Tributes have flooded in for the 12 time Asphalt Rally Champion John Price, who sadly passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday after a long illness.
In the 24 hours since his son Stephen announced the heart-breaking news, there has been an incredible outpouring of emotion on social media – with the rally community coming together to share both their grief and found memories of a true national asphalt rally legend.
Here is a very small selection of the tributes that have been published:
Motorsports UK: “RIP John Price. A legend of the sport. Let’s remember him doing what he loved the most – pushing a Metro 6R4 to the limits. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
Damian Cole: “RIP John Price, the benchmark for Tarmac rallying in the UK. An inspiration, a legend and a hero.”
John Stone: “So sad to hear that JP passed away. He was our benchmark, friend and the fiercest competitor. Can’t remember the amount of times that John, Stephen and Caroline helped us out over the years. From trying to keep in front of him at Millbrook, to showing us the lines over Epynt on the fastest ever recce….to shaking his hand win or lose. Our thoughts are with Carline, Steve and JP’s family.”
Geoff Kitney: “So sorry to here of JP’s passing. A great competitor, and I had many a battle with he and Mike. RIP John.”
Mike Rimmer: “Sorry to hear about John Price passing away…we had a great fun battle in ‘91. R.I.P. to one of rallying’s greatest enthusiasts and multi-car competitors.”
Nigel Evans: “I had the pleasure of co-driving for John on many occasions, including the 6R4 outing in Donegal. Amazing memories. John was always Mr Consistency, which is why he won so many Motoring News championships. His vehicle preparation was second to none and I know that Steve continues to carry that torch.”
Ednyfed Morgan: “Sorry to hear the sad news of John’s passing yesterday. A fast, safe and competitive driver, who always prepared excellent rally cars for himself and his customers. Condolences to all of his family.”
Jamie Edwards: “Saddened to hear that Tarmac rally legend John Price passed away yesterday after a long illness. As a youngster it was always a treat to watch him at full charge in a 6R4 on Epynt. His cars were always immaculate and sounded superb. RIP JP, thanks for the memories.”
Ian Donaldson: “Very sad day…a true gentleman and rally legend who will be greatly missed.”
Martyn Spurrell: “That’s very sad to hear, John was a great competitor in lots of machinery and will be missed.”
West Cork Rally organisers: “We are saddened this morning to hear of the passing of John Price. John was a regular competitor in West Cork for many years in his Renault 5 Turbos and his MG Metro 6R4s. John won the event in 1992 and 1993 on board in his Duckhams liveried Metro 6R4 and was involved in many more battles for victory only for them to escape him. Our condolences to Caroline, Stephen and all the family.”
Martin Leonard: “RIP John Price, affectionately known as JP by many. John won the Harry Flatters Rally six times altogether, three times with Mike Bowen, three times with Caroline his wife, and each time in a Metro 6R4. Before that he had campaigned his beautiful Renault 5 Turbos. A true character of rallying for many years, he was for many a true legend. I have a number of memories of JP and it was always good to see him out and about.”
Donegal International Rally organisers: “Very sad to her of the passing of John Price. John has competed in Donegal throughout the years, bringing exotic cars such as the Porsche 911, Renault 5 Turbo and the Metro 6R4. Deepest condolences to all his family. RIP John.”
Justin Mark Brooks: “A very tough day and struggling to find words to express my feelings at the loss of the boss, John Price. Many have already stated he was a legend of rallying and this is no understatement. A phenomenally competitive person both on the stages and in the workshop. I was lucky enough to have been schooled by John in the workshop and will always be in his debt for at least the million one-liners if nothing else. Steve and myself quite often would chuckle at some of his comments and one liners as we both tried to meet his standards for car preparation, ‘flat as piss on a plate’ comes to mind. He has left a legacy and hole in the rallying community that hopefully after the current situation passes we can join together and celebrate. He will be missed by all but none more than Caroline Price, Steph, Kevin, Kathy and the family… Will catch you in service upstairs boss, the corporal.”
Michael Chester: “He was a great character, and a mighty supporter of Irish rallying in the Renault 5 Turbo and later in the Metro 6R4. R.I.P.”
David Paveley: “Great driver, great man and inspiration.”
David Taunt: “Shocking news. King of Epynt… A rallying gent whom it was a pleasure to know for so many years. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends. R I P John. Memories will live on.”
Ian Carver: “Motorsport needs more characters like John…a great character and fierce competitor. R.I.P.”
Martin Walsh: “A great supporter of Irish events and in Cork and Kerry in particular where he was always popular and afforded great welcomes. A perfectionist in terms of car preparation. Finished second with him in the 1985 Sord Fastnet Rally on board the Renault 5 Turbo. May he Rest in Peace.”
Mal Herrick: “So sad to hear today that John Price has died after a long illness. A great driver, many times Champion and a well respected gentleman. He gave me a lot of help filming the Tarmac Championship in those early days for me which I thank him for. RIP JP, a true Champion to the finish. Condolences to Caroline Price and family.”
Rally Marketing: “We are very sad to hear of the passing of a true gent and very fast rally driver on all surfaces especially on Tarmac. And we remember handing him the 1st overall award on numerous occasions on the Mewla Rally, standing next to the Group B beast. RIP John Price.”
Richard Talbot: “RIP John Price . Great competitor and champion. Competed on an unbelievable amount of events in the most fabulous iconic cars.”
Jamie Forrest: “Had many of laughs with John and his team over on the Isle of Man, due to always staying in the same hotel. RIP JP, another gentleman of the great sport we have sadly lost.”
Anthony Clarke: “Rallied with John years ago. Usually about forty places behind him, but he still had time for a chat.”
Steve Pugh: “Saddened to hear today of the passing of ‘JP’ John Price, a true legend in rallying who campaigned with a lot of success, a variety of cars that weren’t ‘The Norm’, culminating in a number of Metro 6R4s which led him to, I think, 11 National Tarmac Championship titles. Sincere condolences to wife Caroline, son Steven and to his many friends. An oft-repeated phrase, but ‘Thanks for the Memories!’”
Derrick Davies: “I could fill a book with tales of my adventures co-driving with John over five seasons (1982-‘86). Meticulous preparation and ultra-reliable driving brought many great results, including the Motoring News Tarmac and Welsh Tarmac Championships in the same year. Also fourth overall and highest private entry on the Circuit of Ireland. That was 72 stages over five days! Other highlights were sixth overall on the Manx International and the same result on the European Championship Barum Rally in Czechoslovakia. We did every international rally in the UK and Ireland. Also events in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. I think the best story I can relate here was in Czechoslovakia in 1985. After a “session” at a local tavern, we headed back to the hotel, John drive the service van. Suddenly we spot two policemen waving a lollipop sign at us. Having had a few drinks, we “accidentally” rolled a few yards past the police. John dived in the back a shoved his son, Stephen, as the only sober one, into the drivers seat. The police looked in the window to see a 14-year old at the wheel, who we all assured the cops that he was 18! The cops let us go, but Stephen couldn’t drive! So luckily we were on a slope. We let the handbrake off and rolled off out of sight!”
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