VALE Leo Geoghegan

PostPost by: Rozzer » Mon Mar 02, 2015 3:42 am

I am sad to report the passing of Leo Geoghegan, Lotus importer and driver and champion of historic racing.

From Speedcafe.com:

Leo Geoghegan, one of the heroes of Australian motor racing during its renaissance era has lost his battle with prostate cancer.

Geoghegan, 78, succumbed to the illness in the Sydney suburb of Leichhardt after his health took a turn for the worse recently.

After starting his career in 1956 in a 48-215 Holden, he drove production cars and Group C tourers in the pioneering years of the Bathurst endurance race as well as spells with the Works Ford, Chrysler and Holden outfits.

The older brother of the late Ian ?Pete? Geoghegan (who once held a record-equalling five Australian Touring Car Championships), Geoghegan won a string of titles during his career.

While capturing the Australian GT Championship in 1960, Geoghegan enjoyed considerable success in open-wheel where he was the Australian Drivers Champion in 1970 and the national Formula 2 champ in 1972 and 1973.

In 1963 he was the Australian Formula Junior champion and claimed second in the Gallaher 500 at Bathurst in 1967 alongside brother Ian.

He was to have attended a 50th anniversary meeting at Wakefield Park last month which was to signify the first year of Formula Vee (originally powered by Volkswagen 1200cc engines) in Australia before his illness took hold.

His major international success came in 1969 when driving a Lotus 39-Repco V8 once campaigned by Jim Clark, he won the inaugural JAF Grand Prix at Fuji.

The son of New South Wales car dealer and racer Tom Geoghegan, Leo was a formidable competitor in the popular Tasman Series.

Geoghegan brushed wheels against the likes of superstar domestic and international open-wheel drivers such as Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Piers Courage, Chris Amon, Jack Brabham, Jim Clark, Glyn Scott, Kevin Bartlett, Max Stewart, Graeme Lawrence and Alf Costanzo.

He is survived by his widow Del, sister Marie-Lousie, two sons, Steven and Shaun and two daughters, Roslyn and Naomi.

His funeral is to be held on Monday 9th March

The Church is Hoxton Park Anglican at 1 Latrobe St Hoxton Park

The Service time is 11am and will be held in its entirety at the Church. Rev David Clarke will lead the Service assisted by Rev Gary Coleman.
Last edited by Rozzer on Wed Mar 04, 2015 11:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ashton
1954 Healey 100 (Gidget)
1958 Series 2 Land Rover
1962 Lotus Elite S2 #1591
1964 Lotus Elan S1.5 26/4177
1998 Lotus Elise S1
2003 Mini Cooper S R53
2013 BMW 118d Conv
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PostPost by: SJ Lambert » Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:05 am

91.3.JPG and


Top step Mt Fuji.
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PostPost by: Rozzer » Tue Mar 03, 2015 3:16 am

If anyone is planning on attending Leo's funeral and is willing to bring their Lotus along, the family has asked for a "guard of honour" of cars significant to him. Please could you let me know so I can keep the family updated and also co-ordinate things with the Funeral Director.

Many thanks

Ashton
Ashton
1954 Healey 100 (Gidget)
1958 Series 2 Land Rover
1962 Lotus Elite S2 #1591
1964 Lotus Elan S1.5 26/4177
1998 Lotus Elise S1
2003 Mini Cooper S R53
2013 BMW 118d Conv
If you aren't living on the edge, you're taking up too much space
Rozzer
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 97
Joined: 14 Oct 2013

PostPost by: SJ Lambert » Tue Mar 03, 2015 11:22 am

086.2.JPG and


I reckon he was pretty happy with the 39 on this weekend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elrUxONKCNw
Ford Escort Mk1 Lotus Twin Cam
Elfin Monocoque (Twin Cam)
Elfin Type 300 (Holbay S65 - 120E) mechanic

[email protected]
User avatar
SJ Lambert
Fourth Gear
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Posts: 738
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