I have just learnt that one of our forum members, and longstanding Mini enthusiast, Thomas "Mike" McGee passed away recently as a result of injuries sustained whilst competing last month at the Kempsey Hill Climb in his Mini. From the few phone and email communications I had with him I found him to be a passionate and mature individual who enjoyed collecting, restoring and racing the car we all love.

Mike's profile says he was a farmer at Elsmore, NSW.

The thoughts of the forum are with his family and friends at this time.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

I meet Mike a few times...sadly, he said he was probably the first person in Oz to crash a Mini!! (an 850 at Warwick Farm into a tyre barrier)

At least he went doing what he loved...

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"Show me the Mini!"

Very sad indeed. Here is a small tribute to the man.

http://www.crossfirephotography.com/lost-minis/

Mike had been sick for a long while. Its tragic when anyone in the mini community is lost, especially a long timer. However, I can't help but think, perhaps this was a way he would have preferred to go out, at the wheel of a mini at full tilt.
Condolences to his family.
G.

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1970 Cooper S ex-Bathurst & ATCC
1964 Austin Cooper S ex-Group C race car
1967 Morris Cooper S ex-Group B
1962 Mini Speed sports sedan
1968-71 ex-Peter Manton Shell car

Yes very sad indeed. It was less than a week before his death we last spoke.

I would chat to Mike pretty often when ordering parts from us,
asking questions or just having a chat about how the Manton mini was going.


He was close to Peter Manton & others in the period and had some great tales to tell.

He had just come back out of hospital & was still enjoying getting into his white J car
( group N ) mini as often as he could.

RIP.

AB

Mike was all ready to join the Rylstone Classic with close friend and MGCC life member Trevor Bailey. Trevor called me with the news on the Monday after this happened and he was devastated. Mike had asked to use his racing number 111 instead of his entrant number 13 as he was a bit superstitious - and I thought nothing of it. Strange how things turn out. Sad.

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http://www.rylstoneclassic.com

This is truly sad news, even though I didn't know the man. Condolences to his family.

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Very sad to hear this. Mike was always good for a chat, a friendly and amicable chap. RIP.

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Steve

I just read this thread.. Very sad to hear of his passing. I brought one of his cars. I remember my wife and I made the trip up to his place and both he and his wife made us so welcome.. The showed us around the farm and his mini collection (which was quite extensive). He was very proud of his woody.

They told use a very funny story about their gay cat that they had to adopt from a very religious family. That had us all in stitches!

By the time we left we felt part of the family.. A really wonderful man, long remembered.
All the best to his family.

Very sad news to lose another Mini Racer.

I had the privilege of showing Mike the way around Winton Raceway at this Historics way way back.

I remember him being very down to earth and great company.

Do I remember correctly that he may have run at Bathurst one year in the 60s?

HRS

Very Sad news,
I have known Mike for a very long time, and always found him a Man of his word, and a very knowledge Man to talk to.
I for one will Miss Him, and would like to offer my sincere sympathies to his Wife and family.
May You Rest In Peace My friend

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" A Hundred Years From Now It will not Matter what my Bank Acount Was,
The Sort Of House I Lived in, Or The Kind Of Car I drove ... But The World May Be A Better Place
Because I was Once Important In The Life Of A Child"

I don't post much, but for Mike I make an exception, a really great bloke who I have been meaning to ring for another chat.....

Very sad, a real loss to our community......

Rest in peace......

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Sir Alec! we are not worthy!

Mike is mentioned here:

http://bathurstlightcarclub.com.au/wp-c ... Blower.pdf

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"Show me the Mini!"

ah bugga, Mikes been a long term customer/friend of ours also,,, & we have had enormous chats on the phone over the years,
i`ve been wanting to visit again for ages but havn`t managed my time well enough
RIP ol fella,,, say hello to my dad while you`re up there xoxoxo

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.