Chris Fawkes

We have received the following message from Terry Scannell, well known to many modern members as CoC at Snetterton. The club sends its condolences to Chris Fawkes's family and friends

I received the sad news at the weekend of the passing of a former Monoposto Racing Club member, Mr Chris Fawkes.

I had the pleasure of being Chris's mechanic, for the duration of his five years competing with the club, which was only curtailed due to illness.

Chris was an extremely popular and enthusiastic member of the club during this period and always spoke of his experiences with a fond memory of the very welcoming and friendly manner of all the club members and they manner in which they would all, so willingly offer assistance or advice then with extreme determination try to beat him on track!!

Terry has supplied the following memories of his friend.

It is with great sadness that I have to report the death of Chris Fawkes on Friday 26th February 2010, following a period of ill heath, at the age of 66 years.

Chris was an active member of the Monoposto Racing Club during the period from 1980 to 1985 competing in March 733 and 773 cars, which I had the priviledge to prepare for Chris with the enthusiastic support of his devoted wife Maggie and son Kim.

I fondly remember the day at Donnington when Chris, in his venerable March 733, managed to gain Pole position against the much more modern ground effect equipped competitors including Godfrey Hall and George Whitehead. To see the big grin and sheer joy on Chris’s face when the practice results sheets were published is something I will never forget. Chris managed to finish 5th in the Championship in only his 1st season of racing in 1981, this following a year of assisting Colin Thorpe and myself to run Alex Lowe during his Championship winning year in 1980.

Chris‘s boundless enthusiasm continued into the his 3rd season with the purchase of a March 773 chassis in which he completed for another two seasons before being diagnosed as suffering with Diabetes, which resulted in Chris’s retirement from active Motorsport, when he moved to the Isle of Wight and purchased a powerboat! Chris and Maggie subsequently moved to Devon and it is here that the family settled for the latter part of Chris’s life where Chris continued his passion for motor related sport with offroading whenever possible and also learning to fly.

Prior to taking up motorsport Chris had battled with and overcome cancer and had built, with the support of Maggie, a very successful business career which then enabled him to undertake one of his dreams he had when younger but which at the time family and business commitments did not allow.

I know that Chris and his family really felt at home within the Monoposto family and this period in life meant so much to him, with the many friendships and the total support and encouragement that he received from his fellow competitors in the Mono paddock.

Chris was always a totally positive, extremely generous, caring and kind man who always had an excellent sense of humour and it would always brighten your day just by being in his presence.

I am confident that members of the Monoposto Racing Club would wish to join me in offering Maggie, Kim and the family and their friends our sincere condolences and best wishes at this sad time.

Terry Scannell

Lining up for the start in March 733 at Castle Combe.

733 again alongside Godfrey Hall (Lynx = RT3 replica) and ahead of George Whitehead (WRA).

773 at Shaw's Hairpin, Mallory