P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Obituary: Formula Ford Festival and British F3 winner Gerrit van Kouwen dies aged 60
“Despite his early success in FF1600 and F3, Gerrit van Kouwen’s progress came to a halt. His humble background, unwavering enthusiasm, strong work ethic, eagerness to learn, and loyalty made him beloved by everyone he met. At the age of 15, he was banned for autocrossing a VW Beetle, but that didn’t stop him from excelling in motorsport. He won championships in the Netherlands and Benelux in a Van Diemen car and impressed with a Lola T642E loaned to him by Mike Blanchet. In 1984, he defended his European title in a Lola T644E, winning six championship rounds in Britain. Although he faced challenges in British F3 and touring car racing, his passion for the Formula Ford Festival never waned. Van Kouwen’s contributions to the sport extended beyond his racing career, as he became a brand ambassador for David Minister’s engine business and aided aspiring racers. Gerrit van Kouwen will always be remembered for his triumphs and dedication to motorsport.”