Obituary: Bernard Cottrell
The loss of prominent race official Bernard Cottrell, who died last weekend following a long battle with illness, leaves a huge void in British motorsport. His legacy, as a lynchpin of the industry and as a racing character, is such that his many career highlights barely scratch the surface of the enormous contribution he made through half a century’s dedicated service.
A larger-than-life personality, whose willingness to assist was matched only by a razor-sharp appreciation for the big picture and cunning eye for detail, Cottrell’s draw was magnetic. Perhaps that, and his strong sense of fairness, is why he commanded respect at all points of the racing spectrum.
He began it all as a track marshal with the British Racing & Sports Car Club in 1971 at Lydden Hill and Brands Hatch, while working in the City as a ‘blue button’ on the London Stock Exchange. He rose through the ranks and became a fire truck marshal, before being promoted to chief paddock marshal.
Asked in the 1990s by late BRSCC chairman John Nicol to become a clerk of the course, Cottrell excelled in the role, earning the highest International A Clerk licence. He oversaw countless events both in the UK and internationally, treating each one with the same level of professionalism, reverence and fairness, although it was a source of immense pride to him that he clerked both British grands prix in 2020.
He served the BRSCC as national chairman between 2002 and 2017, and worked tirelessly to give the organisation the stature it now commands. During this time, he also quit the money markets and joined Haymarket Publishing as operations manager, where he became Autosport International’s event director.
Poor health forced him to step away from the BRSCC in 2017, but he returned to the sport as a steward and, for the last two years, served as race director for the 750 Motor Club. He also served on Motorsport UK’S Council, Race Committee, Rules Committee and was chair of the Volunteer Officials Committee, and was one of the BRDC’S few non-racing members.
Cottrell fought leukaemia for seven years with courage and integrity, and in his last months he continued to contribute to the sport he loved so much. Among the tidal wave of social media tributes was a common theme: that everyone felt they had lost a close friend. Motorsport has had few finer.
“Bernard was one of the unsung heroes of motorsport to whom we all owe an enormous debt of gratitude,” said Motorsport UK chairman David Richards. “He was instrumental in maintaining the high standards of race management that we enjoy in this country and Bernard’s support of officials will be sorely missed.”
To his five children, seven grandchildren and his partner Anne, Autosport extends its sympathies. We will miss him dearly.