Roy Lane

[AndyMil]

Another great has passed away.

hope there's no more this year, it's been terrible for the hillclimbing family

[Peter Mallett]

Sad news. He was known to many motorsport enthusiasts even if they weren't into hillclimbing.

[Peter Dunne]

Very sad indeed.

RIP.

[b1ackcr0w]

Wow. It's rare that the term "Legend of the sport" gets used correctly. It's difficult to overstate how much Roy will be missed. RIP

[Peat]

How sad. My uncle used to take me to Hillclimbs when i was ickle and Roy Lane was 'THE MAN' on the scene at the time.

RIP

[911thillclimber]

Good Grief.
Just when will this all stop.

Fantastic competitor, great bloke, and always had time for me to chat about the cars I was hillclimbing.

He suffered for a very long time after such a spell in the sport.

THE top hillclimber.

I had the fortune to be on startline marshal at a very wet Loton and his car control of the big Judd was sublime and miles ahead of the others. Skilled indeed.

What a shock.

Peace be with him now.

[Woolley]

Uncle Roy to all of us in the hillclimbing fraternity. A fantastic racer, the epitome of speed and precision, he was my hero when I first started spectating. Later, through the marshalling, I got to know him and was overjoyed that with Roy you could ignore the usual rule of 'never meet your heros in case you're disappointed'. He proved to be a hero in personality as well - charming, friendly, always approachable and often a source of a great quote. In fact one of my most memorable moments involved both Roy and Bob Dayson, ironically.

At a sporting trial a couple of years ago, Bob was competing, Roy spectating. Bob's exhaust had broken and was making a right racket, and as he ascended my hill I congratulated him on the day's noisiest climb.

"You can hear the talent for miles", said Bob, to which Roy replied in a flash "No, Bob, your exhaust is drowning it out!"

A remarkable man in every way, if there is a heaven you can be sure Roy got there quickest.

Condolences to Betty and all of the family, enjoy your stay in the top paddock, Roy.

[Stuart Hill]

RIP a TRUE gentleman.

[dave vass]

I am so shocked and saddened to read that Roy has died, and so close to Bob Dayson's passing away. How devastating for the hillclimb and sporting car trial fraternities to lose two such popular characters. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends.

[M Greenslade]

Roy was a friend of a friend who used to help prepare cars for him and on his day he was unbeatable on the hills, I was shocked and saddened at his passing, he will be much missed.

Bladders..................

[euromarshal]

RIP

[rbs]

Roy was also a regular at MAC Race meetings some years ago. His single seaters managed an odd win or two in Formula Libre races. A great bloke who will be missed.

[ranoff]

From Martyn Griffiths

At the request of the Lane family there will be a private funeral for Roy during the week commencing 19th October.

There will be a service of celebration of his life on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at 12 o’clock at St. Mary’s Church in Warwick when all are welcome.

[b1ackcr0w]

Once again, thanks for the message Ed. Once again, I'm sure hillclimbers will make their feelings known by force of numbers at this event.

[G.Walker]

Great shame, I saw him many times at Shelsley & Loton.

True Legend of Hillclimbing.

[mallockman24]

What a joy to see them both at Shelsley. Conversation with Roy punctuated with breaks as he concentrated on the next 'big banger' leaving the line, always totally immersed in the technicalities of the search for perfection. Shouted greetings with Bob across a crowded paddock and to my eternal regret his having to leave before we could put the world to rights. Charming, witty, self effacing, I hope he has taken his tool box as I'm sure he will find something that he requires fixing in his new garage. Each a star in their own way, I am honored to have known them.