Another Sad Day

Last week my long time and very good friend John Bloxham sadly passed away. John was well known in Motorsport from the rallying glory days of the 1960’s & 70’s, and was the RAC National Champion, the Motoring News Champion, and the BTRDA Gold Star Champion all in 1969, I think a unique achievement. In 1970, he competed in the London to Mexico rally sponsored by JCB.

John used many cars in competition during that period with many successes, which included Escorts, Fiat 131, Mini Cooper S, Jolley Club Lancia Fulvia, Saab and Fiat Strada, which he converted from a transverse engine layout to rear wheel drive.

John and I started proper rallying together in 1961-2 having joined a local Car Club, using various types and makes of cars as his family ran a local Garage who were at that time Renault and Fiat dealers, and later Saab.

Some of you may have met John when he visited Stoneleigh with me in 2019, when my LB was on their stand, and he sat in on the AGM.

I attach a photo of a car we used to compete in senior club and national rallies in 1963-4.

Robin.Attachment 17813

It's very sad when a good friend passes away. As I've said often, at least you had those times and enjoyed each other's company, and nothing can take that away.

Robin already knows this bit, but for everyone else - he introduced me to John on the LB stand at the 2019 Stoneleigh event. I didn't realise just who he was, although the name rang a bell somewhere, and it was only later that it dawned on me....I've spent the last two years wondering if he thought I actually was as big an arse as I probably came across as :-O (and you can all shut up now, thanks :-P)

He was certainly an ace driver, cos how the L he could see where he was going through all those trophies stuck on the bonnet is beyond me...

All Motoring News Championship Road Rally contenders were heroes to me, none less than John Bloxham...