We are sorry to hear of the passing of Norman Williams last Wednesday morning.
Norman had been involved in the organisation of hillclimbs since he joined the DUMC&LCC in college in the 1950s.
During the motorsport insurance crisis which stopped all closed road events in the 1980s Norman was instrumental in reviving hillclimbing by banding together competitors to guarantee entries, introducing new sponsors such as Dunlop and Frank Keane and working to improve safety standards and thus limit the increase in costs. Without his work encouraging,cajoling and supporting organisers, clubs and competitors it is unlikely that hillclimbing as we now know it in the South would have survived.
As a competitor, Norman made his first appearances at Cruagh in roadgoing Saab Turbo’s and Ford Escorts in the more relaxed days of the late 70s before entering Production Saloon Capri’s and Golf GTi’s which he also raced successfully in Mondello. Post insurance crisis he partnered the late Cyril Lynch in a Delta T80 FF2000. The photo shows Norman in one of his last appearances in an MG TC in Bagenalstown in the late 90’s.
Forced to retire from competition through illness, Norman continued to serve on RIAC Committees and enjoyed supervising the restoration of the 1933 MG Magna which he had owned for more than 60 years.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Norman will be at home from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday (March 6). You are welcome to join the family. Funeral Service on Friday (March 7) at 12 noon in St Patrick’s Church, Powerscourt, Enniskerry. Private cremation will take place the following day. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, to Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, Carmichael House, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, 1800 359359, Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Temple Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin, 01 2073800 or to Irish Cancer Society Night Nurses, 43/45 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4, 1850 606060.
Condolences may be sent to Norman’s daughter and devoted carer, Judy.
Thank you to Brendan Mc Coy for sending us the details.