The Club regrets to report the death of Life Member John Morris, who passed away on 27 June 2026 at the age of 82, following a long period of illness. With help gratefully received from John’s son Jim, the following tribute has been prepared.
Born in Bolton, John developed a passion for cars from a very young age. His early career was spent with the Bank of England in both Manchester and London before he established his finance business, Kenmar, in Solihull, West Midlands. A keen squash player, John was also Lancashire Junior champion in 1952.
John’s first taste of motor sport came in 1967 in a Lotus Cortina purchased from the late Natalie Goodwin and Cyd Williams, with whom he became lifelong friends. He raced mainly at his local and favourite circuit, Oulton Park. The Cortina sadly met its demise at Old Hall Corner in spectacular fashion in 1968. The remains were rebuilt into a Twin Cam Escort by a group of friends, and John campaigned the car successfully across the country, achieving numerous class victories.
Following a sabbatical, when he moved to the Midlands to establish Kenmar, John was keen to resume racing. Brief spells with both a Ford Mustang and a Clubmans car proved problematic and uncompetitive.
In 1975, John purchased a Mk1 Escort Mexico from Neil McGrath to compete in the Penthouse Escort Mexico one-make series. He raced in the championship until 1978, becoming a regular front-runner in both Mk1 and Mk2 Escort Mexico’s. In 1976, John entered the Tour of Britain in a Mk1 Escort Mexico, finishing second in class in the demanding multi-discipline event.
For 1978, John stepped up to the British Saloon Car Championship with a newly built Mk2 Escort Mexico. Although it proved to be a valuable learning season, the Mexico was not competitive in Class C, and it was replaced for 1979 by a Volkswagen Scirocco GTI.
Fortunes changed dramatically with the Volkswagen marque. The Scirocco was immediately competitive, delivering class victories in its first season. In 1981, with support from Volkswagen UK, John exchanged the Mk1 Scirocco for the ex-Richard Lloyd Akai Golf GTI and enjoyed two highly competitive seasons in the British Saloon Car Championship, securing several class wins, including Class victory in the 1981 Tourist Trophy at Silverstone.
With the introduction of Group A regulations in 1983, John raced a Mk2 Scirocco GTI built by John Maguire Racing, again with Volkswagen UK backing. Car and driver set the pace in Class C throughout the season, but despite numerous class wins, unreliability ultimately prevented a championship challenge.
For 1984, the Scirocco remained, but a change in homologation regulations forced the car into Class B with a larger 1.8-litre engine, leaving it uncompetitive against the 2.3-litre Alfa Romeos. In 1985, John returned to the Ford marque with an RS1600i, racing alongside Chris Hodgetts under the Brooklyn Garages banner and enjoying another competitive season.
A lack of budget forced John to sit out the 1986 season, but he returned in 1987 with Volkswagen, competing in the Uniroyal and Monroe Production Saloon Car Championships in a Mk2 Golf GTI 16V. He enjoyed numerous class victories, including the Willhire 24-Hour Race at Snetterton alongside Bob Meacham and Barrie Williams, before securing the Class C title in the 1988 Uniroyal Championship.
In 1989, John returned to the British Saloon Car Championship with a Class C Mk2 Golf GTI 16V, although it proved unable to match the pace of the dominant Vauxhall Astra driven by John Cleland. Remaining loyal to Volkswagen, John competed in the newly formed National Saloon Car Championship for Group N cars during 1990 and 1991 in another Mk2 Golf GTI 16V, adding many more class victories before finally hanging up his helmet at the end of the 1991 season.
One aspect of John’s career that earned widespread respect was that he remained a true privateer throughout. Running his own team, often with the support of family and close friends, he consistently took the fight to better-funded manufacturer-backed entries. His cars were always prepared to the highest standards and were renowned throughout the paddock for their immaculate presentation, reflecting the pride, professionalism and attention to detail that John brought to every aspect of his racing.
Although retired from driving, John remained deeply involved in the sport. In 1994, he helped his son Jim establish Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems, which has grown into one of the world’s leading motorsport safety equipment manufacturers, supplying many of the world’s premier motorsport series.
John was a proud member of the BRDC and a regular visitor to the Clubhouse until ill health prevented him from attending during the past few years.
To Lois, John’s partner of more than 20 years, his daughter Jane, and his son Jim, the BRDC extends its heartfelt condolences.
A celebration of John’s life will take place on Tuesday 21 July at 1.30 pm at St John the Baptist Church, Church Lane, Berkswell, Coventry CV7 7BJ, followed by a gathering at Nailcote Hall, Nailcote Lane, Berkswell, Coventry CV7 7DE.
Further details are available from J. Deeley & Son. Donations may be made in memory of John to Race Against Dementia. BRDC Members and friends are warmly welcome to attend.