Sadly James has lost the battle with his illness and has passsed away.
A fellow Bedfordshire man, mainly known for his historic racing and VSCC trialling exploits, James cut his teeth in local trials in the Chiltern area, driving an Austin Seven he built from a box of bits his Dad gave him for his birthday. And who can forget him with a borrowed 30/98 Vauxhall, laden with half a dozen people bouncing in unison as they cleared the sections at Brickhill.
When he started racing he was very good and drove many exotic cars on behalf of their owners.
He still loved trialling though and was a regular on VSCC events. The last time I saw him was on last years Clee when he drove his Brescia Bugatti with all his renowned enthusiasm to the delight of fellow competitors, marshals and spectators alike.
He will be sorely missed.
Michael
As one of the hundreds of competitors who will have competed in a same event, Iwish to join in paying tribute to an enthusiast once encountered, never forgotten, not only for his delightful machinery, but for his exuberant and committed style, and extrovert nature. Particular recollections are of his driving the 30/98 at an Alfa Romeo Owners Club PCT at Dorking - again with a full complement of equally exuberant bouncers, but where his progress was thwarted by the tightness of some of the sections. - And of his campaigning the A7 at a number of East Anglian PCT's - recalling one conversation at the Chelmsford Motor Club Mill Hill PCT, and of his graphic description- complete with gesticulations - of controlling a 'tank slapper' whilst racing the A7 -"...otherwise I could have kissed my ar** good-bye!" A great character of the sport. Dave Cook has accessible through his 'site recent photos of James on the 2007 VSCC Derbyshire Trial. John Plant
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