The Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship is extremely sad to learn of the passing of Brian Patterson.
Along with his wife Liz, Brian revolutionised the way people followed rallying with their famous rally bulletins.
Long before mobile ‘phones and the internet, Brian and Liz would collect stage times from co-drivers, calculate the top 10 positions and, with driver quotes and information, type, print and distribute reports from their car in unbelievably quick time.
When their car boot opened and the printer whirled into action, a crowd always gathered – eager to get the latest up-to-the-minute news, hot off the press.
It was sports reporting at its very best – truly ingenious, and all crafted with great knowledge and sincerity.
Brian and Liz also provided a ground breaking pace note service on behalf of rally organisers, reccing the stages and supplying route guidance notes and videos to crews. Patterson Pacenotes became an essential part of Irish and British rallying, and when Liz retired Brian continued the Patterson Pacenotes service with his son Michael.
And that’s the just the tip of the iceberg. In an extraordinary career, Brian advised, mentored and helped anyone who shared his passion for the sport.
One simply cannot underestimate the enormous contribution Brian made to rallying, and he will be very sadly missed.
We’d like to send our deepest sympathies and condolences to Liz, Michael, Chris, David, Jody and to the rest of his loving family and many friends.
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