Bruce Johnstone, South Africa‘s legendary racing driver, passed away on Thursday, 3 March 2022, at the age of 85.
According to a statement released by Western Province Motor Club (WPMC) President Dr Greg Mills, Johnstone was among the last standing of the works BRM (British Racing Motors) drivers and one of F1‘s forgotten heroes.
“Although he stopped racing ‘to get a life and make a career’ in just his mid-20s, he left an indelible impression on the sport, winning the Kyalami 9 Hour in 1962 (with David Piper) in a Ferrari GTO (which Bruce later owned and used as family transport in Johannesburg), participated in one World Championship Grands Prix (the famous 1962 BRM/Lotus title decider in East London), finishing 9th, and several non-championship events including achieving a fourth in the 1962 Oulton Park Gold Cup for BRM.
“He was an early mover in the world of corporate sports sponsorships, before cementing his lifelong love of motorcycles, which he continued to ride (fast) up until a year before his death, by working for Charlie Young, South Africa’s Yamaha importers.
“A regular at Killarney historic meetings and a firm supporter of our little endurance racing efforts, he had a meticulous and detailed recall about his era of motorsport, always with a wry chuckle,” the statement read.
Cape {town} Etc would like to extend its condolences to the family of this racing legend.
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Picture: Supplied