Sadly December 2011 saw the loss of a rallying stalwart and a voice familiar to many via Rallitrak

Myra Huddlestone

May the routine signals come to meet you,

May the power supply be always backing up.

May the sun shine warm your aerials,

and the rains not fall soft upon your stages.

May green be the safety network,

Nay bored be the Rescue Teams around you.

May quiet be the HQ radio that hassles you,

and reliable be the links that support you.

And until we radio check again,

May the god of communication firmly support us.

RIP Myra

You'll be greatly missed, though never forgotten.

Hi Everyone,

It’s an honour to be able to share with you a couple of the more memorable moments we have experienced with Myra (there are numerous others).

Myra to me was a cross between a surrogate mother and a big sister – I never worked out which. It first started in Grizedale in the early 90’s, on the old Lombard RAC, when we provided numerous radio crews for Chris’ stage. It was a few years later before I met “He Himself” in Kershope in ’96.

Soon afterwards, they approached me and asked to join us on events around the UK. I never did know when to say No!!

The drink theme is a common denominator in most of our social gatherings (mainly in the woods the night before events). Dyfnant 2002 on the Welsh Rally springs to mind. I had just returned from Cyprus having smuggled back some good quality Metaxa brandy. When Myra found out she waxed lyrical about their previous trips to Rally Cyprus and how she loved Metaxa. Result – 2 hours later – half a litre down the neck – and Myra had lost the ability to speak – the only time this feat has been achieved to my knowledge. It was then time for bed and off she staggered back to their van. She disappeared through the side door, but several minutes later we were aware of the noise of a sliding door being repeatedly opened and closed. Confused and curious we went across and found Myra trying to close their van side door over and over again – unfortunately she had become so numb from Metaxa – she didn’t realise one of her legs was still hanging outside.

An example of Myra’s wicked sense of humour came to light when we travelled to Blidworth Bottoms forest near Mansfield. A slightly unfortunate choice of name as it transpired. We arrived in the dark the night before and found a large car park comprising numerous small bays near to the stage start. Marvellous we thought until upon entering, we found a solitary car or two, parked in each bay. Not a problem, plenty of room for everyone until we observed the odd occupant of said cars – obviously male – but some, in blonde wigs and colourful dresses!! Now, the normal thing responsible adults would do, would be to leave – but not us. A little radio chat later between us – egged on with Myra saying, as she regularly did, – “Just Do It”, we parked up at the side of the exit. We then climbed out wearing yellow jackets, with clipboards and handheld radios clipped to our lapels. The car park started to empty rather quickly, until one gentleman shot past at speed, changed his mind and reversed back extremely fast, to accuse us of recording his vehicle details and all sorts, (obviously had a secret he wanted to keep). We placated him eventually about the wind up, without actually starting a riot, but it was close!! By this time Myra and half the team had been reduced to hysterics.

Myra was a pivotal part of our club and our lives and is irreplaceable.

Rest in Peace dear.

SWIFT Radio Group