John Fossey, who has been part of Island motorsport for 40 years poses alongside his AC Cobra replica. Picture by Rob Currie (00763872)

AN Islander who has been at the heart of Jersey motorsport for 40 years was the guest of honour at a special event on Saturday.

John Fossey was joined by friends, family and former race rivals at a beach race at Millbrook.

The event was organised by the beach racing community to honour his achievements in his long attachment to the sport.

A big banner reading ‘congratulations’ was held aloft by his fellow racers to welcome him at Millbrook. Next to it was a board with photographs of all the cars he had raced, including his very first Austin Healey, and his latest car, a MR2 Toyota.The board was decked in a mass of balloons.

‘I was completely overwhelmed by it. I don’t like to be the centre of attention, but I really appreciated the effort’, said John.

However, when the races got under way, John did not have it all his own way. With the recognisable number 6 on the bonnet, he won his first two races, his car began to overheat later in the afternoon and he came in third and second in the later two.

‘I don’t mind losing,’ he said. ‘It’s all about enjoying what you are doing. There is great camaraderie at the beach races and we all lend each other a hand.’

John first learnt his race craft in an Austin Healey which he bought from a friend. ‘When I could afford it I bought my first car for £20 and then stuck a £5 Jaguar engine inside,’ he said. ‘I loved racing this car on the beach. It lasted me all season until it finally caught fire. I couldn’t see the flames and I thought the marshals were waving at me’.

Since then, John has raced in everything from saloons to cars he has built from scratch and he has taken part in hill climbs and sprints.

John has a wealth of trophies and records at his Trinity home, but he said that his most proud moment was when he got the fastest time of the day in the sprints at Le Pulente in his powerful Harrier.

Having announced his retirement last year, John was not away from the sport for long. ‘I sold up all my cars when I retired, but when I saw the Toyota going cheap I just couldn’t resist’ he said smiling.

Petrol, it seems, runs through the Fossey veins. All members of the family have raced – including his wife Diana, who once took her Mini Cooper up Bouley Bay for the hill climb.

With a whole family of racers, John understands the dangers involved in motor sport. Although he joked that his crashes have left him a foot shorter he understands that safety is paramount. ‘The safety procedures are very good,’ he added. ‘Every car is equipped with the correct racing belts and the latest helmets.’

The next generation of Fossey racers looks secured with John’s grandson, Edward, showing great promise. Following his success in the cadet kart championship in 2007 and 2008, he won again on Sunday at Sorel in his first race in Minimax, the next class up.