It is with much sadness and heavy heart that we announce the death of our ever-popular Chief Marshal – Steve Sanders. Steve finally lost his brave battle against throat cancer at 8pm Friday 15th Sept in Exeter hospital.

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Steve's love of motor sport and North Devon Motor Club could be seen with the enthusiasm in which he put his heart and soul into every aspect of the sport from competitor, marshal, official and organiser. He started his involvement with the club before he held a driving licence and would ride miles on his bicycle to take up his position as marshal or to help wherever it was needed. If ever there was a task to be done in the club and Steve was there you knew it 'would' get done. He was very active on the club's committee having held various positions over the years and recently held the position of the club's Chief Marshal. He would not allow his illness to get in his way.

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Steve has been a very brave and courageous person, over the recent months he would not 'let on' that he was suffering. He always had a smile and a joke to tell, even after he lost his voice he managed to converse with his fellow members and friends - the humour was still there.

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Steve will be missed greatly by all those who knew him, the club meetings/events will not be the same. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family at this very difficult time.

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Steve asked that his hearse be followed by a cavalcade of Rally Cars from Fremington Church to the Crematorium.

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TRIBUTES

If anyone would like to add their own tribute or memories of Steve 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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I met Steve while he was working for Bob Tucker. We became good friends and Steve became my spanner man/mechanic in 1998 for my campaign to win the Formula Blue Karting Championship at Dunkeswell as well as doing the Nationals that year. We won the championship and finished 8th in the Nationals that year. Steve never let me down which was one of his many great characteristics and we were a great team together (I had to be careful what I fed him though as it could get a little windy and we lived in a confined space while on the road...if you get my jist!!). We lost touch for a few years after he married but in the last year during his illness we met up quite a lot. His courage and fortitude throughtout the illness was testimony to the big hearted and brave man Steve was. I will miss him greatly as will many I'm certain.

Jonathan Munns, 20th Sept 2006.

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Hi all,
I took this picture of Steve with his Mini at the NDMC Motorsports Show. Regretfully Steve didn't get to see it. Feel free to use it so that others do.

Steve Parker, 20th Sept 2006.

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As my role as Assistant Paddock Marshal on the Chivenor Sprint this year (2006), I got to see many competitors on my rounds up and down the pit. One thing that stuck out every time I got to the far end where Steve was parked was his sheer enthusiasm. More than any other competitor Steve was literally waiting with anticipation for me to get there as he knew it was then his turn for another go round the track. You could see the delight on his face as he drove back into the paddock from his run, and although he couldn't speak in great length, he didn't need to, his happiness was literally glowing from him.

I knew Steve in many ways through marshalling, competing and not least his role on the North Devon Motor Club Committee. I remember from our meetings before the Chivenor Sprint, Steve was prepared to help in so many ways that if needed he was going to marshal, organise and compete all on the same event!! This showed just how determined a man Steve was to me, and his willingness to help was clearly evident.

Steve Sanders, a great loss to Motorsport, North Devon Motor Club, and not least his friends and family.

Scott Cleverdon, 21st Sept 2006.

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To all at North Devon Motor Club and the family of Steve Sanders

On return from my holiday, I am very saddened to hear of Steve's death, and offer sincere condolencences to you all.
Steve will be greatly missed, he has been a valued supporter of WRGB since at least 1994, when I first became involved, and will always be remembered as a 'stalwart'.
His memory will live on at WRGB.

kindest regards

Marie Du Croq-Slip, Resource Officer, 28th Sept 2006.

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Hi,
I came to the site to look for news on the Exmoor Trial and find this obituary to Steve Sanders.
I can't say how shocked and saddened I am by it.
I've been out of the county for several years now and didn't know of Steves illness but I can still remember his enthusiasm and kindness.
My heart goes out to his family and friends.

Antoinette Ross 18th Dec.2006

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Every one will miss you Steve. I remember when me and Steve went to the sprint up cornwall and on the way back he trusted me to read the map what a big mistake that was, we went right round the coast of cornwall that was funny. I will be competing in Gymkhana's now in the mini, as Team DGAF (for those of you who dont know what it means its Team Dont Give A F**K)

Also thank you to every one else who has left a comment 

Bradley Down 28th April 2007

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Steve was the best Step Dad in the world, he was always there for us and would never let anyone down. He loved his motorsport and once told me I would go with him to a race when it was possible for him to take me. Regretfully that day will never come now. I hope that everyone who knew him will remember him for the fun loving person he was. He meant so much to us all and he still means a lot to me.

Rest in peace Dad,
I'll never forget you.

Ashley xxxx 15th August 2008