Jeff May
JEFF MAY 1929 - 2003
Jeff was an incredibly well known figure throughout the motorsporting world, running the BRSCC’s Porsche Racing Drivers Association ‘On Track Experience’ Porsche 924 Championship, as well as regularly working with the Formula One teams as a steward.
Born on 8th December 1929, little is known of Jeff’s early years. His father was a Midlands GP, although soon after leaving education himself, Jeff joined the Parachute Regiment rather than follow in his father’s footsteps. Again, details of his service and the length of time he spent in the forces are sketchy, but once out of the military Jeff set about making his fortune from the building and refurbishment of hotels – with some considerable success.
A keen motoring fan from an early age, Jeff began rallying, and in the 50s he competed as a works driver for TR, and raced throughout Europe in a Standard 10 and then a TR3. It was whilst campaigning the TR3 on the Alpine Rally that Jeff’s passion for Porsches began. Overtaken by a 356 Porsche, Jeff turned to his co-driver and declared: “I must have one of them!”
Once in possession of a 356, Jeff switched his attentions from rallying to circuit racing, only to destroy the car in a roll at Devils Elbow at Mallory Park. He subsequently renamed his house ‘Devils Elbow’ in recognition of the incident! With the car wrecked, and no provision for things Porsche in the UK, Jeff transported the car across to Stuttgart for repairs, and it was on the back of this in 1962 that Messers Jenks (Denis Jenkinson), Goodman, Sheffield and May started the Porsche Club GB.
The split from the Porsche Club GB is well documented, but perhaps what is not so well known was Jeff’s love of the countryside. He lived in a wonderful cottage set in the grounds of Studley Castle, and loved gardening, flowers and birds, and particularly owls. Jeff was a fantastic cook, and a very thoughtful and generous man.
Jeff May was the man that selected a certain Nigel Mansell for the British Junior Kart Team; was the man that commandeered Ford’s light aircraft, and had his mechanics take out the seats, so that Peter Proctor could be flown to hospital for urgent treatment to terrible burns; was the man that played such a major part in the success of Broadspeed with Minis and Anglias between 1961 and 1968. Jeff May did not suffer fools gladly, but if you were genuine and honest with him, you found yourself a true friend. Jeff was politically incorrect, but in these days of political correctness gone mad, how refreshing that was!
Over the past 4 years or so, Jeff enjoyed an extremely close link with things Formula One, working as a Steward at every F1 test session held here in the UK. Whether it be straight-line testing at an obscure airfield, or a multi-team test at Silverstone, Jeff was always there, and was always on hand to share his knowledge. Jeff knew the rules to the letter, and also knew how to curve them! If he could help an individual or team rather than hinder, help he would. Jeff had the art of being able to sow the seed of an idea so that the other person felt that they had come-up with the plan in the first place. That is the sign of a thoughtful and clever man.
Jeff enjoyed British Racing News, and whenever we met he would comment favourably on the latest edition. We will all miss Jeff, some because they can get away more easily with their political correctness, but many because a great character has been taken from us.
I would like to express my grateful thanks to Jeff’s good friend John Brookes for his assistance in writing this tribute.
