A Tribute to Roger Manwaring
With great sadness, we learnt that Roger Manwaring, an integral part of our 12th community in the 1990s and 2000s, has died aged 72. Roger was a really good 12th scale driver, regularly making the top 20 in both Stock and Mod, and a friend to so many 12th drivers over the years with his wit, wisdom and support.
Roger was a world class slalom canoeist, representing Team GB at World and European level. In 1980, Roger finished an individual 11th in the European Cup series, and by 1983 was representing Team GB at the World Championships in Merano, Italy. He later worked with fellow competitor Jim Dolan giving coaching lessons to budding canoeists.
Whilst starting out in RC, Roger worked for a composites company during the early years of its adoption in many products and applications. Roger raced with David Spashettand they became firm friends. Roger’s composite knowledge came in handy from time to time, as the material made its way into all sorts of parts of a 12th car.
By the mid 2000s, Roger was working for Helger Racing as a sales rep. Through the years we raced together, we had chassis’ from Corally, CEFX and Trinity – all products distributed by Helger. Roger was a great companion on many a long trip around the country for the BRCA 12th Scale Nationals. Roger became a stalwart of the Chesterfield Auto Racing Society (CARS) where his track designs were the stuff of legend. Just when you thought he’d outdone himself, he would come up with another great track for a National.
At many nationals, he, Nigel Hale and Chris Clarke would pit together, and have the rest of the table in tears of laughter at more than one point in the weekend. On a long, torrid trip to a national in Mold, North Wales (Roger on maps, me behind the wheel) we had to try and detour a road closure. Roger wasn’t best pleased. After a pretty poor event, we packed the car, got in, and Roger said “As they say in Wales, let’s get the flock out of here!” It became a regular refrain.
Roger was kind, thoughtful and had a wicked sense of humour. He and his wife, Pat, travelled with me and Chris to a number of events, including European Championships, where we would often share a hire car, or travel in convoy. He was excellent company, and so friendly, thoughtful, and keen that everyone who ran our cars got help and support. Sometime around end of the 2000s, Roger gave it all up and went mountain biking with his friends and son, Ben. He came to a lot of the nationals at Chesterfield after that, and his track designs lived on for quite a few years!
Roger, far right
Roger was a great ambassador for Helger Racing, the 12thSection and RC in general. He was missed by us all when he retired, now he will be missed by his family and friends.
To Roger’s wife Pat, his son Ben and all their family and friends, we send our thoughts and deep condolences on the loss of a family man, a great guy, and of one of life’s characters.
Peter Winton
