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Grandad John Boardman Rally Driver, aged 88.
ONE of East Lancashire most well-known rally drivers has died at the age of 88.
John ‘Johnny’ Boardman was famous for his exploits on events such as the Monte Carlo Rally, the Tulip Rally and the Liege-Rome-Liege events in the 1950s.
Born in Great Harwood in 1920, John taught himself to drive at the tender age of 11 in a wagon around the family farm.
After demonstrating his prowess behind the wheel, John started out in motorsport by competing in trials and hillclimbs, quickly progressing to rallying.
He contested the Monte Carlo Rally four times, starting in 1952 in a Jaguar, and the Tulip Rally eight times – winning his class, and silver awards, every time...
John ‘Johnny’ Boardman was famous for his exploits on events such as the Monte Carlo Rally, the Tulip Rally and the Liege-Rome-Liege events in the 1950s.
Born in Great Harwood in 1920, John taught himself to drive at the tender age of 11 in a wagon around the family farm.
After demonstrating his prowess behind the wheel, John started out in motorsport by competing in trials and hillclimbs, quickly progressing to rallying.
He contested the Monte Carlo Rally four times, starting in 1952 in a Jaguar, and the Tulip Rally eight times – winning his class, and silver awards, every time.
Although John wasn’t a ‘works’ driver, he enjoyed factory support from Jaguar, Ford and Borgward.
He competed in the Midnight Sun with a DKW, and was able to contest a variety of events with a Borgward Isabella TS and latterly Ford Zephyrs and a Jaguar 3.8 Mk2.
A life member of the International Rally Drivers Club, John is survived by his wife Miki, sons Simon, a rally driver himself, and Chris and four grandchildren.
We will all miss his great humour, we loved him dearly.