John Horton 1948-2016

as a co-driver in the late 1960s, he joined Dunlop in 1972. Six months later and he was supplying the tyres Roger Clark would use to win that year’s RAC Rally.

Horton moved into public relations to join Brian Culcheth at the Dealer Opel Team in 1979, before taking on the management and coordination of the British National and British Rally Championships. It was no coincidence that his tenure coincided with some of their most successful years.

Most recently, he worked as press officer at Rally GB and the British GP, establishing the same roles in Turkey.

In a broad stroke, that was John. What’s missing is the legwork behind the headlines. Without JH, those Russ Swift Montego adverts would never have happened, nor would a Land Rover have been winched to the summit of Cader Idris for a ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ publicity stunt.

There was so much more to John than just motorsport, but for those involved in our industry, it was undoubtedly a pleasure to work with this most gracious, decent, popular, professional and happy man. He will be sorely missed by many, including his 4000-strong contact list.

MN extends its deepest sympathies to John’s family.