Vice President Don Fairbairn Passes
Southern 100 Racing is saddened to learn of the passing of the first Vice President of the Club, Don Fairbairn who passed on Saturday 18th May 2024 aged 94-years.
Don has been involved with the Southern 100, the Pre-TT Classic and the Post TT Races for forty-one years, as organiser and Vice President.
He joined the Committee in 1984, taking on the role of Catering Officer, a position he held up to and including 1995, when he became Deputy Clerk of Works during 1996 and 1997, when he moved up to Clerk of Works for eleven years between 1998 and 2008. The following three years he spent as Deputy CoW, as he mentored his replacement into the role, ensuring his knowledge of setting up the course and associated works were in place to ensure the safety of all involved with the friendly races.
Don was also involved for many years as a Paddock Controller during the Practices and Races, ensuring that competitors were in the correct classes for practice and that they had the correct ‘Grid Label’ attached when they went out to their race. He continued in this role until the completion of the 2022 races. He was presented with a long service certificate in recognition of his contribution to the races by club president Phil Taubman MBE.
Don’s enthusiasm from the beginning was evident and remained so for over the forty plus years he was involved, helping make the Southern 100 Road Races one of the most popular and ‘must do’ events of the year, gaining a fine reputation and becoming known as ‘the friendly races’, with Don being no small part. Thank you, Don, you will be sorely missed, but long remembered by all who follow in your steps.
Southern 100 Racing convey their sincere condolences to his wife Barbara, family, and friends at this sad time.
(Photo courtesy of Southern 100 Archive shows Don Fairbairn being presented with his long service certificate by Phil Taubman MBE.)
