Gee and I have been overwhelmed and deeply touched by so many cards, letters and tributes offering sympathy and sorrow at the loss of our dear Mark. So through the Acorn I truly hope that you will accept our heartfelt thanks. To all club members who attended Mark’s funeral, internment and returned to our home, may we again thank you.

Those of you who knew Mark know what a fighter he was, never once did it occur to him that he was going to lose this last “race”. The Sevenoaks Motorclub became part of his life, and as Competition Secretary he got so much satisfaction from this position. We never heard a complaint from him and no doubt the success he achieved was very rewarding.

Mark – the Competitor. How he enjoyed all aspects of motor sport. To watch him was both tense and exciting to say the least. At a sprint at Longcross, I suggested that he could brake 10-15 yards later and perhaps save ½ a second. I was wrong of course because at the tight lefthander he went straight on. No more advice was offered. Mark was in a class in which he stood little chance ever of winning to which he replied “That is not important, I enjoy driving the “Shovit”.” As all you competitors know, this is typical of Mark, the true sportsman.

Tears are streaming from my eyes as I write these notes of our beloved son. Gee and I thank each and every member for their kind thoughts, cards and letters – it makes us very proud of our Mark.

Right to the very end Mark was still talking about the club. He was sorry that he hadn’t made a will and from his estate he said to Gee and I that he very much wanted to leave the club a sum of money “because the club was part of my life and I got so much pleasure from Sevenoaks”. We replied, “If that is your wish it shall be done.” He smiled.

And finally our sincere thanks and appreciation go to Karen, Vivian and Dawn for the superb spread you girls laid on – Mark would have been proud of you, such true friends. We could not have managed without your help.