I thought all SMMC members should be aware that our Club President Andrew Cowan passed away earlier this week.

Many rally aficionado's were already well aware of Andrew's driving talents in the early 1960's but this fast and well respected rally driver became known in many households around the world when driving a Hillman Hunter he won The Daily Express London to Sydney Marathon in 1968, an event which was reported globally - an unusual thing for our sport in those days.

From his early days Andrew realised the importance of marshalling in the sport and in 1973 he accepted the invitation to become the newly formed SMMC's first President, a role he held until his death.

As Team Principal of Mitsubishi Ralliart, a role he took on after retiring from driving, he helped the Club in many ways not least by ensuring a suitable [Mitsubishi] vehicle became available when we were looking to put Rescue 3 in to operation - and he remained interested and involved in the Club for the rest of his life.

I'm sure all Club Members will join me in remembering this fine man - and our thoughts go out at this sad time to the family and friends he leaves behind.

This photo, provided by Andrew Main, is of Andrew Cowan, along with regular co-driver Ian Grindrod appearing on the 2008 Colin McRae Forest Stages in a Hillman Imp - which apparently Andrew Cowan had found in New Zealand.