Paul Clark
02-12 2021 17:31
wrote:
Very sad to hear of Tony’s passing. He was my mentor in the 1980s when I worked with him at Classic Cars magazine after he took me on to the editorial staff straight from university. He was always expressing his point of view, and I learnt a lot from his experience both as a racer and journalist. His writing was impeccable - technically without reproach, authoritative, entertainingly informative and composed with a wry wit. There were few people at the time who could convey at first hand the experience of driving a race car at competition speeds round a track while explaining in detail which gear and which line you should take through a particular corner. You could always tell if he had had a successful race weekend by his demeanour in the office on Monday morning - and best to keep out of the way if he hadn't. When I caught up with him again in 2018 for an interview in Octane magazine he hadn't changed a bit. Still fanatical over the correct use of grammar and punctuation and with an ability to wither you at a dozen paces if something wasn’t quite right, he had one of the sharpest memories I have ever encountered. I looked up to him again then just as I had done on the mag 35 years ago. Thanks for everything Tony - you were an inspiration.
Paul Clark
02-12 2021 17:31
wrote:
Very sad to hear of Tony’s passing. He was my mentor in the 1980s when I worked with him at Classic Cars magazine after he took me on to the editorial staff straight from university. He was always expressing his point of view, and I learnt a lot from his experience both as a racer and journalist. His writing was impeccable - technically without reproach, authoritative, entertainingly informative and composed with a wry wit. There were few people at the time who could convey at first hand the experience of driving a race car at competition speeds round a track while explaining in detail which gear and which line you should take through a particular corner. You could always tell if he had had a successful race weekend by his demeanour in the office on Monday morning - and best to keep out of the way if he hadn't. When I caught up with him again in 2018 for an interview in Octane magazine he hadn't changed a bit. Still fanatical over the correct use of grammar and punctuation and with an ability to wither you at a dozen paces if something wasn’t quite right, he had one of the sharpest memories I have ever encountered. I looked up to him again then just as I had done on the mag 35 years ago. Thanks for everything Tony - you were an inspiration.
