Today DSC marks the passing of Alan Kilbey, the grandfather of its current news editor Stephen Kilbey, who passed away last month.
Alan Kilbey, who was born on September 9th 1930 in East London’s Leyton area, was a passionate and dedicated servant to grassroots motorsport in the UK during his life.
From the early 1970s, he served as both a member of the Hoddesdon Karting Club committee and later its chairman and competition secretary through to its closure at the end of the 2002 season. He followed the sport and the drivers that passed through the entrance gates at Rye House closely thereafter.
During his time at the Karting Club he was on hand to oversee the early years of countless prominent young British karters, many of whom went on to enjoy long and hugely successful careers across the sport. He was unspeakably proud of all of them.
This included drivers that have since scored victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Indy 500 and in the case of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, went on to win the Formula One World Championship.
In that period of his life, he dedicated countless hours, days and weeks to the Karting Club and Rye House Kart Raceway, with the sole aim of providing young drivers with the best platform possible to launch a career in the sport he held so dear.
Alan was also a lifelong fan of Jaguar and went on to own several of its road cars during his retirement.
His passion for the brand naturally extended to motorsport and inspired him to travel to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1988 to see the Jaguar XJR-9 win the Grand Prix D’Endurance in person. It was a result and experience which he spoke about with enthusiasm and pride for the rest of his life.
Beyond the racing sphere, Alan was a much-loved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, as well as a great and loyal friend to many. He will be sorely missed.
Alan is being laid to rest later today, ahead of a celebration of his life at Rye House.
At his request, a fund has been set up in his name upon his passing in aid of the Stroke Association.
