Motorcycle sport is mourning the loss of one its most respected administrators - Jim Parker who passed away on the afternoon of Monday 29th July, aged 74, after a lengthy illness.
He was the gentle giant of the racing world, renowned for his no-nonsense, straight talking decision making and his own unique style of diplomacy that usually resolved all issues.
Jim Parker, was the Managing Director of ACU Events Limited, the commercial wing of the sport's governing body the ACU and a long serving Chairman and member of the influential ACU Road Race Committee between 1991 and 2011. On the International stage he was member of the FIM Road Racing Commission becoming its Vice President in 2010.
His love of racing began as a competitor with the Racing 50 Club, but soon he was embroiled in the organisation of the sport, working to develop the Clubmans Racing and New Era clubs into the biggest in the country, running some 40 meetings a year. And in the mid 1990s, working with his close friend the late Robert Fearnall, Mr Parker played a key role in the development and promotion of British Championship racing.
He helped to form the British Supercup series and then became a director of the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board in 2000.
Mr Parker was ever present on the racing scene, taking a keen interest in its affairs with his roles of Clerk of the Course, Race Director or Head of Organisation at British Grands Prix, World Superbike and club events alike.
ACU Chairman, Brian Higgins said "Many people realised that Jim has not been a well man for quite a long time, but this does not detract from the loss to his family and the ACU from his passing away. His work for the ACU, especially in the Isle of Man, certainly paved the way for me to attempt to continue the good work which he created".
MCRCB Chairman Jonathan Palmer paid the following tribute: "Jim Parker was an all-round contributor to motorcycle sport, playing a key role in its development and growth using the wealth of knowledge and experience he had built up through a lifetime of involvement. He will be sadly missed."
Details of the funeral arrangements are now below
Jim's funeral will take place at 12 Noon, Tuesday 13th August at West Herts Crematorium, details as below. This is adjacent to Junction 6 on the M1 (one junction below the M25).
Donations to either the ACU Benevolent Fund or Lister Hospital Dialysis Unit, Stevenage rather than flowers please.
West Herts Crematorium,
High Elms Lane,
Garston,
Watford,
Hertfordshire.
WD25 0JS
http://www.westhertscrem.org/indexnew.asp