‘Generous’ motorsport identity dies at rally
A generous motorsport photographer and skilled mechanic has died after being hit by a rally car, while photographing an event in Hanmer Forest, north of Christchurch.
Kevin Corin’s death is just the second at a rally event in the past 35 years, following driver Royce Watson’s death in 2013.
Kaiapoi-based Corin died while covering Saturday’s Royce Watson Memorial Hanmer Rally, an event dedicated to the late driver.
Corin’s friend, Roger Nees, said Corin was loving and supportive of his two teenage sons. He said Corin’s death was devastating.
Nees said Corin was a ‘‘helpful and generous’’ man with a quiet demeanour, and was a skilled mechanic.
The two met when they worked on aircraft engines and had known each other about 15 years.
The pair had spent many hours together in the workshop on Nees’ super saloon speedway race car, with Corin providing help with welding and engineering, and advice from his overseas experience working with top drivers in the UK in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
‘‘We always offered help to one another and no money ever changed hands.’’
Corin was in the process of restoring a genuine Lotus 7 from the 1960s, a complete rebuild from the frame up.
Nees said Corin was an avid photographer who collected old cameras. ‘‘Some of the photos he took were absolutely unbelievable’’. He had attended most rallies in the South Island for many years.
MotorSport New Zealand and police would investigate Corin’s death.
Canterbury acting rural police commander Matt Emery said the car was out of control after hitting a small ford and hit the photographer.
Emery said the driver was uninjured.
It’s understood Corin photographed motorsport for over 45 years.
He also had a successful career on the European singleseater racing circuit.