RIP Frank Collins

http://www.flickr.co...N07/8035880239/

I am sorry to have to report the death of my father Frank Collins who was known to several members of this forum. He passed away peacefully in hospital on Wednesday after a battle with cancer and more latterly lung fibrosis bought on by the chemotherapy. Dad started competing with the Harrow Car Club in the mid 50s with a Frazer Nash BMW, taking part in rallies, autotests and races including the annual 8 clubs meeting at Silverstone. He moved on through various cars including a BMW 700, Jowett Jupiter, Fairthorpe Electron Minor, Ford Anglia fitted with a Lotus Twin Cam, and an early Mallock U2. He won a few trophies over the years particularly in the Fairthorpe and the Anglia, he was one of the three original Fairthorpe `works` team drivers along with Peter Butt and John Green. In the 70s he bought the ex-Westune Racing Ford Anglia and fitted a twin cam engine that he bought from his old friend John Green, who by then was building the Daren Sportscars. The Anglia was used to good effect in sprints and race meetings, again he became a regular at the 8 clubs event which he loved. Frank has been the Vice President of the Fairthorpe Sports Car Club for many years, a post he was most honoured to hold. I was lucky to be able to find and purchase the Fairthorpe he built and raced - registered 789 ERO - some years ago and restore it so he was able to enjoy doing a few Classic car runs in his later years, taking his last drive in it on a beautiful sunny afternoon only four weeks ago.
..................Martin Collins

Edited by kartman24, 29 September 2012 - 15:40.

Well I'm one of those who remember Frank (and Martin of course) as a comptitor at the Eight Clubs which I watched, then marshalled and for many years handicapped.
Harrow Car Club was a founder member of the Eight Clubs and they (with the other 7 Clubs) invented it so that their members like Frank could go racing.
Frank's other Club, the Fairthorpe SCC was a member of the Combined One-Make CC which took over one of the Eight Clubs memberships so he was doubly eligible. What's more the idea was always that people could race anything and the organisers would group them into races for cars of similar performance and Frank's Electron Minor and Twin-Cam Anglia were exactly the sorts of car for the meeting.

I was pleased to have made slight contact with Frank a year and a half or so ago via TNF and Martin as with the demise of the Eight Clubs there are not the occasions to meet that there were. I am so sorry to hear of his passing, and in particular the manner of it, which sounds rather grim.

I don't know Frank or Martin but am always touched by such fates anyway.

Sorry for your loss, Martin, and RIP to your father.