John Cowan, 1940 - 2020
Sadly, John Cowan passed away last week. Not a name that will be
familiar to many of you, but a sad loss to Scottish motor sport, particularly
to rallying. He was one of those who worked tirelessly in the background
helping to create the sport that we all cherish and enjoy today.
A Civil Engineer by profession and a lifelong member of 55 Car
Club by choice, he was part of the team which introduced the concept of using
forest roads as rally stages with the club's Hackle Rally being one of the first
events in the UK to use a section of Forestry Commission road as a Special
Stage in the early 1960s.
In fact, 55CC were already using a stretch of 'forestry gravel
road' behind Blair Castle for their own event when the 1960 RAC Rally inserted
a 1.8 mile stretch of Forestry Commission gravel road as a timed test in their
route for the first time. That was in Argyll, and its success led to the
introduction of 200 miles of FC roads
for their event the following year in 1961.
By that time, 55CC were already incorporating more FC road tests
in their own Hackle Rally as other clubs and organisers followed suit.
Throughout that period, John was involved in the marshalling and
organising of a whole range of competitions within the club culminating in him
becoming club President.
In 1995 he was awarded the 'Pentti Airikkala Trophy' for his
efforts. Presented annually by the RSAC this award recognises the efforts and achievements
of those who work behind the scenes, often thanklessly and anonymously.
Perhaps surprisingly, and unlike motor racing Clerks of the
Course, those in rallying did not need to be qualified or licensed, merely
appointed by the organising team, on the basis of ability and experience. As
the sport grew in popularity and the rules and regulations grew in complexity,
the RAC Motor Sports Association (as it then was) recognised the need to
formalise this senior post within the sport.
This was a move welcomed by John who worked with the RAC MSA, then
the MSA, and who became a Club Steward and MSA appointed Steward on events,
passing on his advice and guidance to a new generation of organisers.
Whilst you won't see his name recorded in newsprint columns or on
many trophy plaques, it was commonplace in car club committee minutes,
Association notes and MSA paperwork. One of the silent minority perhaps, but
one whose influence was felt nation-wide.
For sure the sport will miss him, but none more so than his wife
Eileen, sons Keith and Kenneth and daughter Nicola, and their wider family
and friends. Our heartfelt condolences to them all.
( Full tribute here: http://www.jaggybunnet.co.uk/2020/01/20-jan-obituary-john-cowan/
)
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