Don Lawrence

[Clive]

It is sad to announce that Don lawrence has passed away and I would like to pay tribute to the gentleman he was and for the many years he put into marshalling. Well over 40 I believe. Don was 82 and still active, although he had curtailed his marshalling activities somewhat.

He will be missed, especailly by us at the MG Car Club where he was Chief Observer for many years.

RIP Don. I salute you

Clive Wayland
MGCC Chief Marshal

[neil_davidson2]

Well said Clive.

Rest In Peace, Don, you will always be a true gentleman.

[Stone-kicker]

R.I.P. Don.

[The Fat Clerk]

A very sad loss indeed, Rest in Peace Don.

[Firefox]

I first met Don(together with son Paul) nearly 30 years ago at a very foggy Silverstone and had the great pleasure of working with him over the years especially with the team in race control at the GP until as Clive said Don reduced his activities a couple of years ago. Don always remained calm and polite despite the pressure of this environment.

Don will be missed by his many friends at Silverstone and other circuits. My sincere condolences to his family at this very sad time.

[ChrisA]

A great loss to the world of marshalling. A friend and colleague. R.I.P. Don.

[AndyT]

A big loss. RIP Don

[dave vass]

This is very sad news indeed. I had the pleasure of knowing Don for most of his years as a marshal and Chief Observer, and what a lovely man he was. He will be sorely missed by all those that worked with him, particularly at Silverstone.
The last time I spoke to Don was at the Walter Hayes where with his continued enthusiasm for the sport, he presented the Don Lawrence Trophy to the driver who set the fastest lap. Let's hope this trophy can be retained and given as an annual award in his memory.
My sincere condolences to Paul and family.

[Gerryc]

A lovely man and fantastic advertisment for all that is good about Marshalling R.I.P. Don and condolences to all his family.

[Cornerworker]

A true gent and a honour to have known you. Rest in Peace Don.

[Harry S.Tinkler]

Don was a true gentleman and friend to all. I will always remember him for his friendship when I used to Observe at Silverstone for some years and at the GP's. He was always helpful to all marshal's and the sport has lost a great ambassador. It was a pleasure & honour to have known him.

[colincragg]

I can only agree with what everybody above has said Don was a true gentleman and somebody I knew from when I started marshalling in the early seventies. He was also one of the people who helped and encouraged me when I started observing. He was always there with advice and help when needed. I have not seen him for several years but always asked after him when I see Paul at the circuits. A very sad loss he will be sadly missed. RIP Don and thank you.

[Pete Howarth]

RIP Don.

[Piglet]

Such sad news, as many have said, Don was the consummate gentleman. He and his late wife Gwen made me very welcome when I first became involved in the sport.

Much love to all the family.

Piglet x

[flags]

we dont meet many gentlemen in this life...but don was one !....he will be sadly missed.

[JimW]

Great gentleman and someone I was always pleased to see at a meeting because you knew that everything he did would be done well and in the most friendly fashion possible.

I knew him from my earliest days marshalling when he was a great observer and subsequently when he was one of the best senior officials that the BRDC had.

Condolences to Paul and family.

Jim Whitaker

[Shelagh]

Sincere condolences.

Bill and Shelagh

[DavidBritainUK]

Farewell Don, your honesty, good humour and kindness will be missed.

[JonT]

Sad news and another link with the past is gone. I also knew him from my earliest days marshalling. He was an excellent observer and senior official for the BRDC.

He was also an excellent course marshal when he came to my post at Brands Hatch for the Formula Ford Festival.

Condolences to Paul and family.

Jon Tillott

[scoop]

To all of you who have posted messages, can I express sincere thanks from all of the family - the messages really are appeciated. It is great to know that so many people have good memories of him.

Dad started marshalling in 1966 after being a spectator at the British Grand Prix and was one of the early members of the Silverstone ES team under Phil Morom - remember the silver suits?

After that he worked as a flag marshal, observer, did some time on a rescue unit, and was then later chief observer, notably for the BRDC and, right up until 2008, the MG Car Club and Peterborough Motor Club.

His passing leaves an enormous void in our lives, but it is wonderful to know that he touched so many people in the sport he loved. He would be very surprised, but ever so pleased (and slightly embarrassed), to read these messages.

If anyone would like funeral details, please just drop me an e-mail at: paul @ tfmmedia.com

Thanks again

Paul Lawrence

[Woolley]

I remember Don at the World Touring Car Cup at Donington many years ago. I was in the pitline directly under race control when a Spanish Vauxhall experienced a small brake fire. Having extinguished it, and feeling pretty good about the whole thing I heard a tapping on the window above me, and received a sign that I should make may way upstairs. I was greeted by Don who'd watched the whole thing, and asked me if I had a grading card that needed signing - happily I was training for what was then called 'fire' so he signed it straight away and congratulated me on my efforts.

I mention it because the memory has remained with me as one of the highlights of my marshalling life not because of the incident itself, but because Don made me feel really good about it. A lovely man, thank you for helping to inspire a young marshal.

[PeterM]

Knew Don for many years. Great man. Was having a long chat with him at the WHT. A sad loss.

[The Flagman]

Don's signature appeared on a number of my record cards during my early days on circuits. Always a pleasure to work with - got encouraging feedback anf guidance that was great for my development.

Hope he's still the Observer when I arrive for training in our next life.

David Morgan

[M Greenslade]

Top Bloke - RIP

Bladders....................