Steve Pattinson (29 Jul 1947 - 8 Aug 2026)

Steve was born in Kendal in 1947 and spent the first 9 years of his life in Windermere. They relocated to Kent and he went to Sutton Valence school, where he excelled in athletics. He won the school’s 5-mile cross country race and broke its record for one mile which stood for many years. In 1964 and 1965, he completed a 50-mile walking race from Margate to Maidstone, via Canterbury and Ashford.

Motoring was his great passion however. His first car was a red 1935 Morris 8 Tourer, purchased in 1965. He raced regularly at Lyddon Hill, Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Snetterton, first in his 1000cc special saloon, then upgrading to a 1300cc Mini and then moving into road saloons, racing his VW Golf GTI and VW Scirocco and finally his VW Jetta. He also participated in hill climbs and sprints. He won races across three decades, in different cars, and in multiple classes and categories. Sevenoaks and District Motor Club, which he joined in 1971, ran an annual speed championship. He won it nine times between 1973 and 1992. There are 326 racing trophies in the garage.

After he stopped working, he devoted some of his time to voluntary work. He particularly enjoyed his time with Riding for the Disabled and he also drove a minibus, taking children with learning disabilities to and from school. And he did some commentating and stewarding at races.

He leaves behind his devoted wife Val, his children Jason and Juliette and his grandsons Will and Nick.