Vale Bryan Thompson

Recently we lost a Dear Friend of the Club and one of our great Australian Racing Driver’s in Bryan Thompson. Bryan died on 12^th February less than a month after his 90^th birthday.

Bryan or Thommo, which ever you prefer was one of the more endearing Characters of our Sport and a good friend to many PIARC members over the more 5 decades he raced and spectated at the Island.

Bryan raced everywhere in Australia and New Zealand also lived and raced throughout England in 1967 in the Ex Beechey-Mustang.

His fertile mind combined with Peter Fowler and others to create such cars as the Elfin Mallala Supercharged Sports Car, the Torana Chev, the VW Type 3 Chev Sports Sedan, the Mercedes Quad Cam Chev etc.

In 1972 Bryan forever wrote himself into PIARC’s history winning the Inaugural 50K Plate for Sports Sedans in a Torana Chev V8. An event that still today ranks as the premier Sports Sedan Race in the country.

Ever the enthusiast, Bryan began racing in the late 1950s with an Austin Hearley followed by a Cooper Climax, Molina Monza, and then came the start of the Elfin / Garry Cooper fascination with a supercharged Elfin Mallala, and eventually an MR8 F5000. After retirement Thommo threw down some dollars and ordered one of the MS8 Eflin Streamliner Sports cars for sunny weather drives. We must also not forget his collection of motor bikes including Ducati etc.

Bryan was also a Truck and Car Dealer and a Shepparton Legend in business and motorsport and has left a lasting impression on the city with his contributions to the MOVE Museum’s establishment and a lasting tribute through his involvement and the extensive World Class Craft, Clothing and Textile Collection Exhibits made by his wife Loel.

We acknowledge the contribution made to Shepparton and motorsport by the Bryan and Loel Thompson.

Geoff Bull