Remembering the fallen

[Everso Biggyballies]

Bottom post of the previous page:

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Yes, that's why I linked it in my original post

[erwin greven]

The father of Autodromo Internacional do Algarve (Portimão) passed away.

[Everso Biggyballies]

The father of Autodromo Internacional do Algarve (Portimão) passed away.

So young. I believe he died after what was termed a short illness. That illness was, I understand, a rapidly progressing and aggressive cancer.

It seems he was a great supporter and influence in the development of tourism to the region. A great loss and will be missed by many.

RIP Paulo Pinheiro


A nice obit from the Portugese news. A tribute also from Portugese MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira.

The founder and current chairman of the Board of Directors of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA), Paulo Pinheiro, died yesterday, a victim of illness, aged 52.

“It is with great regret and consternation that the AIA Administration announces the death of engineer Paulo Pinheiro, its founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors,” reads the statement.

A mechanical engineer by training and former driver, Paulo Pinheiro conceived and undertook the construction of the AIA, in Portimão, in 2008, being one of those responsible for the return of Formula 1 and MotoGP to Portugal.

The Algarve circuit has been part of the MotoGP World Championship calendar since 2020, with five races since then, and was also the stage for the return of Formula 1 in 2020 and 2021.

In addition to the AIA, he also created and managed the motorcycle and car racing team Parkalgar Racing Team.

“His remarkable human and professional qualities left their mark on all those who had the privilege of meeting and working with him. At this time of pain and consternation, the AIA Administration extends its condolences to all of Paulo Pinheiro’s family and friends,” said the statement from the circuit’s press office.


The Algarve Tourism Region highlighted the “hard blow” caused by the death of Paulo Pinheiro.

“The death of Paulo Pinheiro, administrator of Parkalgar, the management company of AIA, represents a severe blow for the entire region and for Tourism in particular, which sees the disappearance of the great promoter of a project responsible for bringing thousands of international fans of motorsport to the country”.

Algarve Tourism presented its “heartfelt condolences” to Paulo Pinheiro’s family, highlighting his importance in this sector.

“Paulo Pinheiro, with his tenacity and contagious joy, made a bold and far-sighted bet on an asset that achieved, in less than two decades of life, the role of ambassador for the region across borders. The loss of this unconditional motorsport fan who made his dream of building an international race track in his homeland, Portimão, a reality, constitutes a huge loss for everyone”, continues Turismo do Algarve.

According to an entity led by André Gomes, “Paulo Pinheiro's path represents the best of entrepreneurship, persistence and work capacity that make up the character of the people of the Algarve and distinguish the Portuguese”.

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/20 ... dies/90542


Portuguese MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira has praised Pinheiro, “Today a hero passed away for all of us. We, who love motorsport, cannot remain indifferent to Paulo's work. His dream came true and in it we were all able to dream and build memories that will last forever”, the Aprilia rider wrote. “A man like you never dies, you live through the work you leave and in our hearts forever and ever. I lost a friend but... how lucky I was to have crossed paths with you”, he continued in the message shared on his social networks, which he concluded by offering his condolences to Paulo Pinheiro's family

[erwin greven]

[DaleJuniorFan]

Scott Bloomquist, one of the most accomplished dirt late model drivers in history, died in a plane crash this morning at the age of 60.

https://www.floracing.com/articles/1278 ... lane-crash

[erwin greven]

[erwin greven]

[erwin greven]

[erwin greven]

[erwin greven]

Now lets remember someone who made sure that some of the drivers we love never got in this list because of a fatal accident.

[DaleJuniorFan]

Paul Goldsmith has died at age 98. In addition to his nine career wins, he was the last driver to win a Cup race on the original Daytona beach course, along with the only driver to win races on both the beach and superspeedway in a car and a motorcycle.

https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2024/ ... ies-at-98/

[erwin greven]

[Everso Biggyballies]

Vale – Peter Fitzgerald. February 1950 - September 2024,

Australian motorsport lost a champion with the passing of Peter ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald.

Born on February 19, 1950, Fitzgerald was synonymous with the Porsche brand over a long racing career in sports cars and production cars. He also had success with Toyota, Mitsubishi and Holden.

He first came to prominence in 1977 aboard an ex-Ian Geoghegan Porsche 911S which he raced in the Australian Sports Car Championship. He also competed in numerous Sports Sedan events, with several memorable races at Amaroo Park against Bob Stevens in his Holden Monaro.

He was prominent in Australian Porsche Cup in a Porsche 944 Turbo, and the Australian Production Car Championship, initially in a Mitsubishi Starion and later a Toyota Supra. He won the APPC with both in 1987 and 1989 and two Winton 300s in those turbo-powered cars in the same years.

When the rules for the APCC changed in 1990 to a six cylinder Ford versus Holden as the top class, he competed in a Holden Commodore VN where he was second in the title and also second in the Winton 300. He still raced Porsches and that same year, he won Porsche Cup.

He won the inaugural James Hardie 12 Hour in 1991, together with Allan Grice and Nigel Arkell in the Supra. That year he finished fourth in the Bathurst 1000, partnered with Formula 1 World Champion Denny Hulme in a BMW M3.

It wasn’t his first outing at the Great Race. He finished 21st in his 1982 debut when partnered with the late Geoff Leeds in a Chev Camaro. His last of eight appearances came with Greg Crick in 1997 where he shared a Commodore.

He also place third in the 2003 Bathurst 24 Hour where he teamed up with Paul Morris, Scott Shearman and John Teulan in a Porsche GT3 Cup Car. It came after a 15th in the 2002 event after the team had to use a replacement car following a crash in qualifying.

It is just a part of the story as he was also a Targa Tasmania winner, and his Fitzgerald Racing Services has been involved across the likes of GT-P and Nation Cup.

Peter Fitzgerald passed away at aged 74 from cancer. Condolences to his family and friends, as well as those teammates and competitors who respected his ability behind the wheel.

. https://speedcafe.com/vale-peter-fitzgerald/

A few extra pics of Peter's exploits that I have dug out. His iconic Aqua and Blue Porsche's were a sight every Aussie motorsports fan will remember


DENNY HULME / PETER FITZGERALD, BMW M3- 1991 Bathurst Tooheys 1000

On the Podium at that event. Peter (left) and Denny celebrate.








Peter Fitzgerald - Porsche 996 GT3 - Bathurst 13th October 2002




Brad Jones / Peter Fitzgerald, Mitsubishi Starion Turbo. Bathurst 1000, 1985.


Peter Fitzgerald (withJim Zerefos / Brett Peters), Holden VN Commodore SS - Bathurst 12 Hour 1992

Again below