Rally NZ star Malcolm Stewart passes away

New Zealand motorsport identity Malcolm Stewart passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning.

Suffering from the degenerative motor neurone disease, Hawke's Bay resident Stewart was a successful and active competitor in rally events. He is recorded as the most prolific competitor of Rally New Zealand, having contested it 29 times in the 39 years it has been run. His first event was in 1972, aged 26.

"It is with much sadness we record Malcolm's passing," said Rally New Zealand chairman Chris Carr.

"Malcolm contested the annual event more times than any other driver with a best result of first Kiwi home and fifth overall in 1985 driving the Group B Audi Quattro. He also won the national rally championship title in 1983 driving a Ford Escort BDA.

"Malcolm will be fondly remembered; his cheery smile and attitude is the lasting impression we will always have of him.

"We express our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to Malcolm's wife Sue and their family."

Competitive even in latter days, Stewart won the 2003 Rally of Nelson before finishing second Kiwi in the 2004 Rally New Zealand event. When aged 62, Stewart was to have started the 2008 Rally New Zealand and celebrated his 30th start, but had to withdraw his entry pending confirmation of the debilitating motor neurone disease.

A service will be held at 2pm on Saturday 25 July at the War Memorial Hall, Marine Parade, Napier.

Crash.net joins the entire rallying community in extending our sympathies to Malcolm's family and friends.