24 replies to this topic

[idrive]

Sad news is that Justin Haler passed away on 16 January after a short illness.

I worked for him on Chequered Flag here in South Africa and more recently on Truck & Bus which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. He was my friend, mentor and most importantly, someone who believed in me. I have a lot of good memories ... especially of the days we perfected Bar Top Publishing. To my friend!!

His passion for motorsport never waned and he had a particularly keen interest in the 1-litre screamer era.

He always spoke fondly of his days at Autosport and Competition Car.

Edited by idrive, 28 January 2011 - 14:12.

[Tim Murray]

This is sad news indeed. As Simon Taylor told us in another thread, in the late '60s/early '70s Autosport was produced mainly by Messrs Taylor, Spurring, Hutchinson and Haler working all hours, and I read it avidly and with great pleasure every week. RIP, Justin, and thank you.

[Hieronymus]

I never knew Justin, but CHEQUERED FLAG was probably the best motorsport publication that this country ever saw. I believe he was a Brit...so with all respect, perhaps we need another Brit to show the Boertjies, how to compile a decent motorsport magazine.

[Giraffe]

I last saw Justin at the barbecue held by Steve Wilkinson of the Historic F3 Association at last year's Oulton Park Gold Cup. It was promoting Justin's upcoming book on the Formula 3 - 1 litre screamers and was attended by many drivers and personalities from that period. Justin is pictured with shoulder bag talking to Bev Bond, Ian Titchmarsh and Dave Berry.


By null at 2010-08-31

I have to admit I stood with Justin at the bar at Oulton the following day and remember thinking that he did not appear to be in the best of health.
A very sad passing.

[Doug Nye]

This is quite a shock. Around Christmas I had an e-mail correspondence with Justin re F3 'screamer' photos for his book. I more recently sent him some samples...and have since heard no more. Now I am shaken to understand why not. Sincere condolences to Justin's family and friends...

DCN

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

Sad news , he gave us Competition Car magazine , which I found brilliant , walked miles looking for the model shop he never opened , good memories all the same .

[Richard Jenkins]

Oh how dreadful.
I had also been in correspondence with him and he was in the process of finding photos for the WATN site but inbetween his busy workload.

Although not receiving these photos will be a blow, the far bigger blow is the loss of correspondence and the loss of a passionate race-loving man with a host of memories, now lost.

RIP

[Doug Nye]

When Justin and his pal Chris Witty - another journo - set up their own team, LIRA, (if I recall correctly) and became really involved in the trenches, I was struck by quite a lot of schadenfreud amongst the magazine staffmen who remained staffmen. It struck me then how peripheral merely writing about motor sport really was, and here were these two young blades actually getting off their backsides and getting rigt in there, real thing. As it happened, LIRA proved rather ill-fated. Its demise left some of the detractors nodding knowingly, told you so, etc. But in contrast some of us still thought quite highly of Haler and Witty for at least having had a go, in a real - and ferociously competitive - world. It made me interested in becoming more involved hands-on, helping create or achieve something rather than merely write or commentate upon other people doing so. Way to go as yet, then...but at least it has been interesting. Justin Haler was one of those who at least made the effort. I never knew him well, but I am genuinely shaken by this news. Respect.

DCN

[Alan Cox]

Sad news , he gave us Competition Car magazine , which I found brilliant , walked miles looking for the model shop he never opened , good memories all the same .

Very sorry to hear this sad news. I thought Competition Car was a great, if short-lived, effort which deserved a far longer life and I still have the issues stowed in a box somewhere. I also have some correspondence I had with Justin about models, which he was passionate about. I think he also told me once that he had been involved with helmet design/liveries, so a man of many parts.

Edited by Alan Cox, 28 January 2011 - 19:27.

[mike faloon]

Terribly sad news, as Tony said Justin was at the 1000cc F3 Historic Racing Association barbecue at the Oulton Park Gold Cup in August. The main reason for the barbecue was to gather together as many period 'screamer' drivers as possible in order that Justin could gather information for his book. Mike Hedger put a tremendous amount of effort into contacting the 'old boys' as Charlie Lucas called them, and a marvelous, if rather wet, evening was had by all.
All of us at 1000ccF3HRA who had the pleasure of spending the Gold Cup weekend with Justin would wish to pass on our deepest sympathy to Justin's family and many friends.

[Chris Witty]

Sad news is that Justin Haler passed away on 16 January after a short illness.

I worked for him on Chequered Flag here in South Africa and more recently on Truck & Bus which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. He was my friend, mentor and most importantly, someone who believed in me. I have a lot of good memories ... especially of the days we perfected Bar Top Publishing. To my friend!!

His passion for motorsport never waned and he had a particularly keen interest in the 1-litre screamer era.

He always spoke fondly of his days at Autosport and Competition Car.

Such sad news to hear.

Justin and I went back a long way, back to our early teens when we lived near to each other in London. He was the first guy I met who, like me, was mad on motor racing. As 16 year olds we managed to blag press passes off Graham Macbeth, then the Brands Hatch press officer, "working" for a new magazine called 'Competiton Car'.

In those early days the pair of us went to all the tracks by bus or train and then I got my own car for my 17th birthday which mad life easier. We did so much together and, as 20 year olds, created the LIRA-Team Lotus semi-works Formula 2 team in 1971. 'Competition Car' did eventually make it into a real magazine the following year and we had great fun making a monthly more news worthy than our weekly competitors of the day. Those were great days as all of us who worked on the magazine at the time will remember and Justin Anthony Heath Haler was very much part of that. RIP my old friend.

Chris Witty

[MCS]

That's a wonderful recollection, Chris.

For me, Competition Car was something really quite special. It had a flamboyance that was completely different to Autosport, Motoring News and Motor Sport.

Like many others on here, I was seriously disappointed when it ended.

That said, I hope you are well.

Are you familiar with the 1-litre F3 book that was evidently underway? I hope it gets finished - I had heard it was well on its way.

[TONY TOBIAS]

Such sad news to hear.

Justin and I went back a long way, back to our early teens when we lived near to each other in London. He was the first guy I met who, like me, was mad on motor racing. As 16 year olds we managed to blag press passes off Graham Macbeth, then the Brands Hatch press officer, "working" for a new magazine called 'Competiton Car'.

In those early days the pair of us went to all the tracks by bus or train and then I got my own car for my 17th birthday which mad life easier. We did so much together and, as 20 year olds, created the LIRA-Team Lotus semi-works Formula 2 team in 1971. 'Competition Car' did eventually make it into a real magazine the following year and we had great fun making a monthly more news worthy than our weekly competitors of the day. Those were great days as all of us who worked on the magazine at the time will remember and Justin Anthony Heath Haler was very much part of that. RIP my old friend.

Chris Witty

I also worked with Justin on Competition Car.

He had a nick name for me called Serpico who was an undercover cop in a film, which I have forgotten the name.

He had a V12 E type, which he drove very very quickly, I was going to Silverstone with him and the rear window blew out.

He called Lofty England, and blagged a free repair.

Competiton Car raised the bar in those days, staffmen were Nigel Roebuck Maurice Hamilton Chris Witty the great 'Q' of coure Justin. I was the ad manager, used to bring my two Cairn Terriers into the office.

One of the 'backers' of the mag was a guy called Robert Macarthur, who actually knew Caxton!!!! he actually told us he tought Caxton about printing.

'Q' may tell you guys about my party trick with the tube the Goodyear poster came in, or the 'streaking' across Eden Street Kingston upon Thames.

I just remembered he was involved with Barry Mascall.

Happy days.

Justin you were one of a kind.

RIP buddy.

[Gary C]

'He had a nick name for me called Serpico who was an undercover cop in a film, which I have forgotten the name.'
er...that would be the film 'Serpico' -Al Pacino starred.
Nice to see you on here at last, Tony. Pity it's under such sad circumstances.

[TONY TOBIAS]

'He had a nick name for me called Serpico who was an undercover cop in a film, which I have forgotten the name.'
er...that would be the film 'Serpico' -Al Pacino starred.
Nice to see you on here at last, Tony. Pity it's under such sad circumstances.

Thanks Gary, you got it, I was going crazy trying to remember.

I live in Sunbury on Thames, an am a historic racing nut.

I work at Haymarket

Edited by TONY TOBIAS, 28 January 2011 - 21:46.

[Simon Taylor]

I was very saddened to hear this.

I gave Justin his first job: in 1968, when I was editing Autosport, we had an editorial vacancy. Two scruffy teenagers walked into my office asking if I would hire both of them, because they were inseparable mates. I couldn't do that, but I interviewed them both, and was struck not only by their tremendous knowledge and dedication to all forms of motor racing at so young an age - I was an ancient 24 by then - but also by their tremendous self-confidence. In the event I hired Justin, and his friend Chris Witty got a job on Motoring News.

Justin quickly proved to be a talented journalist and race reporter, developing in particular an encyclopaedic understanding for the then prevailing 1000cc Formula 3. But he left us after about 18 months because - that self-confidence again - he and Chris had decided to set up a Formula 2 team. Now both all of 20, he and Chris went to see Colin Chapman and Peter Warr and persuaded them that their new organisation LIRA - London International Racing Associates - should be the official Lotus Formula 2 outfit for 1971. Most of the money came from Richard Scott and the rest from Chris, who presumably had access to some family funds (or perhaps it was the proceeds of his career as a child actor). Reine Wisell scored a great victory at Pau, but then sued the team over a disagreement about money. Richard Scott didn't seem to be able to get on with the Lotus 69, although Francois Migault went quite well in it. But as the year went on the team's lack of funds finally caused it collapse.

The determined Justin then launched a monthly magazine, Competition Car. The staff included Quentin Spurring and Nigel Roebuck, and it was an excellent product. As boss of the outfit, Justin got himself a brand-new V12 E-type, but once again the enterprise was desperately under-funded. When it failed Justin decamped to South Africa, where he was to live for the rest of his life and enjoy a successful career as publisher of titles like Truck & Bus and Chequered Flag.

As detailed above, Justin made possibly his first visit back to the UK last year, to do research for his book on his beloved 1-litre F3. Let us hope his work in progress is in a form where it can be carried on by somebody properly qualified, so that the book can eventually see the light of day.

[Giraffe]

As detailed above, Justin made possibly his first visit back to the UK last year, to do research for his book on his beloved 1-litre F3. Let us hope his work in progress is in a form where it can be carried on by somebody properly qualified, so that the book can eventually see the light of day.

I do hope someone somewhere has tabs on this and Justin's labours are not lost. It would make a fitting memorial to him.

[Gerald Swan]

Very sad news. I had been talking with Justin a lot recently about his F3 book, in fact we last spoke a couple of weeks ago, I had no idea he was ill.

I do hope his book gets published as a tribute to him.

[Giraffe]

- he and Chris had decided to set up a Formula 2 team. Now both all of 20, he and Chris went to see Colin Chapman and Peter Warr and persuaded them that their new organisation LIRA - London International Racing Associates - should be the official Lotus Formula 2 outfit for 1971. Most of the money came from Richard Scott and the rest from Chris, who presumably had access to some family funds (or perhaps it was the proceeds of his career as a child actor). Reine Wisell scored a great victory at Pau

A great victory for two twenty year-old team owners!

http://www.formula2.net/F271_6.htm

[F3Wrench]

I was quite thrown by this news, broken to me by Barrie Maskell yesterday. I can't believe Justin's dead.

Justin and I were working together on our respective books on the 1000cc F3 era, him from a comprehensive technical viewpoint, and me from the mechanic's persepctive. We had exchanged emails and finally met up (again) on 3rd November 2010; he was attending the Truck and Bus exhibition at the NEC, after which he was travelling around the country gathering more material for his F3 book. He had been down to Folkestone to chat to Tony Trimmer on 2nd, and met up with me in Kent on the 3rd to visit Andy Sutcliffe. My F3 mechanic from 1970-71, Glen Waters, came down from Norfolk to visit Andy with us both, too.

Justin seemed very professional, he didn't appear at all unwell, and altogether seemed comfortable in his own skin. It was a strange day altogether, but that's another story. Justin came across as an interesting man with a colourful history and I for one was really looking forward to seeing his book take shape. I left him the first few chapters of my book for him to review, as I valued his opinion very highly.

I would like to know more about his demise, if only to understand how he could have been taken so swiftly. I only emailed him on the 15th to see what he thought of some new photos I had sent him; I am just devastated to think he died only the following day. I'd appreciate any more news about Justin if anyone can provide it?

Below is a rather grainy picture taken at Andy's on 3rd November, while he took notes from our conversations.

[retriever]

I truly am sorry to read of the passing of Justin Haler. My connections with him did not arise from a motor sport perspective but as the official importer of a book that he published two years ago in South Africa on the ERF marque.

[Chris Witty]

I was quite thrown by this news, broken to me by Barrie Maskell yesterday. I can't believe Justin's dead.

Justin and I were working together on our respective books on the 1000cc F3 era, him from a comprehensive technical viewpoint, and me from the mechanic's persepctive. We had exchanged emails and finally met up (again) on 3rd November 2010; he was attending the Truck and Bus exhibition at the NEC, after which he was travelling around the country gathering more material for his F3 book. He had been down to Folkestone to chat to Tony Trimmer on 2nd, and met up with me in Kent on the 3rd to visit Andy Sutcliffe. My F3 mechanic from 1970-71, Glen Waters, came down from Norfolk to visit Andy with us both, too.

Justin seemed very professional, he didn't appear at all unwell, and altogether seemed comfortable in his own skin. It was a strange day altogether, but that's another story. Justin came across as an interesting man with a colourful history and I for one was really looking forward to seeing his book take shape. I left him the first few chapters of my book for him to review, as I valued his opinion very highly.

I would like to know more about his demise, if only to understand how he could have been taken so swiftly. I only emailed him on the 15th to see what he thought of some new photos I had sent him; I am just devastated to think he died only the following day. I'd appreciate any more news about Justin if anyone can provide it?

Below is a rather grainy picture taken at Andy's on 3rd November, while he took notes from our conversations.

I have been in touch with Justin's wife in the last few days and have told her than we will do everytthing we can to make sure the book is finished and is thereafter published. She would like this to happen but I am giving her some time to collect her thoughts and then she will get back to me.

CHRIS WITTY

[F3Wrench]

That's great news Chris, and please extend my sincere condolences to his wife and family at this sad time. The book would be a fitting epitaph to Justin's interesting career but I feel for their grief and in no way wish them any pressure while they recover from this tragedy.

[idrive]

Thanks for filling some of the gaps .... I worked for him for about 20 years and there's an emptyness in my life right now. We won the annual Toyota Mottorsport Quiz a few times.

[IanRobinson]

Justin was introduced to me around late 70's by Alan Hughes, the ever suffering and hard working voluntary manager of my then what could be called Robinson Racing (FF, Alfa saloon). Justin and I got on really well and I am saddened by his passing. More so by the fact that, as so often happens, we don't keep in touch with good friends and then, just like when you're leading a race and a conrod or something goes - poof - that's it. Overs. Gone. No going back.

Justin was the editor of the South African Motor Sport Annual, published by Mike Jacklin (anyone know where Mike is these days?) and I was the Creative Editor - a fancy title for the layout artist. Not only did I enjoy doing the annual, but it was a moonlighting job that helped me save up enough to buy Tiff Needell's championship winning '74 Crossle FF that his late brother Mike had imported to SA. Often I would bump into Justin as we raced at the many tracks around SA and we'd share a beer. (For those in the publishing business, it was also the days of hot metal and cut and paste by hand. I look at a copy of the Annual now and see Chris Witty's name - he wrote on '78 F1 and Race of Champions - amongst the contributors' names.)

If anyone knows Mike Jacklin, he would surely appreciate knowing of Justin's passing. Mike worked for Marlboro, came to SA and was the supremo sponsorship maestro back in the days of Formula Atlantic in SA (80's) and he secured series and individual sponsorship deals by the dozen.

Justin - I remember the few good times. Sorry there weren't more mate.