34 replies to this topic

[Allan Lupton]

I'm sorry to have to report that Tom Delaney has died.

He has been an inspiration to us all, having taken up motor racing in his TT-winning Lea-Francis for the second time at an age when many would be giving it up, and 20-odd years later participating in the VSCC April Silverstone this year between visits to hospital.

He won a race at Bentley DC Silverstone last year to become the oldest race winner ever recorded.

His funeral is to be at 11:30am on Thursday 14 September at St Paul's Church, Wilton Place (near Belgrave Square) Knightsbridge, London SW1

[taylov]

Sad news.

I first met Tom in the paddock at the Brighton Speed Trials some years back - what a nice gentleman. We were chatting about a postcard that I had found showing a wrecked car from the 1903 Paris - Madrid race driven by Delaney senior. Tom's family connections with motor sport were as old as the sport itself.

He will be greatly missed.

[Alan Cox]

Sad news indeed. I guess he must have been 94, and enjoying his motor racing into his 95th year.

[Richard Jenkins]

A great shame.
I echo what's been said already, particulary the inspiration part.
RIP.

[Coogar]

A great shame.....Lovely man. It was also very sad to learn this morning that Lord David Strathcarron has died.

[Gary C]

RIP Tom. The first time I saw him race was about 15 years ago, and couldn't believe how old he was even then!

[Eric McLoughlin]

Sorry to hear that.

[LotusElise]

RIP Tom.
I was looking forward to seeing him in the Brooklands Trophy tomorrow.

[Vitesse2]

RIP Tom.

[petefenelon]

RIP, but what a long and full life Tom had...

[frogeye59]

What sad news indeed, I'd missed this news until today, had presumed car problem for his no show at goodwood.

[bradbury west]

There was a very good article and interview with him a while back in one of the magazines. A talented man, not just behind the wheel, IIRC., the family firm being the basis of Delaney Galley, as in seat belts etc. A sad loss, but a life fully lived. Who will now take over the mantle of oldest racing driver, one wonders?

RL

[Allan Lupton]

Originally posted by bradbury west
Who will now take over the mantle of oldest racing driver, one wonders?

Can't think, but I bet he's in the VSCC

[TonyCotton]

Originally posted by Allan Lupton


Can't think, but I bet he's in the VSCC

I'm not so sure - how about Frank Tiedeman, 750MC and Monoposto? Have a look at http://www.startline...ngPresident.htm (where we underestimated the wonderful Tom Delaney's age).

[Allan Lupton]

Originally posted by TonyCotton


I'm not so sure - how about Frank Tiedeman, 750MC and Monoposto?

Like I said! Frank is also a member of the VSCC, as you might expect of an Austin 7 man.

[RTH]

Frank is now I believe in his 87th year and has already done 4 races this year in the1930 Austin Seven Ulster the same car he had his first club race in at Silverstone in 1950
He still drives the tow car to circuits as far away as Lydden from his home in Cheltenham and operates on race day usually with just one helper, a truly remarkable man and a dedicated racing enthusiast.
When asked if he contemplated giving up he said, "If I had to stop driving I might as well be dead "

Extraordinary determination and an example to us all ........and a very nice bloke too !

[Allan Lupton]

Originally posted by RTH
When asked if he contemplated giving up he said, "If I had to stop driving I might as well be dead "

Extraordinary determination and an example to us all ........and a very nice bloke too !

All that could have applied to Tom as well.

Something to do with still being a sporting motorist after a long career – without ever having been a professional racing driver – perhaps.

[Paul Parker]

In 1992 I had my first ever race at Silverstone and after practice I came upon Win Percy who was talking to Tom Delaney in the paddock.

Win asked me how I had got on and without thinking I said "I drove like a 90 year old". TD bless him never said a word and the conversation carried on without a pause whilst I waited for the ground to open up and swallow me. Really I suppose this was a sort of compliment as although Tom was obviously elderly there was nothing 'old' about his demeanour or attitude.

I think the authorities were trying to stop him driving a couple of years ago weren't they? I cannot remember how but thankfully they failed. According to an obit I read somewhere his long term partner died in June after which he went into decline.

[bradbury west]

Obituary in today's Telegraph;


http://www.telegraph...9/23/db2302.xml

The 94 article was in one of the comics, but was well done IMHO.

Another piece of history.

Roger Lund.

[flat-16]

I think you're referring to this article: He's Still Flat Out at 94

Impressive stuff for a 94 year old.

Justin

[bradbury west]

flat16, many thanks for the lonk, buit I am not in L-FOC nor do I take MSN , so it is obviously another. Clearly all based on the same theme. Seems to have a very pleasant man.

RL

[bradbury west]

Sorry, should read link, and but....

[Allan Lupton]

Torygraph obit was very dodgy on history, telescoping a number of events they may have been told of separately.

LFOC website is open to all, and copied Motor Sport News' piece "Flat out at 94" with permission

[Allan Lupton]

UK members may not have noticed that there is a programme on BBC1 at 10:40 this evening on Old Motorists, amongst whom is Tom Delaney (it says).
Sounds as if it could be an amusing programme, rather than the modern TV hatchet job.

[RTH]

Thank you for that Alan I'll make every effort to keep awake that long !

[Allan Lupton]

Originally posted by RTH
Thank you for that Allan I'll make every effort to keep awake that long !

You only have to be awake when you set the recording machine

[philhitchings]

I saw it last nihgt and had enjoyed the show especially when Tom appeared. I hadn't realised he was no longer with us you see. very upset to hear the news

[RTH]

I did manage to stay awake. 30,000 people currently in britain over 90 years of age still driving and over 3 million drivers over 70.

Bit shocked by their universally terrible language, rejection of seatbelts, however they all seemed mentally very sharp, not to say aggressive and physically surprisingly good for mid 90s. The 100 year old chap was particually impressive .

[bill moffat]

Originally posted by RTH
Bit shocked by their universally terrible language, rejection of seatbelts, however they all seemed mentally very sharp, not to say aggressive and physically surprisingly good for mid 90s. The 100 year old chap was particually impressive .

Wasn't it all a bit contrived ? Plenty of editing, dubbing and probably scripting going on in typical current BBC fashion.

Every shot of a queue forming up behind an OAP's car was accompanied by a dubbed sound track of impatient hooting from the cars behind. The wonderful old guy in the Roller pulls out of the pub car park to be met with an American big-rig style horn blast from a refuse truck (really?). Of course the old lady is going to leave her walking stick on the top of her BMW (it was in the script earlier)and a pedestrian just happens to be walking face-to-camera to alert her. The lady in the Polo seems to back into a parked car, or atleast that's how it's made to sound.

In the same way that Panorama went through a phase of "don't let facts get in the way of a good story" this was more posed drama than documentary I reckon (although the shot of T.D in action made it worthwhile).

[RTH]

Do you know I think you are absolutely right Bill .

[Stephen W]

I switched onto the programme and kept myself busy doing various chores until the bit about Tom Delaney came on. There was no way the BBC could mess that about.

I hope I am as active in motorsport when I am Tom's age!

[Allan Lupton]

Originally posted by Stephen W
I switched onto the programme and kept myself busy doing various chores until the bit about Tom Delaney came on. There was no way the BBC could mess that about.

I did wonder if they put him up to getting in on the doorless (driver's) side of his car, rather than getting in through the door and shuffling across as most would do.

Originally posted by Stephen W
I hope I am as active in motorsport when I am Tom's age!

Don't we all?!

[taylov]

Originally posted by taylov
Sad news.

I first met Tom in the paddock at the Brighton Speed Trials some years back - what a nice gentleman. We were chatting about a postcard that I had found showing a wrecked car from the 1903 Paris - Madrid race driven by Delaney senior. Tom's family connections with motor sport were as old as the sport itself.

He will be greatly missed.

Spent much of yesterday in Brighton at the 2007 Speed Trials and there was "Tom's" Lea-Francis in the paddock, now being driven by son Geoffrey Delaney and grand daughter Lucy.

Is there any other family in motor sport that can claim 4 generations of racers going back to 1903?

[Allan Lupton]

Originally posted by taylov

Spent much of yesterday in Brighton at the 2007 Speed Trials and there was "Tom's" Lea-Francis in the paddock, now being driven by son Geoffrey Delaney and grand daughter Lucy.

Blue car (KD9594) or green car (VC5461?
Both were Tom's, but the former has been Geoffrey's for quite a few years and we understand that the latter (more associated with Tom as it was the car he owned first, and last) was to be retired from competition.
Either way the family continues its history!

[Phil Rainford]

http://www.telegraph...ving-force.html


PAR