John Cheeseman  --  In Memory.

11/12/2006

It is with much sadness, that I have to inform off-road racing enthusiasts everywhere of the death of John Cheeseman. John passed away in his sleep on 28^th December 2004, aged 66.

John lived in Lewisham, SE London, and has served the BRCA Off-Road section as the Regional Representative for the South East area for many years. Though not recently involved in the organisational side of National events, John ensured, even through the lean years, that off-road racing continued in his region. He also continued to take a keen interest in both the National electric off-road scene and the whereabouts and progress of former club and regional competitors.  

As most often happens, John became interested in our sport when his son Jeff found that racing radio controlled model cars could be fun. In their early days he used to travel some distance to the ‘Worlds End Inn’ track, with Jeff, to pursue the hobby. When his son moved on to other interests, John continued his involvement in the hobby in an organisational capacity.

Along with Jim Paffett, Colin Moore and several others, John was a driving force in the establishment of the legendary Eden Park Overlanders Club in the early eighties. This Club had a large following, and in the mid eighties they constructed the famous, permanent, purpose built, multi-surface track which was to become a popular venue, year round, for club, Regional, National and International events.  The venue was used for Off-Road National events for many years and hosted a British Grand Prix in 1989. The last time the venue was used for a National event was 1998. Throughout all these years John continued as part of the organising team, usually as Race Director. His attention to detail was unsurpassed, including being present in the canteen to ensure the bacon was cooked for the early morning breakfasts.

When the Eden Park facility ceased to be used on a regular basis, John continued to support the Clubs in the Region. As Regional Representative he would organise a calendar of Off-Road events in the South East each year and would usually be found running these meetings and acting as Race Director and official timekeeper at one and the same time. He kept the records for Regional championship positions and always ensured that drivers in his Region had the required information to compete at Nationally organised events.

It is a fitting tribute to John that he was present at the last major event of 2004, when he visited the last National meeting of the year at 3A Raceway. It is a measure of the man that despite only coming to have a look at what was going on it was only a matter of minutes before John had volunteered to help out in scrutineering!

John will be sorely missed and a hard act to follow, though the region have committed themselves to carrying on John’s good work and hopefully increase the number of clubs and drivers participating in both Regional and National events.

The Off-Road Section would like to pass on their condolences to John’s wife Pat and all members of his family.

Paul Worsley, (Off-Road Chairman

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