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Martin Hines RIP


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#1 Pink Snail

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Posted 28 August 2011 - 11:21

I have just heard through my friend Matt Dobson who is at Oulton Park for the Gold Cup, that Martin Hines has passed away at age 64. A true legend and influence to so, so many of the drivers who made it to the top of the ladder. 17 Karting titles marks the true genius he was. I met him a couple of times and he always had time for a chat. Through his various programmes and driver coaching we have many top British drivers in the sport today.
To say that British Motorsport in general will miss Martin is an understatement. RIP Martin, thanks for the memories and deepest sympathies go his family.

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#2 David M. Kane

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Posted 28 August 2011 - 15:38

A true mentor. God speed Martin. RIP. You'll be missed by a lot of grateful drivers.

#3 E1pix

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Posted 28 August 2011 - 15:59

As a longtime karter who's heard a bit about Martin, that is sad. Far too young for such a legend to pass.

RIP.

#4 sterling49

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Posted 28 August 2011 - 19:38

Sad, and way to early. I saw Martin race at Brands in the '60s, when they held races on the short circuit. He mentored so many.

Edited by sterling49, 28 August 2011 - 19:38.


#5 Alan Cox

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Posted 28 August 2011 - 19:50

Sorry to hear this news. Funnily enough, I was talking about him with Phil Rainford only yesterday while at Oulton, when we discussed the few car meetings that also ran some kart races.

#6 ShadowDN1

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Posted 28 August 2011 - 20:39

So sad to hear of Martin's passing, was chatting with him only at the british GP in July.there was no mention he was ill or that he looked it.
R.I.P. Mr Karting :cry:

#7 JacnGille

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Posted 29 August 2011 - 01:03

:(

#8 E1pix

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Posted 29 August 2011 - 01:07

It appears that Martin may have succumbed to cancer. :cry:


For those unaware of Martin's impact, here's some links:

Google http://www.google.co...u...mp;aql=&oq=

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia....rident13/MHines

Autosport Tribute http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/94071

Son Luke's website http://www.lukehines...=...&Itemid=101

Zip Kart website http://www.zipkart.com/


RIP, Great One. :up:

#9 eldougo

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Posted 03 September 2011 - 08:31

It was always great to see him at the British Gp each year he was sooooo good and I got to talk to him once.
So sad
RIP Mr Karting

Edited by eldougo, 03 September 2011 - 08:33.


#10 cheapracer

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Posted 04 September 2011 - 16:31



I just came across an interview with him from 2009

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

#11 Alan Cox

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Posted 04 September 2011 - 17:03

A nice tribute to Martin at today's Masters meeting at Donington Park, organised by Karting Legends of which Martin was patron.
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#12 David Beard

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Posted 05 September 2011 - 11:50

I paid my 89p to read Marcus Pye's tribute on the Autosport web page: it was worth it, excellent piece.

My memories of Martin Hines as the hub of the gearbox karting paddock in the late 70s were a little tarnished when I read his biography. Never the less I think his significance in so many circles should be remembered and not undervalued.

Edited by David Beard, 05 September 2011 - 11:56.


#13 PMac

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Posted 05 September 2011 - 12:20

I once had an albeit brief meeting with Martin Hines. He was looking to hook up with Vauxhall to support his Young Guns, and he brought a couple of his boys along to our offices, as we were running Vauxhall's motorsport PR at the time.
The office was in a building that was meant to be part of a larger business park, but only one unit got built. Therefore it was graced with a rather oversized car park, capable of holding many hundreds of cars, but in reality only occupied by a handful at any one time.

At the time of the meeting, a gold Bentley appeared at the entrance to the car park with Martin at the wheel, and he proceeded to do a slow lap of the car park. Just to make sure everyone in the building had clocked his arrival, he set out on another slow lap, as though he was looking for a space in which to park.

He finally parked right in front of the building in one of the many free spaces. By the time he'd arrived at the office, we all knew how important he was!

This story isn't to knock him - far from it. He was a showman, and continued to be a showman away from the track when the situation suited. Oh, and the boys he was with were soaking it all up. Apparently, one of them went on to make a name for himself. Can't remember in what, but he was called Lewis something or other... :confused:

#14 DogEarred

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Posted 05 September 2011 - 17:03


When he & his dad ran Zip Karts from the old premises at Rye House, I went in one day to see if they had some cheap second hand wet wheels & tyres.
Martin was sitting in a chair with a broken leg from a karting accident. When I asked him, he sat there and scanned the shelves. Then he got up and hobbled over to the storage area & used a crutch to push a set of wheels off the top shelf. When I paid cash, it went straight in his trouser pocket.
A very enterprising man....