Oil tycoon dies after taking wrong turn in classic car rally
AN OIL tycoon with a £3.8million classic car collection died during the London to Brighton rally on Sunday after taking a wrong turn and ending up on the motorway.
Ron Carey, an 80-year-old businessman from Alberta, Canada, was at the wheel of a 1903 Knox Porcupine classic car when it turned on to the M23.
Mr Carey died when the classic car collided with a HGV lorry, according to Canadian channel, CTV News.
Billi, Mr Carey’s wife, was reportedly also involved and was airlifted to hospital. Last night, she was in a stable condition, according to Sussex Police.
Mr Carey was the founder of J&L Supply, a company that worked as a supplier to the oil industry in Canada. He also preserved antique vehicles as well as oil and gas memorabilia, much of which he donated to museums.
His wife is the president of the Silver Ghost Association of owners of the celebrated Rolls-royce Silver Ghost and the pair took part in several rallies together, including the London-tobrighton event in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The 1903 Knox Porcupine is a small, open-cabin vehicle with a single-cylinder engine and a maximum speed of 35mph.
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run attracts entrants from all over the world and sees hundreds of classic cars take part.
The Daily Telegraph understands there were no roadworks around the scene of the collision and that the route was posted with signs both from the motorway and those erected by the event. A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “No arrests have been made in relation to the fatal collision on the M23. The investigation remains ongoing.”