Steve O'Rourke

Sad news that Steve O'Rourke passed away yesterday after suffering a heart attack.

Rest in Peace to a racer who brought some truly wonderful cars to sportscar racing over many years.:(

That's dreadful news and a real shock.

He was very much one of the good guys, and one of the last of the great gentleman racers.

awful news, RIP Steve

I am sad to hear the loss of Steve O'Rourke to a heart attack, i wish his family all my regards.

Bloody hell, terrible news. A great sportsman and key to Pink Floyds success.

Wow, a big player in historic racing as well. He seemed like a really nice guy too. R.I.P

Dreadful news. A very likeable chap. I remember him having Tim Sugden as a co-driver for many years.

My deepest sympathy to Steve's family.

Sheila

:(

Really sad news-

In a way he was partly responsible for my being a sportscar racing fan- the second race meeting I ever went to was Group C at Slverstone in 1985, and apart from the Richard Lloyd Canon Porsche and the wonderful Lancias, the other car that made a big impression on me was his EMKA-Aston Martin- Silverstone of course was a few weeks before the EMKA crew's moment of glory when thanks to some clever thinking over timing their fuel stops, Tiff Needell led Le Mans in Steve's car. I've been a sportscar fan ever since, and have always particularly followed the fortunes of Steve and the EMKA Porsches in Britsh and FIA GT races, as well as his historic racing.




RIP

Oh dear, what a terrible shame. I had dealing with him when I worked for the company that organised Porsche racing in the early 90s and he was a very easy guy yo deal with and extremely enthusiastic about the sport. He put in far much more than he ever took out of the sport, especially with the EMKA project that led Le Mans in 85.

RIP Steve

This really is sad news. :(

Very sad news. I've got a thread running in PF which was prompted by listening to Pink Floyd. Gobsmacked and saddened.

My thoughts go to Steve's family and friends.

Sad news.

http://www.goodwood-racing.com/images/52to61formula/V9c15.jpg
Steve O'Rourke, BRM 25, 1999 Goodwood revival. http://www.goodwood-racing.com/g99reval/52to61formula/v9c15.htm

He went racing like you should...

Very sad news.

Sad news indeed. I remember Le Mans in 1998 when his EMKA McLaren F1 came in a fanatastic fourth. Truly a racer, who loved the sport. I'm beginning to wish this year would finish, it seems to have been one piece of bad news after another.

RIP Steve

Terrible News! A great Sportman and also succesful Manager. I shared a few words with him after his BRDC-GT-win in Spa 1999. A significiant loss for Sportscar racing!

Apologies for the first post guys - it seems I was misinformed. Steve was actually taken from us by a brain haemorrhage. No less tragic and unfair I know but I was wrong nonetheless.

very bad news....rest in peace...

Very sad news.RIP

Extremely sad news. I knew nothing of this until this morning, a big shock.
A true gent and a great enthusiast. RIP Steve.

I've held off posting here as I couldn't find the right words - I still can't.

he's helped one of my friends out a lot with his racing career, and will be missed.

very sad news :(

I'm so sad.

We raced against him and Tim for a few seasons, UK and Europe. He was a great Gentleman and Sportsman.

Last time I had to deal with Mr O'Rouke was on the opening lap of the GT final race a year or two ago. I'd got inside him but half dropped it and tagged his glorious McLaren. Which sent him into the kitty litter - I didn't go looking for him to apologise afterwards! Some weeks later, we were at a presentation for something and I was gliding down the side of the room with a cup of tea in hand. Then - BOOOM, a shoulder charge into the wall for me, tea dropped, composure ruffled.

"So sorry!" piped up the grinning Steve. "Didn't see you there!"

Motor Racing has lost a real enthusiast. Thanks Steve and Rest In Peace. We'll miss you ...

Originally posted by gfm
I'm so sad.

We raced against him and Tim for a few seasons, UK and Europe. He was a great Gentleman and Sportsman.

Last time I had to deal with Mr O'Rouke was on the opening lap of the GT final race a year or two ago. I'd got inside him but half dropped it and tagged his glorious McLaren. Which sent him into the kitty litter - I didn't go looking for him to apologise afterwards! Some weeks later, we were at a presentation for something and I was gliding down the side of the room with a cup of tea in hand. Then - BOOOM, a shoulder charge into the wall for me, tea dropped, composure ruffled.

"So sorry!" piped up the grinning Steve. "Didn't see you there!"

Motor Racing has lost a real enthusiast. Thanks Steve and Rest In Peace. We'll miss you ...

Thats a great story John, would that motor racing these days had a few more like that. Quite literally, and very sadly a dying breed :( Some times people forget that racing is firstly a sport, and secondly a form of enjoyment. Steve O'Rourke obviously enjoyed his sport to the full, and more power to his elbow for that.

It is reported elsewhere on the net that Pink Floyd performed with Roger Waters at the wake following Steve's funeral. They did two numbers, 'Fat Old Sun' and 'The Great Gig in the Sky.
It is many years since Roger has played with the band, a fine tribute to their lost friend and manager.

a great loss to historic and sportscar racing