Dean Delamont

The man best remembered for his work at the Motor Sport Division of the RAC, has died.

In his 30 years at Britain’s governing body, Delamont was a key figure in the postwar development of the sport, both in Britain and globally.

After leaving school, he spent 10 years working as a journalist with the Southern Newspaper Group in the ’30s, before joining MG to take charge of its fleet of press vehicles.

In WWII, he worked for the Inspectorate of Fighting Vehicles under Colonel Barnes, former manager of the pre-war Singer racing team.

Following a brief period at the Ministry of Transport, Delamont joined the RAC and progressed through the ranks to become head of its motorsport division. From there he guided and shaped the sport with common sense and passion, earning respect on an international basis.

As well as encouraging and developing all forms of the sport in the UK, Delamont also played a central role at the FIA. In 1969, he famously made Porsche produce 25 versions of the 917 before the car was accepted into international sportscar racing.

Later, he was instrumental in running the 1970 and ’74 World Cup rallies, a time when Delamont saw the marathon format as a way to get motorsport running again after the oil crisis. He was also responsible for encouraging friend Prof Sid Watkins to take on the role of chief medical officer at race meetings.

As the 1970s drew to a close, ‘The Dean’ retired, handed over control of what is now the MSA to Basil Tye, and enjoyed a long and well-deserved retirement. PL