him etc,

if you would like them included then can you send them to me via PM here or to my e mail (PM me for) then that would be great.

Thanks
Claire

[MartinSmith]

After considerable time, we can now announce that the funeral of John Gregory Smith will take place on
Tuesday 9 July 2019 at 13:00 at

Tunbridge Wells Crematorium
Benhall Mill Rd
Tunbridge Wells
TN2 5JJ. following this service, we will then celebrate Johns life at
Brands Hatch Circuit
Fawkham
Longfield
Kent
DA3 8NG

John specifically asked for no flowers but instead if you would like, you can make a donation to The Stroke Association or The Motorsports Safety Fund (of which John was a trustee.)

Whilst black is usually worn out of respect, this is a celebration of his life and as such, it is not a necessity, the choice is yours.

We regret that seeing John at the funeral directors will not be possible.

If you are attending please RSVP to me so that I may know for numbers.

Thank you again.

[delta]

Thanks for posting this up Claire . I should like to come . Very fitting to be at Brands Hatch . Kind regards Iain

[Tim Falce]

Agree with Iain, many thanks for posting and all the organisation, I'll be there as well.

[Peter Mallett]

I hope the day goes well. A life well worth celebrating. Sadly I will be in foreign fields but I will be there in spirit.

[Mike Bell]

Thanks for letting us know, Claire. I’m also elsewhere on the day, unfortunately, heading for Hungary.

I’ll be thinking of John on the day, and hope he gets a good send off at Brands.

[ChrisA]

Just heard the very sad news of Johns passing. A good friend, always available for a chat. Like Terry, helped me into safety car work too. RIP John