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VALE JOHN "Stomper" Winterburn |
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Today, We received the
very sad news that Willowbank Raceway's John
"Stomper" Winterburn has passed away
unexpectedly, and he will be sadly missed by all
of his family and friends.
Only a few days ago
he was honoured for his lengthy and meritorious
service to the sport with news that he will be
inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall
of Fame for 2021.
We are all so glad he
knew about this induction before he passed
today, as it is a fitting tribute to his work in
the sport for over 50 years.
John's list of
achievements is endless, but here is a
summary.... Winterburn's contribution to
Queensland and Australian drag racing involves
an unmatched 54 continuous years of service.
He began his
connection with the sport in 1966, aged 17, when
he volunteered to be an official at the opening
event of Surfers Paradise International Raceway.
He spent 21 years as
an official at Surfers, 15 years as that track's
meeting director, then when Surfers closed, was
Willowbank Raceway meeting director for 14
years.
Winterburn was a
member of the Willowbank Raceway management
committee for 35 years, the first 32 of which he
was president of the board. He stood down from
the board in 2017, but remains an official at
the track.
On April 10, 2016, at
the former site of Surfers Raceway, Willowbank
Raceway made a presentation to Winterburn to
acknowledge 50 years as an official. The plaque
read: From the moment John Winterburn answered a
request to help out at the first meeting at
Surfers Raceway in 1966, he devoted his life to
the goal of drag racing excellence. He exerted
an enormously positive impact on the sport
through his dedication, selfless commitment and
organisation skills. This lifetime endeavor went
hand-in-hand with a level of integrity that was
beyond reproach.
In 2017, the board of
management appointed Winterburn the first
Lifetime Patron of Willowbank Raceway and also
presented him with a silver ring in recognition
of his valuable contributions to drag racing.
Willowbank Raceway
president Tony Wedlock said Winterburn was there
from the very start of drag racing at Surfers
and when he and Willowbank's firs manager Dennis
Syrmis realised Surfers would not survive
development on the Gold Coast, they were
instrumental in helping get Willowbank off the
ground.
"So, Stomper was also
there from the very start of Willowbank.
"Stomper is also remembered as one of the
'Willowbank Seven' from the management committee
who signed mortgage documents guaranteeing a
bank loan that allowed them to pave the race
track. That's dedication, putting your money
where your mouth is and we would not be here if
not for Stomper and others like him.
"This is international
recognition for the enormously valuable role
Stomper has played in the development of drag
racing, not just in Queensland, but in
Australia, because the fantastic success of the
sport in this state led to a strengthening of
drag racing Australia-wide and Stomper as a huge
part of that," Wedlock said.
"As far as drag racing
goes, Stomper is a national treasure and this
recognition is most appropriate and well
deserved. "The time and the effort Stomper has
spent in the service of the sport is
unparalleled and will never be surpassed. He has
devoted all his adult life working towards the
goad of drag racing excellence and he certainly
achieved that."
Thank You John
RIP John "Stomper"
Winterburn |
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