TRIBUTE TO ROGER GORRINGE
It is with the utmost sadness that the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame has been informed of the death of Roger Gorringe. The distinguished drag racing photojournalist was inducted into Hall of Fame Membership only last November.
For half a century, Roger had compiled an unparalleled photographic record of British and European drag racing and its competitive history, principally at Santa Pod Raceway but including numerous events on the European continent, together with material gleaned from frequent trips to the USA. Vitally, he catalogued and annotated the collection in detail, the value of which was evident from the carousel of photographs screened during last year’s Hall of Fame Gala Dinner to accompany his induction, all of them enhanced by precise captions identifying on-track action captured often decades ago.
Roger’s trackside photographic career began in 1972, following a spectator visit to Santa Pod four years earlier. He edited and published Drag Racing News from 1978 and subsequently freelanced for numerous other publications at home and abroad. From 1999, he edited Santa Pod’s principal event programmes, continuing for more than 20 years.
In 2018 the Hall of Fame’s special Lucas Oil Media Award – received with fellow
photojournalist Andy Willsheer to recognise their joint 50-year service on the sport’s behalf – was the latest of several drag racing awards and accolades to come Roger’s way. Away from the dragstrip, Roger shared an enthusiasm for birdwatching and wildlife photography with some of his trackside associates.
Last summer a detailed profile was posted on the Hall of Fame’s website to mark Roger’s induction into Membership and can be found here:
https://britishdragracinghof.co.uk/roger-gorringe/
With poignant irony, that profile now serves as a valedictory appreciation of Roger’s life and times in the world of drag racing.
I have attached a few photos of Roger from the BDRHoF Archive.
Jerry Cookson
British Drag Racing Hall of Fame
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