Probably not well known enough outside the motorsport enthusiasts of a few years back, but a feisty racer who had a very bad race accident.
Whilst in hospital, he spoke to a lot of patients who'd been involved in road accidents and grilled them as to the reasons and deduced that most of them really had a very poor idea of car control - amongst other things and he initiated the fantastically successful "ProDrive" programme, in conjunction with Motor Sport NZ and backed by Toyota, with Chris Amon's support, but run in schools by Motorsport club volunteers throughout the country.
This ran for several years until Toyota pulled the plug and it hasn't been revived since.
He probably did more to save the lives of youngsters than any legislation ever could, as I gather that the success rate for graduates was outstanding, with very few being involved in accidents.
He deserves to be remembered and probably deserved a knighthood rather more than a few sporting icons.
He passed away yesterday having recently been moved to a hospice.
I never knew him, but I certainly knew of him.
RiP
franko171,
Dec 27, 10:20am
RIP John also hadnt meet him but knew of him
mals69,
Dec 27, 11:05am
RIP Big guy - cheers for all your great work .
sw20,
Dec 27, 12:09pm
I remember this from high school back in the '90s. Very popular course for the lads.
kcf,
Dec 27, 5:34pm
Gutted, I was a prodrive volunteer driver for many many years, spent a lot of time around John while he was wearing that hat.
Thoroughly good bastard!
morrisman1,
Apr 25, 5:25am
Bugger. He was a good sort. I did a few days volunteering for him, he put one hell of an effort into that programme
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