NOTICE OF DEATH - TONY FLETCHER (1943 - 2024)

It is with great regret that we have to inform Members of the death of Tony Fletcher on Monday 18 November after losing his brave battle with cancer.  He was 81 years old and had been an Associate Member of the BRDC since 2003. A regular visitor to the Clubhouse and supporter of the Club’s social activities, in 2017 he became Regional Co-ordinator for the East Midlands region in succession to Tim Parnell. 

Tony began his involvement in motor sport in the late 1950s as the passenger on a three-wheel motor cycle outfit before going on to compete with a Mini-Cooper and a Lotus Elan in hillclimbs. In 1958 he joined Balfour Darwin as an apprentice tool maker before progressing to become a design draughtsman followed by chief designer of special purpose machines.

From 1970 Tony became Smith Wilson’s divisional product development manager and was instrumental in obtaining the Worldwide patent for the method of manufacturing the Posidriv screws and fixings. In 1975 he moved to Woodville Polymer Engineering Ltd where one of his main projects was the development of the wing slot sealing system for the British Aerospace Tornado. Woodville’s first customers in motor sport were Lola, Ford and Broadspeed. However, when Colt Industries took over Woodville and decided not to be involved in the manufacture of fuel cells for motor sport purposes, Tony departed and set up his own company Premier Fuel Systems Ltd in 1979.

Tony’s new company prospered both in the motor sport sphere, where Premier Fuel Systems held approximately 60% of the world market for fuel cells whilst also expanding into new markets for aircraft, marine and military purposes.  Tony became Chairman of the company before retiring in 2010. He became Chairman of the Automotive Manufacturers’ Racing Association in which capacity he was involved with the FIA Technical Committee in relation to fuel cell and refuelling matters.

Aside from his motor sport interests, Tony was a keen golfer, becoming Captain of Breedon Priory Golf Club from 1993 to 1994 and Chairman from1993 to 1998. He was also involved for a time in the BRDC Archive committee and the RAC MSA Race Restructure Committee.

To his wife Mary and to his four children and their families the BRDC offers its most sincere condolences.  A funeral service for Tony will be held at 2.00pm on Tuesday 17 December at the the Amber Valley Memorial Park and Crematoriumm Derby Road, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 1BH.  A wake will then be held afterwards at Santo's Higham Farm Hotel, Main Road, Higham, Derbyshire DE55 6EH and BRDC Members are welcome to attend.  Anybody wishing to attend is encouraged to contact the Club office so that email instructions can be passed on.

Funeral details will be notified to Members when available.