Mayor mourns passing of trailblazing motorsport supporter Bob Wilton

Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell has hailed the achievements of Bob Wilton, founder of Masterton Motorplex Club, who died on Tuesday.

“Bob was at the helm of the club for almost three decades, taking it from the days of drag racing events on Dixon Street to masterminding fundraising and construction of what is an internationally acclaimed venue near Hood Aerodrome. Thousands turned out for the official opening in 2014 of what was the country’s first-ever purpose-built drag racing track.

“Bob was the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Wairarapa Times-Age Sports Awards in 2017 – and he certainly didn’t stop there.

“Motorplex events regularly attract fans and racers from around the country and are one of the District's biggest crowd-pullers, and a huge boon for the local economy.

"Bob will be greatly missed. I offer my sincere condolences to his wife Georgie, the family, and friends.””

ENDS