The rallying community is mourning the loss of Steve Ashton, the former deputy chairman of the Australian Rally Commission.

Also a former chairman of Rallycorp and a former rally driver in his own right, Ashton died after succumbing to a 15-month long battle with illness.

His interest in rallying started 40 years ago whilst studying at university.

With Rosemary Nixon (later to become his wife) as co-driver, Ashton competed at club, state, national and international level.

He also turned his considerable skill as a driver into campaigns in the Australian Safari, London to Sydney marathon, Rally Australia and Round Australia events.

However his involvement in the sport was not limited to driving.

Steve joined the CAMS National Rally Panel (as it was known then) in 1990.

The panel then became the Australian Rally Commission and in July 1995 Steve was appointed deputy chairman, a position he held until December 2006.

He founded Rallycorp (which served as the commercial arm of the Australian Rally Championship) in 1999 and was its chairman until the end of 2009.

From 2001 until 2007 Steve served in the role of FIA Observer at numerous events in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship.

For his great contribution to motor sport, Steve Ashton was awarded Life Membership of CAMS in March this year.

Steve was also one of the three founding partners in the well-known and highly-awarded Melbourne architectural firm ARM, which designed amazing buildings like Storey Hall at RMIT, the National Museum of Australia (in Canberra), Perth Arena, Hamer Hall and Melbourne Recital Centre and MTC Theatre.

CAMS and Speedcafe.com expresses its condolences to Rosemary and their two daughters Kate and Louisa, and all of Steve’s family and friends.