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Ken Ayre 1928 - 2008
Ken was an ex-President of NDMC and a Vice President.
Ken first joined NDMC way back in 1948 after a 2 year stint in the RAF. His passion was his motorcycles and rallying, In those days the rally car was the everyday car and tales of sticking polythene down the sides of his Mk3 Zodiac to avoid scratching it on a rally were regularly recounted. Ken later moved on to a Cortina GT, where he was assisted by Bert Tucker in the hot seat, they broke down on one rally and were a short distance from Bert’s house, a swap to Bert’s Saab enabled them to finish the rally, the results showing the car as Cortina Saab, don’t think the MSA would let that one go in the present day. After a brief unsuccessful stint in a Mini Cooper, Ken bought another Mk1 Cortina in the shape of an ex Alan Mann Racing GT complete with works registration COO742B. This car with Stuart alongside was Ken’s most successful period and they won the NDMC Championship and were regularly the top NDMC finishers on the Ilfracombe Rally, not only with the Cortina. but also with the 3 litre Capri’s which were campaigned in the mid 1970’s. Ken’s driving skills didn’t go unnoticed, in the late 60’s he was part of a team of drivers and navigators who took part in the Trial 6000, where they drove a Brabham Vauxhall Viva Estate around Devon, non-stop for 6000 miles, an offer of a works supported drive from Vauxhall followed, but was turned down due to the family business commitments.
Ken was also active in many other disciplines, autotest, autocross and trials, Ken is probably one of only a few to use a 3 litre Capri on a Classic Trial, the trenches dug at the bottom of Putshole Woods are probably still there today!
Ken was very active in the early years helping out on Sprint events on Winkleigh Airfield and Chivenor in the mid 70’s and was a key member of the team of NDMC members, who had the foresight to purchase Sugworthy.
He was also a respected Stage Commander and was regularly called upon for the Somerset Stages & South West Stages, he was Clerk of the Course at the NDMC Autocrosses for many years in the 70’s and he could always be found in the early hours of the morning on Beggars Roost, helping out on the Lands End Trial. In recent years Ken’s health restricted him from many of the things he loved, but he continued to hold the August Club night in the field at Goodleigh and was at this year’s Autocross, where he presented the club with an NDMC flag.
TRIBUTES.......
If anyone would like to add their own tribute or memories of Ken please e-mail the webmaster@ndmc.org.uk or by post to 3 Willow Tree Road, Rumsam, Barnstaple, EX32 9ET. These will be added on a daily basis.
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Some photograph supplied by Steve Parker, typical memories of Ken!
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