RIP Geoff Bonham

[ERC]

Sadly, Geoff passed away last night. Many of you will not heard of Geoff, but when I took over what was the BMC Series, back in 1996, Geoff started competing with his dark green MGB GT, usually carrying #40.

Initially, we had a little sponsorship from the MGCC Wellington, but Geoff offered to sponsor the Series and many of you will know it through his company, Leisuretime Spa & Pool Covers, which naturally enough led to the naming rights and the Leisuretime Race Series.

Geoff continued to drive the venerable MGB GT and if he was overseas or occasionally, a driver was without a car, Geoff would hand over his car, so it was that it was also driven by Glen Thompson and even "Racing Ray" Williams.

Having dealt with several sponsors over the years, Geoff was far and away not only the most generous but also the only one who ever coughed up the agreed fee without being prompted.

At the time of his 4th daughter's marriage and having suffered a heart hiccup, Geoff decided to hang up his race helmet and also sell the MGB GT and the trailer. I bought both... I have since re-acquired the MG and I still have the trailer.

Geoff was an active member of the Takapuna Community Board and also a Rotarian and I was lucky enough to be invited to a couple of meetings, one of which was a visit to the Fernyhough private car collection; another at which I gave a talk about the classic race scene. I was also invited to the Aussie V8's at Pukekohe and to share a corporate box.

A lovely man and will be missed by Nora, his daughters and not forgetting best pal Murray Baber, who probably got Geoff into racing.

I was expecting to be able to take the MGB along to a funeral, but it is currently not road registered and is down at Hampton Downs and no longer carries the Leisuretime Sponsorship.


My one and only attempt at portrait painting, celebrating 10 years of his sponsorship of the series in 2007.

PS: Have had a request from Murray Baber to get the car up, next Wednesday, and I will, so will publish more details when available.