David Sutton

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The Brummie

Original Poster:

9,371 posts

186 months

Tuesday 6th April 2021
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Just read that he passed away today.

Not a good year so far.

RIP.

coppice

8,561 posts

143 months

Wednesday 7th April 2021
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Oh that is so sad. I was once at a sort of motorsport dinner party in Warwickshire and got talking to David and his wife., former rally driver Jill Robinson . He was very friendly , full of anecdotes , many of them scandalous , and at one point excused himself , returning 15 minutes later. He'd nipped home to collect a copy of his autobiography , which he signed and gave to me . It's on the bookshelf behind me.

Jill was fascinating too - I mentioned I could remember her in a B & H Gold Escort (which amazed her, as it was 45 years earlier ) and she regaled me with tales of the appalling Jimmy Savile, who was designated her co-driver on the RAC Rally in a PR stunt. He had lived down to expectations ...

Interesting night - another chap I got talking to turned out to be Richard Hudson- Evans, which may ring bells with older readers .

Riley Blue

20,914 posts

225 months

Wednesday 7th April 2021
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I once interviewed and spent a very enjoyable day with David. Starting at his home, he took me, in his Sport quattro, to a nearby pub for lunch - which he insisted on paying for. After lunch we headed for Daventry where he showed me round his premises including, of course, his collection of cars.

Then, with me driving the 'Sport', we returned to his home where my car was. I was in awe of both him and the car which, on hand-cut slicks, was really twitchy but he just laughed and urged me on. We said our goodbyes and I wrote a profile of him which he was so pleased with he phoned to thank me.

He was a real gentleman, utterly charming and great company. A very sad day.

zeb

3,193 posts

217 months

Wednesday 7th April 2021
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always connected with the rothmans escorts for me. still my favourite livery ever. RIP

aeropilot

34,296 posts

226 months

Thursday 8th April 2021
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coppice said:
Oh that is so sad. I was once at a sort of motorsport dinner party in Warwickshire and got talking to David and his wife., former rally driver Jill Robinson . He was very friendly , full of anecdotes , many of them scandalous , and at one point excused himself , returning 15 minutes later. He'd nipped home to collect a copy of his autobiography , which he signed and gave to me . It's on the bookshelf behind me.

Jill was fascinating too - I mentioned I could remember her in a B & H Gold Escort (which amazed her, as it was 45 years earlier ) and she regaled me with tales of the appalling Jimmy Savile, who was designated her co-driver on the RAC Rally in a PR stunt. He had lived down to expectations ...
Back in the early 80's I knew the guy that painted that car, and Jill's other rally cars. Vic painted a lot of Sooty Sutton's rally cars back in the early/mid 70's (pre-Rothmans era) up until Vic went into partnership with another guy and they bought their own bodyshop premises.

105.4

4,065 posts

70 months

Thursday 8th April 2021
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Bugger frown

Murray, Hannu and now Dave Sutton. Three of my childhood hero’s in quick succession, and three men who I’ve only ever heard stories of respect and admiration about them.