I appreciated, even from a young age, what Dad was doing in the rally car. Being able to go and watch him at local events, and seeing him appear on TV for the Ashley Forest events was very special.

As a young kid, I was aware that Dad would disappear for events, but I didn’t really appreciate how good he was behind the wheel. I really only began to realise this as I got a little older and listened to the TV presenters talk about him, and connected the dots between this and the trophies that kept turning up after events. I imagine that any kid who sees their Dad on TV thinks they are famous.

I can remember going to events when I was still at primary school. We used to turn up and watch a few stages, and I remember with fondness, the night rallies. As kids it was especially fun as it meant we were allowed to stay up past bedtime. I will never forget standing out in the forest, listening to the cars as they got closer, and their lights turn our completely dark viewing spot to daylight for a few moments as they sped past us. We were often watching along with friends and the families of Dad’s crew. Fun times.

One of the best memories of winter as a primary kid was when the school bus couldn’t run. Either school would be closed for the day, or if we got caught at school in the snow, Dad would occasionally bring the rally car out to take us home. He would strap me and my younger sister, Rebecca, in the co-driver’s seat and I am sure our older sister Jane would have had the same experience. He didn’t drive home sedately. It was perhaps 6km from school to home and the high speed skids on the way home in the snow were about as much fun as a kid could have! We definitely had sore faces from all the smiling! One winter when snow arrived Dad made several trips, taking kids home all around the valley. That was obviously a very memorable day as it was brought up by friends for quite a few years afterwards.

After I finished school, I moved to Dunedin to attend university and was invited to co-drive for Aaron Scott. I had co-driven for Dad prior to that in rallysprints and hillclimbs and I remember a rally in Taringatura forest. I had very few responsibilities, but it gave me a good sense of it all. Aaron and I did two seasons in the Mainland series together in a Mk II escort. Not long after that, Dad (maybe it was Wade, his co-driver) made the co-driver seat available for me.

We went on to win the 1991 Catlins Coast Rally together. The win was great, but being able to line up in the car with Dad whether it was a small local event or the Rally of Southland is something that is hard to explain in words. Sharing in something this fun together and working as a team, was quite different to our normal day to day life on the farm. Plus, it was a thrill to know I was about to get an exhilarating co-drive with someone who was pretty bloody good.

I was always acutely aware of how he drove. There was never a question in my confidence with his ability, and that can’t be understated, in the bond and relationship we had in the car. Dad was generally very calm in the car. There were always a few swear words, normally early in a rally until he found his groove. Dad used to tell a story about a particular incident where I taught him some new swear words, but that is a story best left for another time!

Many stories have been told about Dad’s exploits, and it is obvious he was hugely respected by his contemporaries and has influenced a number of them. It is awesome to hear the stories, reflections and memories of Dad.

Nothing can replace that!