As motoring writers Tony and I drove and navigated through the press launch of the first generation Audi R8, an event that was based in the hills above the south coast of France. After the road route, journalists were given an opportunity to be driven around the Paul Ricard circuit by a small team of racing drivers but the hacks weren't allowed to take the powerful sports car out on their own, mostly in order to protect the cars from the journalists and to protect the journalists from themselves. Audi was ready to make an exception for Tony for obvious reasons but he turned down the offer as he thought it would be unfair to the other writers and look like favouritism. I was hugely impressed by the juxtaposition of the awe in which Tony was viewed by the people at Audi, and his gentle humility and sense of fair play. It left an impression. I'm honoured to have known him and proud that he knew me over the years since then. My heart goes out to the family and close friends he has left behind: there is a big gap where once he stood.
As motoring writers Tony and I drove and navigated through the press launch of the first generation Audi R8, an event that was based in the hills above the south coast of France. After the road route, journalists were given an opportunity to be driven around the Paul Ricard circuit by a small team of racing drivers but the hacks weren't allowed to take the powerful sports car out on their own, mostly in order to protect the cars from the journalists and to protect the journalists from themselves. Audi was ready to make an exception for Tony for obvious reasons but he turned down the offer as he thought it would be unfair to the other writers and look like favouritism. I was hugely impressed by the juxtaposition of the awe in which Tony was viewed by the people at Audi, and his gentle humility and sense of fair play. It left an impression. I'm honoured to have known him and proud that he knew me over the years since then. My heart goes out to the family and close friends he has left behind: there is a big gap where once he stood.
