NOTICE OF DEATH - MARC HAYNES (1968 - 2016)

With great sadness we have to report that Marc Haynes passed away yesterday.  As the son of John Haynes OBE, publisher of the famous Haynes Manuals and founder of the Haynes International Motor Museum, Marc was a passionate motor racing enthusiast who overcame the considerable disabilities with which he had been born to enjoy a very full involvement in the sport.  In 1989 he was the first paraplegic to obtain a racing licence from the RAC Motor Sports Association and was a regular competitor in national GT racing with Porsches and Ferraris.   When he was no longer able to race, Marc established the GT Cup which has succeeded in his aim of providing amateur enthusiasts with the opportunity to race against like-minded drivers in a congenial environment without the more serious and full time commitment of the British GT Championship. From its first year as a series in 2008, the GT Cup Championship has flourished since 2009 under Marc’s close attention to the wishes of the entrants and drivers.  Marc’s stated aim was that the GT Cup should be run ‘by racers for racers’.  

After gaining his BSC (Honours) Business Degree, Marc joined the family business initially as Business Development Manager before becoming Managing Director. The Haynes International Motor Museum underwent major refurbishment in 2014 when Marc became CEO, a position which he held until October last year after which he continued as a non-executive director of the company.

It was only in August this year that Marc was elected as an Associate Member of the BRDC in recognition of his exceptional contribution to British motor sport over a considerable period of time, in particular as an inspiration and source of support and encouragement to other disabled competitors. The BRDC offers its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of a remarkable man.  There will be a private cremation early in November and then a service of thanksgiving for Marc's life later in the November.  Marc’s family would like to welcome everyone to join them in remembering a remarkable man at a thanksgiving service to be held at Sherborne Abbey at 2pm on Monday 21st November 2016.  Due to the large numbers expected to join us in celebrating Marc’s life we ask that you please email amanda.wilson@himm.co.uk to register your attendance. Charitable donations will be collected on the day for Cancer Research UK and Muscular Dystrophy UK.  Refreshments will follow at the Haynes International Museum.