6 replies to this topic

[Tim Murray]

The legendary rallying team boss David Sutton has died. He was involved at the top end of rallying for so very many years, but probably his greatest achievement was preparing and entering the Ford Escorts with which Ari Vatanen and Dave Richards won the World Rally Championship for Drivers in 1981, the first private entrant to win this title. Condolences to his family and friends.

https://dirtfish.com...s-david-sutton/

[JacnGille]

Sad news

[john aston]

A lovely man. I once had the privilege of being seated next to him and his wife Jill (Robinson- B &H Escort ) at a sort of motorsport dinner party. Both were  charming  , and a rich source of tales - about subjects ranging from Hannu Mikkola to Jimmy Savile (who was once Jill's co driver on the RAC Rally )    

[BRG]

Sad news.  One of the legends of British and international rallying.  He achieved so much for a 'privateer' against powerful factory teams.  

Edited by BRG, 09 April 2021 - 11:17.

[Myhinpaa]

A nice tribute from Ari Vatanen, written by Paul Fearnley in Motorsport Magazine.

 

https://www.motorspo...-was-contagious

 

+ Chris Sclater's tribute on Facebook : https://www.facebook...b&__tn__=,O,P-R

Edited by Myhinpaa, 13 April 2021 - 20:33.

[Myhinpaa]

David Sutton's funeral was held at Banbury Crematorium today at 1pm, the procession from Daventry included, very appropriately, Ari Vatanen with David Richards in a Rothmans Escort followed by an ex-Sutton Audi Quattro Sport.
The latter was the one driven by Hannu Mikkola in the '86 British Rally Championship.

[BRG]

A very fitting tribute and good on Ari and Dave for performing it.  A shame that under current restrictions, we can't give these iconic motorsport figures the send-off they really deserve, but it is what it is.