RIP John Large

[PVDA]

I was shocked to receive an SMS very late last night informing me of the passing of John Large yesterday. I'll leave it to the CAMS press release but my sincere condolances to John's family and all at CAMS and motorsport in general as we've lost a tireless worker for Australian Motorsport. A prouder man you would never see at the F1GP as he was able to show how good we are to the FIA visitors.

http://www.cams.com.au/content.asp?P...e&ObjectID=709

Death of CAMS' President of Honour and FIA Delegate
CAMS Media Release
25 Apr 2006

The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport regrets to announce the passing of CAMS' President of Honour and FIA Delegate, Mr John Large, who died in Sydney today at 1:00 pm. JML, as he was universally known, gave a life time of inspired leadership to CAMS, to Australian motor sport and indeed to motor sport throughout the world.

"John Large was a significant leader in the history of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport and made an enormous contribution to the governance of motor sport in Australia," said CAMS President, Colin Osborne.

"He probably did more for the standing of Australian motor sport administration on the world stage than any other person and worked tirelessly to promote the interests of Australian motor sport internationally.

"It is a tribute that he was recognised at the most senior levels of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) for his roles as FIA Vice President, member of the FIA Senate and long-standing member of the World Motor Sport Council, amongst a myriad of other positions held.

"The high level of esteem with which he was held within the FIA led to him being offered the position as the first permanent Steward of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2006 and it was only his ill-health that prevented him from taking up this very special honour."

Large began his motor sport involvement as a co-driver in rallies and subsequently went on to become Australian Rally Champion Co-driver in 1975, but it was as an administrator that he has made his greatest motor sport contribution.

In 1971, he was elected to represent Western Australia on the National Council of CAMS and in 1983 he was elected President, a position he held until 1994. It was during this time that he played a major role in securing FIA World Championship events for Australia.

Fittingly, John Large was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2004 for his outstanding service to Australian motor sport in a voluntary capacity over 35 years. But for those who had the good fortune to work with and beside him, no formal awards could be adequate to describe his contribution to motor sport. Large remained an advisor to the Board of CAMS up until the time of his death.

The CAMS community offers its sincere condolences to his family and many friends.

MEDIA NOTE:
CAMS President, Colin Osborne, will be available for further comment on the passing of John Large. For further information, please see contact details below.

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For further information please contact:

Chris Terpos, Communications Coordinator, CAMS
Ph: (03) 9593 7768 Mob: 0419 305 556

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY - NO REGULATORY VALUE