John Osborne

[Steve Holmes]

Oh man, so sad to hear this. Oz was my second ever motorsport hero. My first was Leo Leonard in the PDL Mustang II when I saw him racing at Manfeild in 1979, when I was 8 years old. John Osborne became my second motorsport hero in 1981, again at Manfeild when I saw him hustling that mighty metallic blue Chevy Camaro. Up against of sea of faster V8 powered Capri's including those of Wayne Huxford and Inky Tulloch, Osborne was epic. He drove the wheels off that car, and it took my breath away.

The Camaro was rough around the edges, Osborne was happy to use the bumper, and that car had so much character, and Osborne was a warrior.

Ozzy would eventually join the Capri ranks, and he was just as spectacular in those cars, but my greatest memories of him were in that tough old Camaro.

It was more than two decades later before I got to see the Camaro again, by now owned by Tony Boyden. I wrote a story on the car for NZ Classic Car mag, and I got to interview John Osborne, and he was just as rugged and direct as I was expecting.

We don't have heroes like this anymore; drivers of true grit with larger than life personalities, and massive characters that shine through. This is a sad loss.

RIP Ozzy, and thanks for the memories.

[Nick Slade]

My early childhood memories are bought back to me today, thinking of going to the track with my dad and Watching John and My Dad and Trevor Crowe and many other locals race. I still remember him up at the fence to our Garage area at surfers paradise race when I was working for one of the Indy car teams and the big smile he had on his face and how thrilled he was for me. I kept in contact with him in recent years through emails and a few visits in Australia and N.Z. I am very saddened by the news. John was a legend, a great Guy and a true racer, he will be missed by all of us that knew him

[SPman]

Oh hell, that was quick. Sad news. Rest well old warrior and thanks for all the memories. Condolences to family and friends.....

[Rod Grimwood]

John’s funeral service will be held at 2.00pm December 31 Thursday at the Wairakei Road Lamb and Heywood Chapel, airport end.

[Steve Holmes]

Thankfully, several of Johns old race cars still exist, including the RX7, despite its famous Pukekohe accident:

[Grant Ellwood]

I think a photographer was injured in that incident too, looks like someone being attended to in the foreground between the fence and John's car. Hell of a crash, that corner has seen some memorable wrecks!

[Jac Mac]

Always wondered what happened to the Escort, pretty sure he traded it on the Camaro when he bought it off Lawrie Bruce, then it went to Agnew.

List of cars as I remember was Mini, Escort, Camaro, Ex Halliday Capri V8, Ex Fahey Capri V8, Mazda RX7 V8, and of late the 300zx in SFOS & Club/classic events, probably more..

[markec]

A service for Ozzo was held in Christchurch on the 31st December at 2.00pm. A large gathering of many of his old freinds and asociate"s
were present in large numbers including some from the north Isalnd along with Finn ( Alan Finlayson ) who came over from Aussie.As John was originally from Dunedin, most of his family from there were present, 2 nephews were pall bearers along with son Tim,Denis Chapman, Scott O'Donnell and a cousin.Speakers were, Denis Chapman, Keith Cowan, Neice, Jessica and a personel account of having grown up with his father from Tim Osborne, Johns son.
A very special service for a very special person.
I spoke with Debbie Chapman, who along with Denis and Scott O'Donnell from the H W Richardson Group from Invercargill with others, are Trustee's of "ProactiveDrive", Debbie said they would be looking for a suitable candidate to carry on John's Dream.

[markec]

Jacmac, the Escort shell is in safe hands in Ch Ch,it sits along side the Ron McPhail one.

[markec]

Many of you wont realise that the RX7 was a USA sourced car, acquired by Bob Slade who packaged it up and sent it over from California. John built the car up from scratch as it was ex road car body shell when he received it. It was always left steer, at the time there were very few on NZ's roads.

[markec]

The 300z was originally used as a Targa car, it did 2 Targa's before being semi retired to Classic racing. Devopement was still being done through to 2015.

[markec]

Leo Leonard was present at the service, you could have had many memories tpo share with him. He's still alive and well in Timaru, still gets the overalls on each day.

[markec]

[Greg Mackie]

What a wonderful photo...just pure, natural enthusiasm.

[Steve Holmes]

Many of you wont realise that the RX7 was a USA sourced car, acquired by Bob Slade who packaged it up and sent it over from California. John built the car up from scratch as it was ex road car body shell when he received it. It was always left steer, at the time there were very few on NZ's roads.

I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing. I always loved that car.

[markec]

Finn "Alan Findlayson" made it over from Aussie for the funeral service, its been about 15 years since I last saw him. Introduced him to Terry Marshall.