THE motor racing community is mourning the death of respected motor racing administrator Ivan Stibbard.
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Local motorsport commentator Brian Nightingale said Mr Stibbard had been a key driving force for Australian motorsport and the iconic Bathurst 1000.
“I maintain that he has done more for this town and Mount Panorama than anyone else,” he said. “Ivan and the club were
instrumental to building the race up to what it is today.”
Mr Nightingale said he was saddened when he heard about the 76-year-old’s death on Monday.
“I was surprised. I knew he had been in hospital for a fair while, but he was the sort of bloke you thought would be around forever.”
He said Mr Stibbard, who lived on the Gold Coast, had suffered a long battle with illness after he
contracted a lung infection on a trip to Singapore last year.
Mr Nightingale said Mr Stibbard would be truly missed and was highly respected in the industry.
Following a 16-year stint with James Hardie, Mr Stibbard started with the Australian Racing Drivers Club as the race’s assistant secretary in 1968 and worked under Jack Hinxman.
Mr Stibbard eventually progressed to becoming general manager of The Great Race from 1981 through to 1997.
Mr Nightingale said Mr Stibbard had made significant input to the Bathurst 1000 over the years.
“When the race was changed from 500 miles, it was his idea that we make it 1000 kilometres,” he said.
Mr Nightingale said Mr Stibbard believed they could not have a race called the Bathurst 804km, and said it should be made 1000km.
He said Mr Stibbard played an important role in first attracting international drivers.
“He started to get international teams coming to Bathurst. He would go overseas and get drivers to come out here,” he said.
Mr Nightingale said Mr Stibbard was a hard worker who always did his own groundwork.
“He was a real gentleman, a very hard-working man when it came to his job and he was so skilful,” he said.
“And his wife Leonie, she was always there with him, helping out and working very hard.”
Mr Nightingale said he would like to see one of the streets behind the pit complex on Mount Panorama named after Mr Stibbard.
“I’ll be pushing for an Ivan Stibbard Lane, Drive or Street. He deserves it,” he said.