Will Hoy - sad news (merged)

[marcus]

very sad news indeed, I didnt really see alot of his racing only a few BTCC races but enjoyed what I did see , a sad day not only in motorsport but life in general.

he will be greatly missed.

RIP WILL

[Stuart Hill]

Whilst I never met Will while he was racing, i did have the opportunity to chat with him whilst he was doing a Motorsport programme on Hillclimbing at Prescott. neither he or any of his film crew gave any of us on post the mearest hint of trouble and he went out of his way to make sure that they were not "in-our-way" during the meeting. As had been said previously, Motorsport has lost a true gentleman and is that much poorer because of it.

My condolences to his wife and family, for what they are worth, but i truly feel sorry for British Motorsport. We have lost as much as his family have.

RIP Will.

[shinchley]

I've just been out with my mates havig a good time
Then i read this , it brings me back down to earth . it is not fair , Will was one of a kind , and i will always look up to him . I just cant beleave it ...

Lets all just spair a moment to remember him ....

RIP WILL, A TRUE BTCC LEGEND.

[Amaroo Park]

Very sad news, Condolences to his family and freinds.

The world is now 1 more Touring Car driver short.

[SPOONERBORO]

All my thoughts go to Will's family at such a sensitive time of year. A Character who will be greatly missed amongst the touring car world and who's legacy of being one of the 'good old boys' from the 90's will live on. Life is so hard.....

[SPOONERBORO]

...

[MaxxUK]

A genuinely nice guy, he'll be much missed.

[Cosworth_RS]

Terrible News

Rest In Peace Will.

[KA]

Terrible news indeed- condolences to Will's family and friends. There's never a good time of year to lose someone, but somehow it seems worse at Christmas when it's supposed to be a happy time for everyone.....

I've been watching Will race for close to 20 years, and remeber him as much as a sportscar racer as for his BTCC achievements- I think the first time I saw him drive was at Silverstone in 1985 (about the second meeting I ever went to) in one of Roy Baker's Group C Tiga-Fords. Sadly, Roy also passed away earlier this week. RIP to them both- two of the true gentlemen of the sport

[Ian Smith]

I sit hear with tears rolling down my face, remembering the personal message I received from Will when I was in hospital after suffering a stroke, and also the great greeting at my first meeting after recovery. A great and wonderfull man,who will be sorely missed both as a person and as a driver.
REST IN PEACE WILL!!

[adstubbs]

I've only just seen the news on Autosport, I can only echo the sentiments already expressed, and the shock of it all. He'll be greatly missed by many, and my heart goes out to his family. To lose someone at this time of year is one of the very cruellest tricks that life can play.

[garcon]

Just heard on Radio 5 Live. Sad, sad news.

Sincerest condolences to Will's family and his many friends.

[Lorna]

He will always exist in thousands of memories. A fine chappy and a great motorsport driver.

Thoughts and prayers to Will's family. I, and so many others are thinking of you during this difficult time.

*Hugs*

[Steve Tarrant]

Jackie and I had the pleasure of working with Will in 1995-1997 as members of the merchandising units that supported him at BTCC rounds, and he was always a gentleman, signing autographs and having the time to answer any question asked.

And after my own marshalling accident in 2000, we met up at Goodwood and he was so pleased that I'd started the road to recovery.

This is indeed a sad loss at so early an age. To his wife and family, we aso wish to add our deepest sympathies at this time. He will be sorely missed.

[Erdosfreak]

Will was a person who brought character to the pit lane like no other. A truely great racer and human being. The last time I saw him race was the 1999 final of BTCC that great scrap with Neal, Radermecker and Muller in sub standard machinery showed his talent.
But also this year he stayed among the BTCC with Arena motorsport and
his enthusiastic commentry kept us listening.
Will you'll be deeply missed.

[Down F0rce]

this news is a total shock to the system. RIP Will Hoy.

[bingleton]

A very sad loss . British motorsport has lost a great driver , character and a gentleman on and off the track .

[Reido Rules]

I met Will on a couple of occasions, but the time/image that sticks in my mind at the moment was when I met him at Silverstine, and Mansell was racing, all the fans, were chasing Nige, and there was Will, sat alone on a chair just outside the garage with a smile on his face, greeting anyone who walked past. Anytime he was asked for an autograph he would ablige with a wide smile. Which these days is quite rare.

Although it wasn't the greatest race I've ever seen, his win in the Mondeo at Silverstone, was a stunning drive, considering the car, the conditions, and the huge margin he pulled out over the rest, without mistake.

RIP Will- Not only a great racer, but a great bloke!

[flags]

i'm saddened by the terrible news,a great bloke and a real gentleman.he will be missed by everyone who ever met him or watched him compete.my sympathy to his family and friends...byron matthews

[MGF]

This is really sad news

Will, it has to be said, was one of the nicest blokes to ever grace a touring car grid.... A gentleman in a sea of premadonna's.

My favourite memories of him will be the marvelous insights into racing that he gave through commentating on TV and watching him from the trackside give his all, and embarasing quite a few other much fancied runners, in an un-competetive Laguna at Thruxton.


All of my condolences and thoughts are with his nearest and dearest.

RIP Will.... The sport has lost a true hero

[Spudgun]

I am shocked and saddened by this news. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.

He was one of a rare breed. A fighter in the car, but a real nice bloke outside it.

Will, you will be sorely missed..

[Griffin]

Only just heard the news. Such a sad loss of a great man and racing driver.


Condolences to all his family and friends.

[pink69]

Such a shame. i can sympathise with his family, cause I'm in a similar place at the moment. Will will be sorely missed.

[racer69]

1991 was the first time i had seen very much of the BTCC, the first time the review video was available in Australia. I was very impressed by his dominence of the 1991 season, and it's shame that he wasn't able to add to the tally, as he proved many times that he was one of the better drivers in the BTCC. Silverstone 1998 as Michael H mentioned was a fantastic drive.

[Woolley]

I've only just heard this news, and had not even known he was ill. Usually when you hear of the death of a famous person, there is merely an acknowledgement of the fact, perhaps some good thoughts about what they've done. A few, very few, make you sit down with a genuine feeling of loss, and Will is in that category.

I was fortunate to have met Will on three brief occasions and he was always friendly and approachable. Once was on the grid immediately before the first race of the Touring Car season. When all the other drivers seemed to be uptight and nervous, Will was calm and relaxed. Sitting in his Mondeo, he had the tallest "Grid Girl" you've ever seen standing in front of him, such that the only view he had was from the top of her boots to the bottom of her shorts. He called me over and asked if I knew what the competition had been, because he had clearly won!

In a sport where drivers are categorised as either 'Professional' or 'Gentleman' Will was one of the very few who were genuinely both. He will be much missed. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.