22 replies to this topic

[Andrew Fellowes]

Its with immense regret and disbelief that I start this thread.

Didn't matter what one was doing but when Denis was out on the track in the 80's it was always worth stopping and watching. After his epic drive at the Bathurst Healey only race he came and had lunch with us on the Gold Coast, we went by boat to Marina Mirage and then had a quick look out to sea. It was a fun day and this news is just terrible.

Condolences to his family.

Andrew

 

It is with great regret that the organisers of the Silverstone Classic have to report that, following an accident in a race for HGPCA pre-66 Grand Prix Cars today, Sunday 27th July, the driver of car number 19, Denis Welch, succumbed to his injuries later in the circuit’s Medical Centre.

 

Edited by Andrew Fellowes, 28 July 2014 - 03:41.

[Lola5000]

Its with immense regret and disbelief that I start this thread.

Didn't matter what one was doing but when Denis was out on the track in the 80's it was always worth stopping and watching. After his epic drive at the Bathurst Healey only race he came and had lunch with us on the Gold Coast, we went by boat to Marina Mirage and then had a quick look out to sea. It was a fun day and this news is just terrible.

Condolences to his family.

Andrew

Very sad Andrew,got the news today.

As you said will always be remembered for his Austin Healey drive at Bathurst,people still talk about that drive.

 

RIP.

[Doug Nye]

Very, very sad news this morning.  Sincere condolences to his family and friends.  Larking about in old cars is meant to be just sport, and fun...

 

DCN

[Alan Cox]

May I echo the previous comments. A very sad day indeed and the Healey world in particular and historic racing world in general will be poorer for Denis's passing. As Doug says, it should be fun and it usually is, but one cannot lose sight of the inevitable fact that all levels of motor racing can be dangerous.

[garyfrogeye]

Very sad news and my thoughts are with Denis' family and friends. I'm relieved that I didn't see the accident, especially as I spent most of the weekend viewing from a point where I've heard that the accident took place.

RIP Mr Welch.

[Supersox]

What a loss-to be that charming and that quick always seemed an unfair advantage to me.

Thoughts with Tina this morning-I spoke to both of them on Friday.

God speed Denis.

[275 GTB-4]

Was Denis also at the Oran Park 100 Healey meeting...sad to see any death at a race meeting

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 28 July 2014 - 09:21.

[john winfield]

Very sad news - condolences to all family and friends.  I have happy memories of standing at the first corner at Cadwell as Denis came thundering past in the big Healey, on the limit, swooping up through the fast left-hander, on the way to another win.  Quite a sight. 

[Nick Planas]

This is so very sad - having watched every race on Saturday and rediscovered what I really loved about the sport of my childhood, here is a reminder of the dark side of the sport.

 

Sincerest condolences to his family and many friends.

[Alan Cox]

A memory of happier days. My favourite snap of Denis, taken as he congratulated the late James Diffey after they had both enjoyed a fabulous wheel-to-wheel scrap in a sports car race at Oulton Park, 2005

 

[arttidesco]

Having enjoyed a great day out at Silverstone on Saturday I am lost for words on reading this news, beyond offering my sincerest condolences to Denis's family and many friends.

[ahw911]

Very sad news.

 

I raced against Denis in the '80s and recall the Healey skimming over the grass having failed to make the first of the Craners in one of those races.

 

Sincerest condolences to his family and many friends

[RobertE]

This is upsetting news; a nice guy and builder of some of the hardest engines you could wish for. RIP...

Edited by RobertE, 28 July 2014 - 18:17.

[maplestone71]

My sincere condolences to Denis's family and friends.

I also spare a thought for the fellow drivers, marshals and medical staff at such a difficult time. Having seen the speed of their reactions to the tragic events, they all have my utmost respect.

Jon

Edited by maplestone71, 28 July 2014 - 18:15.

[Belmondo]

I was so shocked to hear this.

[Healey3000]

Denis was a great bloke, a great driver, and a great engineer. I'm pretty pleased some of you guys rated his 1998 Bathurst drive so highly. Denis told me his personal best wins in his Healey 3000 were his 3 Eifel Klasik's wins, on the old Nurburgring circuit, against much more sophisticated machinery than a Healey.
His 3 wins at Monaco in his Formula Junior were right up there too.
Bathurst 1998 was one of my favourites too
http://www.myaustinh...om/hicr_98.html
The first time I ever saw Denis race his red Healey 3000 was at Silverstone on 28 July 1990. He drove brilliantly with a pack of mod sports sprites on his tail.
Rest in peace Denis.

[DUFFY]

I first meet Denis in the late 1960s when I was looking after various racecars at circuits and Denis was racing a Ford Anglia.

In the mid-70s I had changed jobs and was selling garage equipment, I demonstrated and sold him a Crypton tuner when he was

Service Manager at a Rootes Agent in a small village nr Stone in Staffs and over the following years he always found time for a

little chat when we meet at Race Meetings.

 

Denis R.I.P.

 

Tony Stanton, Compiler of the Rochdale Olympic History Archives.

[Equipic]

I first met Denis in 1973 when he was service manager at Tildesley in Walsall and we have been friends ever since.

In the 1980s we traveled to many of the European historic races. Typically we would be sat around in the evening enjoying a drink or two and someone would appear, covered in grease and grime carrying some car part.  Before the guest had a chance explain Denis was on his feet, grabbing hold of the offending part and then disappearing into the hold in his old bus,' happy as pig in ****' as he would say.  If there was no replacement a repair or bodge was forthcoming.  This was Denis at his happiest; helping others get out of trouble and back on the track, you could see him come alive at the hint of a challenge and his generosity of spirit knew no bounds.

Quite recently he was trying to solve a problem for me but time was running out as he was due to go to go and practice himself. I told him it really did not matter and to get his own car ready to which he told me to ‘shut up and stop spoiling his fun’.  That was it, solving other people’s problems was his buzz, not for money or thanks, he just loved being able to do it.

Recently he was thrilled to have shared a Healey with his son Jeremy in the three hour race at Snetterton and couldn't wait to ring and tell me all about it. The race was a real highlight for him.

May your god be with you Denis, you will be missed by so many.

[Healey3000]

Ray,
This is about Denis Welch. RIP

Peter Hopwood set the fastest lap that weekend. But Denis Welch won both races.
Both great drivers. Both great mates both RIP.
For me, as the man that brought them together for that awesome race - 2 friends - great result!
That weekend,
Peter drove an Australian spec Logbooked sportscar Group 2a Healey with Group S tyres and bodywork.
Denis drove an International FIA Appendix K spec "period" Healey
So Peter had a 3.2 litre engine with triple 2in SU's, Yokohama A008R 195x60x15 radials on 6in alloy minilites. And 18 previous Bathurst race meetings of experience.
Denis ran a 3 litre Healey engine with triple webers, on 4.5in wire wheels, with L section cross plies. And arrived with no Bathurst experience.
There were other differences. But the key point is - why don't you ask CAMS why Australian cars can't get an FIA Appendix K logbook??
That's why the cars were different. Because CAMS doesn't appear to recognise it's own history, let alone FIA historic rules....."as it was?? Nah, that's just a slogan..."
Again - Denis won. And Peter set the fastest time. As the bloke who organised for both these guys to race - and they both agreed - who was disgruntled??
I can tell you, both left with a smile on their face. And both wanted a rematch. And no one felt cheated or short changed. Two awesome men I'm very proud to have been associated with.
Dunno who you or Bob Holden spoke to.
Didn't see either of you there.
But Hoppy only ever wanted a rematch. And so did Denis. Denis wanted to try Hoppys line over the top, the line that Peter had not shown Denis until the last race, on the last lap....
I imagine they Denis & Peter are now lining up for their showdown in the other Bathurst, that one in motor racing Heaven. Next week, I think they are doing 10 laps at the old Nurburgring....
RIP (Race in Peace) Hoppy & Denis.

[Vitesse2]

Twenty posts have been removed from this thread. My apologies for not spotting the problem sooner and my thanks go to the three members who took the time to hit 'report'. Those who wish to carry on that 'discussion' should do so in private.

[Healey3000]

Again. RIP Denis.
Race In Peace mate.

[Supersox]

Thanks to our moderator for cleaning up this topic.

The details of Denis' funeral have also been wiped-so once again

Hoar Cross Church

DE13 8QR

Thursday 14th August 11 am.

RIP

[Supersox]

Around 400 of Denis' friends saw him off today-an incredible turn out- certainly the largest personal funeral I have ever attended and an amazing tribute.

RIP Denis