Bill Stone RIP
#1
Posted 10 April 2012 - 05:22
A McLaren M4A in F3 form wasn't his best move (that came when he married Susanne Mallock) but the BT21 showed his promise behind the wheel.
Sadly Bill has gone - his struggle to beat the dreaded cancer ended this morning peacefully. He hung on a lot lot longer than the medics had predicted - he remained 'Mr Positive' throughout the ordeal - always firm of handshake and unwavering in his optimism.
Bill rebuilt a Mallock Mk6B and raced it hard it historic races here. In January 2011 he drove a Formula Ford at the Chris Amon Festival - he last raced a FF in 1970, a March 708 he'd modified so much it was nicknamed 'Starch'.
His great buddy Martin Lucas offered Bill his Lotus 69. I was unable to compete because my Crossle had a problem - but it was worth not being out there just to watch Bill. It rained..and rained and rained. Bill was a fair way down the grid but as the race went on and rain got harder, the magic came out. He was over 70 and fighting cancer yet he just picked off car after car. When it was over, Bill - with the #24 he'd raced with since the 60s, was second.
It was the drive of the meeting.
Godspeed my friend
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#2
Posted 10 April 2012 - 08:57
#3
Posted 10 April 2012 - 09:07
No airs and graces, no "attitude" to people.
He gave far more to this sport than he took, so RIP Bill.
#4
Posted 10 April 2012 - 12:55
#5
Posted 10 April 2012 - 22:36
Sad news, rest in peace Bill.
#6
Posted 11 April 2012 - 00:18
He was involved with Jason Plato in Formula Renault in the UK in 1990 running as Cuda Motorsport. I'm sure he raced an amazingly rapid Morris Minor too?
Sad news, rest in peace Bill.
Bill had a fund of great stories - those relating to the Morrie Minor were among the best.
#7
Posted 11 April 2012 - 03:29
I will miss him
Tom Johnston
Vancouver
#8
Posted 13 April 2012 - 04:37
#9
Posted 13 April 2012 - 11:18
I am saddened to here this news of Bill, he shared the experience of both Mallock and Morris Minors with me. We last had dinner with him and Susanne when he raced his Mallock at Taupo.
Kevin - I well recall you at the Taupo Mallock 'do' that Bill was central to.
The service today went very well with many guys present who you will well remember - including David Oxton, Jim Palmer, Dennis Marwood, Graeme Larence, Jim Murdoch, Ken Smith - and especially dear old Roly who is good form and looking sharp. These guys all formed a guard of honour with race flags between the church and the hearse - very, very touching.
Susanne had put together numerous little personal touches throughout the ceremony that made it all a very special occassion.
#10
Posted 13 April 2012 - 17:43
#11
Posted 13 April 2012 - 19:16
Autosport have an article up profiling his career: http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/98778
Also a tribute on the NZ Classic Car website
#13
Posted 18 April 2012 - 04:19
#14
Posted 18 April 2012 - 08:39
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