Rally - Eleanor Cordiner

A lovely service for a lovely lady … Earlier today Scottish rallying said goodbye to a true friend of the sport, an avid follower, a behind the scenes stalwart and hard working rally official - and also a successful rally driver, albeit she only contested a few events as a driver!

Eleanor Cordiner, Jonathan Lord’s much loved partner, passed away a couple of weeks ago after a brave fight with cancer, and earlier today the sport paid its respects. She had other interests of course and that became evident through the family’s personal tributes at the service this morning.

She originally met Jonathan when she worked as secretary to the Royal Scottish Automobile Club at its HQ in Blythswood Square in Glasgow. Having already disapproved of her brother Duncan’s rallying activities, she was soon immersed in the sport at the RSAC, especially with the annual International Scottish Rally.

Having previously questioned Duncan’s activities: “Why would anyone take a perfectly good car and thrash it through the woods on gravel roads just to get it dirty?” She soon discovered that there were lots of folk who thought that this was the very reason for the introduction of the automobile!

Despite having to use the services of Jonathan as co-driver and navigator (and also principal sponsor!) she won her class on the 1992 Scotphone Stages Rally driving a 1200cc Lada Challenge car and then scored sufficient points to take the end of season class prize at the Championship awards ceremony. Rally driving ? Nothing to it! Job done.

Our condolences to Jonathan, her family and her huge circle of friends. The sport will miss her.