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RIP Allan Staniforth


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#1 Pat Clarke

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 07:23

I hate to have to tell you this but my old mate Stanny slipped away on Saturday after a short illness.
The only guy I have been kicked out of a pub with, and we weren't even drunk, just laughing our heads off over the suggestion that there was a typo on the cover of his first book, that it should really have been 'Low Speed, High Cost'.

Farewell Stanny, we will miss you

Pat Clarke

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#2 CoulthardD

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 07:33

The paddock at Harewood will be the poorer without him. Very sad news.

DC

#3 Terry Walker

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 07:47

High Speed Low Cost! The famous string computer. What a book that was. I wish I still had my copy.

Thanks for the pleasure you gave me, Allan, and you didn't even know me.

#4 Tim Murray

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 07:58

I think I've still got my copy somewhere - I too thought the 'string computer' was very clever. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

#5 Stephen W

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 08:37

Allan Staniforth is highly respected throughout motor sport and his passing will be mourned world wide.

He was one of the kindest and jolliest person I have ever met and I will miss our chats.

:cry:

#6 bradbury west

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 09:46

How old was he? As a callow youth I recall him well at Harewood in the early 60s. A real, old style enthusiast
Roger Lund

#7 Pat Clarke

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 09:51

Stanny was 85 going on 25 :cry:

Pat

#8 Geoff.Harrison

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 14:38

Allan Staniforth is highly respected throughout motor sport and his passing will be mourned world wide.

He was one of the kindest and jolliest person I have ever met and I will miss our chats.

:cry:


Steve's comments say it all - the far end of the top paddock at Harewood will not seem the same without Allan.
How he managed to actually compete was a mystery as he was always talking to someone !

#9 Sharman

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 16:06

It truly saddens me that as the poet said "golden lads and lasses all must, like chimney sweeps all come to dust", I have just looked at my copy of Race and Rally Car Source Book. The dedication reads "To John, An entusiast of the highest Calibre" Cheers Allan, may you find a hill to climb and a sprint to run in.
John

Edited by Sharman, 03 May 2009 - 16:07.


#10 Mistron

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 17:58

funnily enough, I was using a 'string computer' jut the other week, planning a terrapin style project, so was reading over 'high speed, low cost' again.

He was still selling plans I believe.

such a shame to lose one of the few remaining advocates of true DIY race cars. An inspiration to many.



#11 RTH

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 18:10

Excellent book I still have a copy, a return to home built cars would be welcome now.

#12 Doug Nye

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 18:19

He defined enthusiasm and capability. But what a galaxy of great special builders he has joined. Sincere condolences to family and friends...

DCN




#13 Terrapin

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Posted 03 May 2009 - 18:43

Hello to everyone out there who knew Allan personally, by association or had ever read one of his books. This entry is written by his family to let everyone out there know that he died yesterday at 1.30pm from a rare form of lung cancer (not smoking but perhaps methanol fumes related!) His end was painless and he was with his family. He was in his car only 4 weeks ago at a Harewood practice day despite being quite breathless between runs. In true "Stanners" tradition he battled with this terminal illness since January this year and never gave in until the day he was officially diagnosed - he died 20 hours later. This unbelievable determination not only saw the conception and birth of a groundbreaking home build racing car in the 1960's but kept him going until a doctor told him what it was that was causing his symptoms. After being told that "his number was up" he then spent the afternoon with his family discussing his last wishes. He slipped into a coma and then spent the next day "hanging around and being the last one to leave the paddock"
His departure will leave a huge gap in everyones lives but as a family we feel priviliged to have known him a husband, father and grandfather. He is an inspiration to us all. His motoring legacy will we hope be carried on through the community of Terrapin enthusiasts and all DIY designers out there.
His family are hoping, in due course, to formalise some of his life's works on the internet. Also an an memorial meeting at Harewood. He specifically asked for his ashes to be scattered on the track! (yet to be agreed with BARC Yorkshire Centre however!!)
We are anticipating that sets of plans, books and info will be still available through the family.
A huge thank you to everyone out there who has taken the time to think of him and appreciate his contribution to the world of motorsport.
RIP Allan

#14 RogerFrench

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Posted 04 May 2009 - 04:19

Hard to add much to what has gone before, but I feel it only right to recognise the passing of a great and inspirational special-builder. RIP

#15 john aston

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Posted 04 May 2009 - 07:07

I am very sad to hear this , I marshalled hillclimbs a lot in the early 70s- usually on startline at Harewood and I remember Allan's weird and wonderful- and very succesfull racers so well. A good life well lived and my thoughts with his family and friends..

Edited by john aston, 04 May 2009 - 07:08.


#16 amr2

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Posted 04 May 2009 - 15:23

Saddened to learn of Allan's death....as has been said before, Harewood will never be the same again!

I first met him at a talk he gave to the Lotus 7 Club area meeting at Cracoe, many years ago, when he told us so many hilarious tales of his motoring experiences and of his life and works. He could have kept going all night but licensing hours prevented it!

A true gent and he will be sorely missed.

Andrew

#17 Paul Hurdsfield

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Posted 04 May 2009 - 19:01

No words , just sad :( :( :(

#18 Ben

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Posted 04 May 2009 - 19:26

As an ex-Formula Student competitor and now motorsport professional I had the pleasure of buying Stanny's books as a kid, being judged by him as a student and judging with him at Formula Student in Germany in 2007. As Mr Clarke will no doubt remember, we ended up in some beirkeller in Hockenheim until rather late. Stanny ended up falling asleep and was being kept upright by David Gould's shoulder. When he woke up he just carried on with the conversation - pretty good going for a man of his age. A great loss.

Ben

#19 CoulthardD

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Posted 05 May 2009 - 11:03

Does anyone know if any funeral arrangements have been published yet?

DC

Edited by CoulthardD, 05 May 2009 - 11:04.


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#20 Stephen W

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Posted 05 May 2009 - 11:17

Does anyone know if any funeral arrangements have been published yet?

DC


As it was a bank holiday week-end with the Registrar's office being closed yesterday I suspect there will be a slight delay. When my father passed away it was the August Bank Holiday week-end and I couldn't get things sorted until the Tuesday afternoon.



#21 Team Guyson

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Posted 05 May 2009 - 13:00

As it was a bank holiday week-end with the Registrar's office being closed yesterday I suspect there will be a slight delay. When my father passed away it was the August Bank Holiday week-end and I couldn't get things sorted until the Tuesday afternoon.


Funeral arrangements have not been confirmed yet, likely to be Monday Tuesday Wednesday next week, I will try and post as soon as I get details.
Tim

#22 Nick Reeve

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Posted 06 May 2009 - 21:36

Thanks Alan, for the great car you sold me and all the free Knowledge you gave me in setting it up. You then gave me the confidence and support along with Ian Scott to build my own car which, like knowing you, left me with some fantastic memories. You were one in a million, safe trip and say hello to Ayrton for me. :cry: :cry: :cry:

#23 Andrew Greaves

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Posted 07 May 2009 - 07:06

Thanks Alan, for the great car you sold me and all the free Knowledge you gave me in setting it up. You then gave me the confidence and support along with Ian Scott to build my own car which, like knowing you, left me with some fantastic memories. You were one in a million, safe trip and say hello to Ayrton for me. :cry: :cry: :cry:


Just as Nick has said, Thanks Allan for the encouragement to build the ZZandeR, the support, free advice and all the coffee and fruitcake at the Terrapin race shop in Pately. You made motor racing affordable for the ordinary man in the street. What a legacy that is.

#24 Herr Wankel

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Posted 07 May 2009 - 10:28

Thanks Alan, for the great car you sold me and all the free Knowledge you gave me in setting it up. You then gave me the confidence and support along with Ian Scott to build my own car which, like knowing you, left me with some fantastic memories. You were one in a million, safe trip and say hello to Ayrton for me. :cry: :cry: :cry:

Safe journey Alan.I never knew you personally,only through my mate Reevo.I soon learnt though that you were a genius.Gave me a lot pleasure watching Nick race YOUR creation.RIP.
HW

#25 scarbs

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Posted 07 May 2009 - 12:05

I only picked up this sad news in today’s Autosport with Marcus Pye’s column devoted to him. I knew Allan, initially through his book ‘Competition Car Suspension’ a definitive guide if ever there was one. I’m sure anyone with a technical interest in the sport or a F.SAE designer would tell you. Through this I found his other books and the ‘High speed Low cost’ which inspired me no end.

Then at one of Racetech Magazines Technical Symposiums, I was sat next to an enthusiastic old fellow. Asking all sorts of questions to the speakers and who had also taken an interest in me. He asked me about my notes, my doodles of racecars and even my digital recorder. We spoke for ages, before I had a pause long enough to ask his name, Allan Staniforth was the reply. I was perhaps more excited about meeting this man than any of the current F1 people I have been lucky to meet and interview. We talked endlessly about design ideas and walked around the venue (the RAF aircraft museum at Hendon) talked about planes and stuff.

I met him again the following year and we chatted more. He even let me in on his secret about the computer print-out in reproduced his book ‘Competition Car Suspension’, take a look at your copy and look at the name at the top of the print!

His death is indeed sad news and its nice people here have been able to recount some their anecdotes.

Craig Scarborough


#26 wooffitt

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Posted 07 May 2009 - 18:16

I only picked up this sad news in today’s Autosport with Marcus Pye’s column devoted to him. I knew Allan, initially through his book ‘Competition Car Suspension’ a definitive guide if ever there was one. I’m sure anyone with a technical interest in the sport or a F.SAE designer would tell you. Through this I found his other books and the ‘High speed Low cost’ which inspired me no end.

Then at one of Racetech Magazines Technical Symposiums, I was sat next to an enthusiastic old fellow. Asking all sorts of questions to the speakers and who had also taken an interest in me. He asked me about my notes, my doodles of racecars and even my digital recorder. We spoke for ages, before I had a pause long enough to ask his name, Allan Staniforth was the reply. I was perhaps more excited about meeting this man than any of the current F1 people I have been lucky to meet and interview. We talked endlessly about design ideas and walked around the venue (the RAF aircraft museum at Hendon) talked about planes and stuff.

I met him again the following year and we chatted more. He even let me in on his secret about the computer print-out in reproduced his book ‘Competition Car Suspension’, take a look at your copy and look at the name at the top of the print!

His death is indeed sad news and its nice people here have been able to recount some their anecdotes.

Craig Scarborough



#27 wooffitt

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Posted 07 May 2009 - 18:24

Re: Allan Staniforth.
Along with many others I was very sad to hear of Allan's death.
Unlike most of you I have nothing to do with motor sport but I had known Allan well.
What no one has mentioned so far is that he was a newspaper reporter for many years, working as a Yorkshire District reporter for the Daily Mirror until his retirement.
I worked for the Daily Mail in Leeds and saw or spoke to Allan almost every day for several years.
He was not a typical reporter - he was a gentleman who was always will to lend a hand or share information.
As a young staff man I often asked Allan for advice and he always gave it willingly.
He was a sad loss to journalism when he retired and obviously a sad loss to motor sport.
I often went to Harewood with my youngest son to see Allan race and he was always willing to stop and chat before hurtling up that hill.
My sympathy and that of all the national reporters I have told of his death, goes out to his family.
Ian Key.


#28 metalshapes

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Posted 18 May 2009 - 20:45

I'm very sorry to hear this.

He had a huge influence on me, and the cars I built ( and build )

I think I first picked up one of his books in my early or mid teens, and they have helped to shape my mind.


I owe him a great debt.

Thank you Mr Staniforth.

Rest In Peace..

#29 Stephen W

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Posted 19 May 2009 - 08:55

His death is indeed sad news and its nice people here have been able to recount some their anecdotes.

Craig Scarborough


I first met Allan at Scammonden Dam in September 1975. I had seen him in the paddock with the Terrapin and he wandered down to watch the cars in the preceeding batch negotiate the first two corners. We got into conversation and he explained how he tackled the course - which gears, where to brake etc. He then wandered back to his car whilst I stayed watching. On his next run Allan blasted off the line and duly spun to a halt at the first corner with the car facing back to the start. I walked back to the paddock where he was all smiles and joking about his mistake "Obviously I don't take my own advice".
:)