Test Drive Accident
Discussion
I've been watching the forum for a few days, and as a friend of Alan, Sue and the rest of the Hodgkinson family, I know they will have found great comfort and solace from all the eulogies posted. On their behalf, thank you all (hope you don't mind Alan).
Toby was a tremendous lad, and will be sadly missed by all of us who knew him. He had the ability to light up the room with a smile, which as never far from his lips. In fact in the 10 or so years I knew him, I can't remember one occasion when he wasn't smiling!
A great loss for earth, but a great gain for heaven. God Bless Tobe. XX
Toby was a tremendous lad, and will be sadly missed by all of us who knew him. He had the ability to light up the room with a smile, which as never far from his lips. In fact in the 10 or so years I knew him, I can't remember one occasion when he wasn't smiling!
A great loss for earth, but a great gain for heaven. God Bless Tobe. XX
Hello everyone
I am Toby's girlfriend Chrissie. I just want to thank you all so much for your kind words and thoughts. Alan told me about your forum but it has taken me until now to be able to read it and it really has bought some comfort. It is great to hear how much Toby was respected in the community.
The last time Tobes took me out it was in a bright orange Sagaras. I feel so honered to have seen how much joy he got from driving and to share the experience with him (not that he would ever have let me drive it, and I did try!)
He really was a very special and precious young man whoes passion for cars, life, his family and friends was infecious. Words can't describe how much we will miss him.
I hope to meet some of you on Thursday. Tobe will be so happy to see so many TVR's in the village and so will his family and I. I can't think of a better way to give him a special send off.
Huge hugs and lots of love to everyone who knew him
Chrissie x
I am Toby's girlfriend Chrissie. I just want to thank you all so much for your kind words and thoughts. Alan told me about your forum but it has taken me until now to be able to read it and it really has bought some comfort. It is great to hear how much Toby was respected in the community.
The last time Tobes took me out it was in a bright orange Sagaras. I feel so honered to have seen how much joy he got from driving and to share the experience with him (not that he would ever have let me drive it, and I did try!)
He really was a very special and precious young man whoes passion for cars, life, his family and friends was infecious. Words can't describe how much we will miss him.
I hope to meet some of you on Thursday. Tobe will be so happy to see so many TVR's in the village and so will his family and I. I can't think of a better way to give him a special send off.
Huge hugs and lots of love to everyone who knew him
Chrissie x
I was shocked to hear of Toby’s death in this thread only this morning. A feeling of unease has been with me all day so far and shows no sign of going away.
I’ve been looking contemplatively at the Tuscan parked outside, the car he introduced me to just over a month ago. I remember spending a total of about six hours in his company over two weekends. I remember the test drive along the A607; my endless and, doubtless, boring questions that he answered with unwavering enthusiasm; shaking hands on the deal; the post-sales ‘phone calls; his insistence that I speak with TMS about issues and concerns (even though I live 150 miles away). I remember thinking at the time, and still thinking, that regardless of motive he did the right thing and made me feel better for it.
I also remember the tenor of his words to me as I took over at the wheel for the first time on the test drive while the country was in the failing grips of winter: “take it easy”. I told him that he was right to say this because, after all, he knew nothing about me. To assuage his fears I added that (a) it wasn’t my car, and (b) I had a passenger. But you can imagine his trepidation, a feeling he may well have experienced on most test drives.
Knowing only that Toby was a passenger on the test drive that ended his life, I nonetheless feel the need to say that it is incumbent on all of us to take it easy when our responsibilities extend beyond our own wellbeing.
While I didn’t know him like his colleagues, friends and family did, it seems to me that the world needs more of Toby’s kind, not fewer.
I’ve been looking contemplatively at the Tuscan parked outside, the car he introduced me to just over a month ago. I remember spending a total of about six hours in his company over two weekends. I remember the test drive along the A607; my endless and, doubtless, boring questions that he answered with unwavering enthusiasm; shaking hands on the deal; the post-sales ‘phone calls; his insistence that I speak with TMS about issues and concerns (even though I live 150 miles away). I remember thinking at the time, and still thinking, that regardless of motive he did the right thing and made me feel better for it.
I also remember the tenor of his words to me as I took over at the wheel for the first time on the test drive while the country was in the failing grips of winter: “take it easy”. I told him that he was right to say this because, after all, he knew nothing about me. To assuage his fears I added that (a) it wasn’t my car, and (b) I had a passenger. But you can imagine his trepidation, a feeling he may well have experienced on most test drives.
Knowing only that Toby was a passenger on the test drive that ended his life, I nonetheless feel the need to say that it is incumbent on all of us to take it easy when our responsibilities extend beyond our own wellbeing.
While I didn’t know him like his colleagues, friends and family did, it seems to me that the world needs more of Toby’s kind, not fewer.
What a tragic event. I met Toby whilst working at the 2002 motorshow for Christopher Neil's. His passion for the TVR brand was very evident, and judging by previous posts his passion for life followed the same course. Alan, I wish you all the very best in searching for any answers you may seek, whilst you try to come to terms with this sudden loss of life. Rest assured Toby will be looking down on you all and helping you through the difficult times.
Stay strong as a family.
I will make sure a prayer is said for you at my parents church.
Andrew Hodgkinson (no relation)
Stay strong as a family.
I will make sure a prayer is said for you at my parents church.
Andrew Hodgkinson (no relation)
I can only echo what's already been said, Toby was a part of our TVR experience, when picking up our new car he shared the same excitement as me & Jane. He made it special. Always pleased to see us whenever we popped in.
Extraordinary cars, Extraordinary Guy,
Toby we'll miss you, and our thoughts are with you all
Rich & Jane
>> Edited by R&J on Tuesday 12th April 10:10
Extraordinary cars, Extraordinary Guy,
Toby we'll miss you, and our thoughts are with you all
Rich & Jane
>> Edited by R&J on Tuesday 12th April 10:10
Personally never met Toby; had never even heard of him till now (I'm terrible for not turning up to anything in the Midlands), so only really followed this thread initially with a morbid curiosity and a feeling of detached sorrow.
Having just read through it all, I can honestly say I've shed a tear. There's not much that'll bring me to that, which I think says a lot for the esteem he's clearly held in. May he, and all involved, find peace one way or another.
Having just read through it all, I can honestly say I've shed a tear. There's not much that'll bring me to that, which I think says a lot for the esteem he's clearly held in. May he, and all involved, find peace one way or another.
I will be thinking of you today. I didn't feel I could go to the funeral but will hold a minutes silence for Toby at 10.30.
I only met him at TMS through my partners love of the cars and have been shocked at the loss to you all. I too have shed a tear and I have much sympathy for Chrissie as I cannot imagine how I would feel if it had been my partner.
To Tobys parents - people will never forget him. The comments my dry up but the memories will be there forever. He was a really great guy. You must be very proud.
My thoughts are with you.
I only met him at TMS through my partners love of the cars and have been shocked at the loss to you all. I too have shed a tear and I have much sympathy for Chrissie as I cannot imagine how I would feel if it had been my partner.
To Tobys parents - people will never forget him. The comments my dry up but the memories will be there forever. He was a really great guy. You must be very proud.
My thoughts are with you.
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