Peter Foubister 1953-2016

Peter Foubister, who passed away last week, was an integral part of the motorsport media within Haymarket, and was key to not only the growth of Autosport magazine and Motorsport News, but also in the introduction of the annual Autosport International exhibition and the Autosport Awards. He was also part of the brains behind the Mclaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year, which included winners David Coulthard, Jenson Button, Dario Franchitti and many others.

Best known as ‘Foubie’, the Scotsman’s career began as rally editor at Autosport, when it was MN’S rival, in 1980, and rallying was his first passion. He even had his own annual covering the World Rally Championship, Rallyworld, in the late 1980s. Foubie became Autosport editor in 1988 and subsequently its publisher in 1992. When Haymarket bought MN in the mid1990s, it fell under his wing. Promotions within Haymarket eventually led to Foubie moving to California as CEO of Haymarket Media Inc and the RACER group.

On his return to the UK and leaving Haymarket, he had roles with the Bahrain GP, Goodwood’s famed Breakfast Club and was most recently the Motoring Secretary at the RAC Club.

The tributes that flowed following his loss recognised a man that will be much missed. His ability to encourage young talent was immense.

As former Motorsport News rallies editor John Mcilroy says, “You never felt like you were working for Foub. You were working with him.”

Appropriately, the flags at the RAC Club on Pall Mall and at Woodcote Park were flown at half-mast last Saturday in his honour.

We join many in the motorsport world in sending our sincere condolences to his wife Marion, and children Gemma and Rory.