'One of the most talented drivers to ever compete': Tributes paid to motorsport stalwart Robert Woodside Senior
Tributes have been paid to the “most helpful gentleman” after the death of motorsport stalwart Robert Woodside senior.
Mr Woodside passed away in hospital on Thursday (April 16) and a service for his life will be held in Templepatrick Presbyterian Church on Thursday, April 23 at 10.30am, followed by a private interment.
He rose to prominence in autotest circles and much of the silverware amassed by Mr Woodside over the years came in hillclimb and sprint competitions, where he secured several Northern Ireland titles.
He also captained the Northern Ireland autotest team to six victories in the Ken Wharton Trophy, competing against teams from England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
However, it wasn’t just sport that Mr Woodside was known for as he was the co-founder of Woodside Haulage Limited in Ballynure.
Leading the tributes were Larne Motor Club who posted the following on their Facebook account on Thursday: “Very sad news today with the passing of Robert Woodside Senior.
"Everyone within the club sends our deepest condolences to the entire Woodside family.
"Robert was a one of a kind.
"From the early Autotest days, Rallycross and right up to the Laharna Lanes Rally in recent years, he was always there supporting our wee club, enjoying what he did and entertaining us as he went.
"He will be greatly missed, an end of an era.”
Peter Scott posted a heartwarming tribute on his own Facebook page to Mr Woodside, who he claims he has known for a “very long time”.
He added: “The nicest, most helpful gentleman one could wish for.
"I called in to the Woodside offices in Ballynure two years ago to chat to him about the early years of Northern Ireland Navigation Rallying and last saw him at Ken Shields' 90th eighteen months ago and he was looking really well.
"We even chatted about doing the TDC Classic in his famous Beetle together.”
Autotest Drivers Club NI labelled Mr Woodside’s passing as “very sad news”.
A spokesperson for the group wrote on Facebook: “Robert was a true Legend in Motorsport, and one of the most talented drivers ever to compete.
"His successes in Autotesting, Rallying, Sprints and Hillclimbs are too many to list.
“He was a great friend of Autotest Drivers Club and Motorsport.
"He will be sadly missed.
"Autotest Drivers Club send our sincere sympathy and condolences to all the family.”
PeeSpeed Photography added on the same social media platform: “Saddened to hear of the passing of Robert Woodside Snr, a great competitor in a variety of cars over the years on Targa Rallies and Multivenues.”
As well as sending on their condolences to Mr Woodside’s family, Northern Ireland Hillclimb Championship Facebook page posted: “A fantastic driver to watch in action and multiple champion on the hills.”
A death notice reads: “Dearly loved husband of Maureen, much loved father of Mark, Simon, Tim and Suzanne, dear father-in-law of Sarah and Helen, loving grandfather of Ben, Holly, James, Rebecca and Christopher.
"Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by all the family circle.
"Unable are the loved to die for love is immortality.”