British motorsport leader John Quenby passes away
Published: 14/09/2023
The Motor Cycling Club (MCC) and Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) are saddened to hear of the passing of John Quenby, 81, and send their condolences to John’s family and friends at this difficult time.
The MCC is Britain’s oldest sporting motor club for motorcycles and cars.
Says the MCC: “John was one of the most influential figures in British Motorsport with positions with RACMSA and World Motor Sport Council. John helped secure the future of the MSA by being recognised as the specific UK Governing Body for four-wheeled motorsport.
“John was one of the instigators of the affiliation with the Welsh Assembly Government. This led to Rally GB being successfully supported by the region with hosting of special stages in the Welsh Forests from 1997 - 2019. He also set up the British Motor Sport Training Trust, now the British Motorsport Trust which supports MSUK clubs and officials.
“John made changes so staff at the RACMSA could start to compete in trials, in turn bringing him to start competing himself in our very own MCC trials. He was a regular competitor in our trials during his sojourn at the top of the MSA. Not just any trials, but ours, and only ours.”
Expressing its sympathy, FBHVC Chairman David Whale recalls: "John was a staunch supporter of the Federation and during his time as Chief Executive of RACMSA he generously made their premises, Motorsport House in Colnbrook, available for Federation meetings held in their large and impressive meeting room in the shadow of an amazing trophy cabinet.
"He attended these meetings himself and his knowledge and experience from many years involvement in both two and four wheeled motorsport were invaluable. As these were mostly evening meetings John was often there late at night to lock up after the last delegate departed!
"He was also generous in providing the assistance of the considerable reach and resource of RACMSA to the activities of the Federation where this was possible within his remit. He was a significant figure in the formative years of the Federation as we know it today."
Official biography
John Quenby (30 October 1941 – August 2023) was a British motorsport administrator who was Chief Executive of the RAC Motor Sports Association (1990–2001), the official governing body of motorsport in the United Kingdom. He was also director of the Auto-Cycle Union (1995–1998), Chairman of the Speedway Control Board (1998–2002) and of the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board (1995–2000).
Educated at Bedford Modern School and the Open University, John started his business career with Granada plc becoming managing director of Granada Overseas Holdings Limited and holding numerous other directorships at subsidiary companies of Granada.
In 1990 he became Chief Executive of the RAC Motor Sports Association, the official governing body of motorsport in the United Kingdom, a position he held until 2001. He was also a director of the Auto-Cycle Union (1995–98), Chairman of the Speedway Control Board (1998–2002) and former Chairman of the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board (1995–2000).
After his retirement, John was the branch Chairman of the Royal British Legion and Chairman of the Friends of the Intelligence Corps Museum since 2011. He was a member of the MCC and the RAC Club.
