WAYNE
WILDING
20th
Oct 1947 - 26th Dec 2004
Woodford Glen
supporters mourned the loss of one of its favourite sons at the
Boxing Day Remembrance Champs.
Stockcar Driver Wayne Wilding passed away during the meeting.
Fittingly enough Wilding had just completed an amazing race where
after almost going a lap down,
he drove as well as he ever has in his illustrious career to earn
an incredible 2nd place.
Wilding has raced every season of racing at Woodford Glen
Speedway.
His name has always been synonymous with Stockcar Racing, both
locally and nationally.
Wilding had a larger than life personality that saw him race hard
on the track and be greatly loved off it.
Wilding put a lot of time and effort back into the sport he
loved.
He was instrumental in the organisation of the 50 Years of
Stockcar racing earlier this season and was honoured
at Kaikoura Speedway with a life membership at Queens Birthday
weekend.
He was a source of motivation to numerous drivers throughout the
years and always had time to help with their development.
Wilding had just returned to racing this year after a lengthy lay
off as a result of a huge accident in Nelson last season.
His return saw him win the Queens Birthday Northern Zone meeting
at Kaikoura and take the honours
on the first night of the Stockcar Series at Woodford Glen.
Wayne Wilding will be sorely missed at Woodford Glen and our
thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fans.
Godspeed Wayne
.... Brendon Cowles
Waynes
funeral saw a massive turn out of approx 600 people and a drive
from the funeral home in
Sydenham to
the service in Woolston of approx 16 supporting Stockcars.
This spectacle
was very well planned and executed, leaving a lot of residents
standing outside their
homes bemused
at the thunder that had just driven by.
The funeral
itself caused many to shed a tear especially when Waynes voice
filled the room
with a
recorded song from his collection.
The day was a
very fitting tribute after the loss of a very popular and
respected club member and friend.
