A fatal rally-car crash claimed the life of a Sorell man described by a close friend as a “fierce competitor” and a “dedicated father”.
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The 49-year-old man died in a crash near Scottsdale on Saturday.
Close family friend Tim Gadsby met the driver about 27 years ago through their passion for motor-sports.
“We always used to say we’ll go sailing in summer and rallying in winter,” Mr Gadsby said.
“He just loved his rallying, it made him who he was. He enjoyed the thrill of it and not just the competing.”
But they wouldn’t just race together.
“We would build our own rally-cars, get them together, get them tested and tuned … it was very hands-on.”
They sailed together for 25 years and competed in two Sydney to Hobart races, he said.
“[He was] a very successful yachtsman, winning multiple pennant championships on the river over many years.
“He always wanted to be at the pinnacle of his chosen sports.”
A dedicated father, Mr Gadsby said the driver “loved being a dad” to his young child with his wife.
He might have been a fairly quiet person, but he would get along with everyone and the driver was very popular, Mr Gadsby said.
“It’s a great loss.”
The car navigator, a Launceston man, is in a stable condition with multiple fractures at Launceston General Hospital.
The Examiner is withholding the name upon the family’s request.
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Tess Brunton
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
